Dutch animal food producer Provimi is confident that its takeover by U.S. group Cargill Inc. can be completed by the end of this year, Chief Executive Ton van der Laan told Dow Jones Newswires Monday.

Consultations with working councils will be conducted within the next two weeks, van der Laan said, adding that the EUR1.5 billion deal requires cartel and other authority approval.

Provimi's Chief Financial Officer Michel Cup told Dow Jones Newswires there are no forced lay-offs planned as a consequence of the takeover, and the Provimi brand name will be kept.

Provimi and Cargill complement each other in terms of regional presence as well as product portfolio, van der Laan said.

The Dutch animal nutrition business, owned by private equity company Permira, attracted interest from Dutch peers Nutreco NV (NUO.AE) and DSM NV (DSM.AE).

Nutreco declined to comment on news of the takeover, saying only that it will move forward with its strategy of both organic growth and growth through acquisitions. DSM couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

-By Bart Koster, Dow Jones Newswires; +31 20 5715 204; bart.koster@dowjones.com