Deals
Louis Dreyfus in Talks to Sell Equity Stakes to Key Partners
- Dreyfus is said to hold talks with traders in Japan and China
- CEO McIntosh wants to expand business beyond bulk agri trading
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Louis Dreyfus Co. is holding talks with investors about selling equity stakes in the agriculture trader, potentially opening up the family-controlled business to outside capital for the first time in its 168-year history.
Chief Executive Officer Ian McIntosh said the company is seeking partners to buy equity and help it expand in fast-growing emerging markets, like China. While Dreyfus has traditionally dominated bulk commodity trading like sugar and cotton, profit margins in the business are shrinking. McIntosh’s strategy to revive growth is to push Dreyfus into business lines that are closer to the consumer.