Tuesday 2 October 2018

The amazing rise to prominence of activist investor Nelson Peltz


Nelson Peltz is one of the most prominent activist investors in the country today.  His reputation is the result of several decades of hard work and the development of one of the shrewdest approaches in the world of strategic activism. 

Image source: forbes.com


It all started over 50 years ago when Peltz dropped out of Wharton.  While he wanted to become a ski instructor, he was forced to become a delivery truck driver for his family business.  It was perhaps providence when his father gave the younger Peltz substantial control of the business, which supplied fresh produce to New York restaurants.


Image source: thefamouspeople.com

In a span of 10 years, Peltz learned the ins and outs of the business and bought a number of food companies.  In 1972, Peltz and his brother, Robert, took their company, Flagstaff Corp., public.  At the time, the business was worth $150 million.


In the ‘80s, Peltz wanted to acquire new companies and invested in Triangle Industries, a vending machine and wire company.  In less than five years, Peltz took Triangle Industries and made it a Fortune 100 industrial company, before selling it to Pechiney.


In the ‘90s, Peltz would go on to earn several more business victories, most notable of which is the acquisition of Snapple from Quaker Oats.  Peltz then sold Snapple, along with other beverage businesses to Cadbury Schweppes to open the new century. 

Jon McKee Queen is currently working with Amatex Capital, a private equity firm that pursues special situations and arbitrage opportunities in Ukraine. For more reads like this, visit this page.

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