Ramco

"A couple of weeks ago I was offering a project to a friend of mine, quite a big project that is a $100 million, and I said, 'Aren't you scared?'" the director of the real estate firm Ramco recalled.

Lebanon: Doom, Gloom and an Economic Boom 2010

"A couple of weeks ago I was offering a project to a friend of mine, quite a big project that is a $100 million, and I said, 'Aren't you scared?'" the director of the real estate firm Ramco recalled.

Lebanon: Doom, Gloom and an Economic Boom 2010

In the case of Ramco, Equity One offered to acquire the company in a stock-for-stock merger but didn't propose a set price.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009

Equity One bought nearly 10% of Ramco's stock on the open market before meeting last month with Ramco executives to propose merger talks.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009

In a sign that a cycle of consolidation may be afoot, shopping center REIT Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust announced late last month that it "received indications of interest" from third parties, including Equity One Inc.

REIT Sector Is Ripe for Mergers and Acquisitions 2009

Chaim Katzman It isn't clear that Mr. Katzman will be able to acquire Ramco at a 12.7% cap rate.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009

The overture, which Ramco has yet to embrace, is standard practice for Mr. Katzman, who started building his global real-estate empire in 1991 by buying Gazit, a shell company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and using it to raise money from Israeli investors.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009

Ramco, of Farmington Hills, Mich., owns 89 U.S. shopping centers.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009

Ramco didn't acquiesce, instead installing safeguards to thwart hostile bids and hiring Bank of America Merrill Lynch as an adviser.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009

Equity One Inc., made an unsolicited advance on smaller Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust.

Katzman Is Back on the Prowl to Expand His Global Empire 2009