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VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories eurig Green Mountain, Inc., a personal beverage system company that has revolutionized the way consumers create and enjoy beverages, and JAB Holding Company ("JAB") have announced that the companies have entered into a defnitive merger agreement under which a JAB-led investor group will acquire Keurig Green Mountain for $92.00 per share in cash, or a total equity value of approximately $13.9 billion. The agreement, which has been unanimously approved by Keurig Green Mountain's board of directors, represents a premium of approximately 77.9 percent over Keurig Green Mountain's closing stock price on Dec. 4, 2015. JAB is acquiring Keurig Green Mountain in partnership with strategic minority investors who are already shareholders in Jacobs Douwe Egberts B.V., including Mondelez International and entities affliated with BDT Capital Partners. At the close of the transaction, Keurig Green Mountain will be privately owned and will continue to be operated independently by the company's management team and employees. Keurig Green Mountain will remain headquartered in Waterbury, VT. The transaction is not subject to a fnancing condition and is expected to close during the frst calendar quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. K Investor Group Buys Keurig Green Mountain For $13.9 Billion billion. The transaction expands Snyder's-Lance's footprint in "better-for-you" snacking and increases the company's existing natural food channel presence. AVT Shareholder Leads Capital Raise To Help Company Exit Chapter 11 ▶ AVT, Inc. announced that a prominent shareholder in the company and a distinguished businessman, is leading an effort to raise capital to help the company exit Chapter 11. "I am a huge fan and an ardent supporter of AVT because I have an under- standing of the market and of the company's potential," said John Knipf. "I have always been proactive in my approach to business, and I am looking forward to help- ing fund AVT's exit strategy to get out of Chapter 11, and get back to the business of executing on its business plan, current opportunities, and future goals." NAMA Foundation Announces 2015 Undergraduate Scholarship Winners ▶ The NAMA Foundation recently announced the recipients for its 2015 undergraduate scholar- ship program. The program awarded post-high school non-renewable scholar- ships of $2,500 to three recipients who were chosen at random. The three win- ners are: James C. Daniels, Warren, OH, sponsored by AVI Foodsystems; Melissa McCann, Fontana, CA, spon- sored by Betson Enterprises; Thomas Porath, Lexington, NE, sponsored by VVS, Inc. The purchase of Keurig Green Mountain is expected to close during the first calendar quarter of 2016. Liberty Enterprises, LightSpeed Partner On New Blind Initiative ▶ Aurora, CO-based vending operation Liberty Enterprises and LightSpeed Automation have joined forces in an effort to modify LightSpeed's ware- house picking solution for blind and visually impaired operators. "Blind opera- tors want to run successful businesses and would love to compete for vending opportu- nities outside of the govern- ment contracts," stated Gary Nelson, president and CEO of Liberty Enterprises. "We want to grow our business just as much as other operators and if technology gives us the chance to compete for that, then I'm excited to be a part of this project." In addition to LightSpeed's warehouse picking solution, Liberty Enterprises will be working closely with LightSpeed in development of Level – their advanced inventory solution. Snyder's-Lance, Inc. To Acquire Diamond Foods, Inc. ▶ Snyder's-Lance, Inc. and Diamond Foods, Inc. announced that they have entered into a defnitive agreement under which Snyder's-Lance will acquire all outstanding shares of Diamond Foods in a cash and stock merger transac- tion for approximately $1.91 6 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com December 2015