Kiwifruit merger back on track

The stalled merger proposal between EastPack and Satara is now back on the table after the Satara Board of Directors unanimously agreed to ask their shareholders in one of the special interest groups for a second vote.

This follows that sector group narrowly voting the merger down last Friday by 0.2% below the required 75% threshold.

Overall, 85% of Satara shareholders who voted were in favour of the proposed merger, while 97% of the EastPack shareholders voted for the merger.

Chairmen of the two companies, Ray Sharp and Hendrik Pieters said that the most pleasing aspect is that the whole Satara Board now supports the merger whereas three directors were previously opposed.

The meeting date of the new vote is 14 March but only for Special Interest Group 2.

The EastPack and the four other Satara interest groups won't be required to vote again as they've already indicated overwhelming support for the merger.