Paris, France, October 10, 2006—U.S. Buyout firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is reported to be in exclusive negotiations to buy a controlling stake in Tarkett, the French floor maker, just as a rising share price threatens to derail its acquisition of PagesJaunes from France Télécom.
French newspaper La Tribune, citing sources close to the deal, reports that the buyout of Tarkett would be based on a valuation of €1.4bn ($1.7bn) against the company’s revenues in 2005 of €1.62bn.
The paper also reports that KKR’s move to acquire Pages Jaunes has hit a hurdle after the share price of the directories company rose above KKR’s offer.
