Short Takes: A Review of Recent M&A Activity

Kroger Co. (KR) has purchased seven supermarkets from New Mexico-based Furrs Supermarkets Inc. The stores will operate under the Smith’s Food and Drug Store name. Additionally, Kroger has sold five of its Smith’s stores to Fleming Cos. Inc. (FLM). Neither transaction amount was disclosed.

German pharmaceutical maker Bayer AG finalized the acquisition of Aventis AG’s agricultural chemicals subsidiary, CropScience, for approximately $5 billion, including $1.7 billion in debt.

Boulder, Colo.-based Hauser Inc. (HAUS) announced it will sell its Hauser Laboratories division and has retained Oberman Associates Inc. to manage the sale.

Bio-One Corp., located in Orlando, Fla., intends to acquire Revenue Co., a 23-year-old nutritional supplements supplier and distributor. The terms of the acquisition include cash and restricted stock, with an expected closing within 90 days.

ANI Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Denver-based Advanced Nutraceuticals Inc. (ANII), has signed an agreement by which to acquire specific equipment, customer lists and other assets from York Pharmaceuticals Inc. for 210,000 shares of ANII stock.

Temple, Texas-based Vitawarehouse

.com Inc. (VITW) has acquired Titan Coffee and Distribution Inc. and has changed its operations from a nutritional company to a beverage service company. VITW changed its name to Texas Diversified Distributors Inc.

DrKoop.com Inc. (KOOP) announced it has acquired the operating assets of Detroit-based home infusion service provider IVonyx Group Services Inc. for $2 million in cash and 5 million shares of IVonyx’s common stock.

WellSpring Pharmaceutical Corp. of Neptune, N.J., announced the completion of the acquisition of the Shire Pharmaceutical Group’s (SHPGY) Canadian OTC product line, which includes its K-Lyte potassium dietary supplements. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Maximum Marketing Inc. has merged with Choice Sales and Marketing. The deal was completed through an all-cash transaction of an undisclosed amount.