ROME: Italy’s Ali Group is planning an improved offer for Welbilt Inc, a US maker of food-service equipment backed by billionaire Carl Icahn, according to people familiar with the matter.

       Milan-based Ali Group, which supplies gelato dispensers and other equipment, had previously offered US$3.3bil (RM13.72bil) in cash for Welbilt, or US$23 (RM95.61) a share.

       It’s seeking to outbid Middleby Corp., which previously had agreed to buy Welbilt for about US$2.9bil (RM12.bil), or US$0.124 (RM0.52) Middleby share for each Welbilt stock. — Bloomberg