But a spokeswoman for the capital management firm told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Oaktree does not comment publicly on its activities.” A spokesman from R&R also refused to comment.
Private equity
The business, which is expected to attract interest from other private-equity firms, could sell for $1bn, according to The Wall Street Journal report.
The ice cream firm was formed in 2006 when Oaktree combined
Last month, James Lambert, ceo and executive chairman of R&R Ice Cream, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that the firm was looking to acquire more European businesses this year after buying several last year. "We are looking for a business in
In December 2011, R&R acquired German ice cream manufacturer Durigon Gelato for and undisclosed sum.
Compete with Unilever
The German firm added about 50M litres of capacity to R&R, bringing its total to near 1bn litres.
Speaking at the time, Lambert said the acquisition would allow R&R to consolidate its position as the second largest player in the European ice cream market and allow it to better compete with market leader, Unilever.
“Ice cream manufacturers can only compete with Unilever if they are on a big scale,” he said.
Also in December 2011, R&R forged a deal with Kraft Foods to market a range of premium ice cream products including the Toblerone and Milka brands.
Earlier in the year, R&R acquired Pilpa, the ice cream division of French firm Maison Boncolac for about €17.65M plus stock options valued at a further €9M.
R&R makes own-label ice cream for European retailers and has licensing deals with Nestlé and Kraft Foods.
The Los Angeles-based Oaktree manages assets valued at $74.9bn.
