Merloni Ups its Stake in UK's GDA Jan 12, 2004

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Italian appliance maker Merloni Elettrodomestici announced that it has purchased another 8 percent of UK appliance brand GDA from General Electric (GE) for U.S. $57.1 million.

The purchase was carried out by exercising a "put" option that was part of a "put and call" agreement signed between Merloni and GE in June 2002. The increase brings Merloni's stake in GDA, maker of Hotpoint appliances, to 68 percent.

According to a Reuters report, Merloni, whose brands include Indesit and Ariston, said last year that it wants to be Europe's biggest white goods manufacturer in 3 years, with plans to take market share from leading rivals Whirlpool Corp. and Electrolux.

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