Nestle May Sell Minority Stake in Fort Worth, Texas-Based Eye-Care Company.

Byline: Jim Fuquay

Oct. 20--FORT WORTH, Texas--Alcon Laboratories' corporate parent, Nestle of Switzerland, said Friday that it may sell a minority stake in the Fort Worth medical company as early as next year, a move that would give Alcon its own publicly traded stock.

Nestle, the world's largest food maker, has owned Alcon since 1977. It said the move would boost its own financial strength and provide a way to invest in Alcon directly.

Alcon is the No. 1 maker of eye care products, with $2.55 billion in sales last year. It employs about 2,600 people at its south Fort Worth campus and more than 11,000 worldwide.

"I expect that little will change at Alcon," Alcon Chairman Tim Sear said in a prepared statement. "Our facilities will stay where they are, and we will continue to work hard to keep our reputation as one of the best companies to work for. I will remain Alcon's chief executive officer, and the management and operation of our business will continue as usual."

While the spinoff was described as being in the exploratory stage, Nestle's chief executive, Peter Breback, sounded ready to move Friday.

"Alcon has grown to become the worldwide leader in eye care," Brabeck said. "Given the size and growth profile of the business, we believe that value can be enhanced for Nestle's shareholders and for Alcon by separating the two operations."