Sika chair braces for Saint-Gobain takeover

BAAR, Switzerland — Sika’s chairman says he anticipates Saint-Gobain’s hostile takeover of the Swiss chemicals firm to be wound up by year’s end. Paul Haelg is now focused on the terms of the deal, saying that he’s prepared to negotiate with Sika’s founding family, who want to sell their controlling stake for Fr. 2.75 billion, about the price. “We have much more freedom to do an attractive offer based on the current share price; we are ready any time if the family wants to talk,” he told Reuters.