Turkish owner unites Godiva, McVitie's in new London company

LONDON (AP) - Turkey's Yildiz Holding says it is uniting its chocolate and biscuit brands - including Godiva Chocolatier and United Biscuits - into a new London-based company.

The new company, Pladis, will have revenue of $5.2 billion and operations in 120 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. It will employ 26,000 people.

Company CEO Cem Karakas said the product formulas will be unchanged. The goal is to eventually take the new company public, a move that won't be affected by whether Britain leaves the European Union in a June 23 referendum.

He said: "We are investing in the U.K. and we will stay in the U.K."

The company's brands will include Godiva, McVitie's, and Ulker, a player in Turkey and the Middle East.