Premier Foods agrees exclusive partnership with oils and fats supplier AAK
Premier Foods, which makes well-known British brands Ambrosia, Batchelors, Bisto, Hovis, Loyd Grossman, Mr. Kipling, Oxo and Sharwood’s, has worked with AAK for more than 20 years, but it said the new partnership would allow “true co-development opportunities” for new technologies and innovations related to oils, fats and related food ingredients.
The company said the partnership was part of its ‘Invest to Grow’ programme, which aims to strengthen relationships with existing suppliers.
“Innovation is vital for the food manufacturing sector if it is to continue to produce nutritious and affordable food for a growing population in a very competitive environment,” AAK UK managing director Martin Craven said in a statement. “Health, sustainability and manufacturing efficiency are key concerns. We believe that these can be most effectively addressed in the context of a committed partnership between supplier and manufacturer.”
No one from either company returned calls for additional comment prior to publication. However, Craven told our sister publication, FoodManufacture.co.uk, that the deal would double AAK's volume sales to Premier Foods, and areas for collaboration could include shelf life and fat reduction.
Premier Foods’ group procurement director Mark Hughes said the company needed top quality suppliers to help it meet its pledge to be ‘The Best in British Food’.
“The development of long-term partnerships is an excellent way to ensure we can continue to innovate in support of our brands,” he said. “We are looking forward to working more closely with AAK, whose relevant technical skills are of highest possible calibre and whose products and technologies can be found in every food category across every region of the world.”
Apart from its production facilities in the UK, AAK also has plants in Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, Uruguay and the USA. It specialises in value-added vegetable oils and fats, with its business split into three areas: food ingredients, chocolate & confectionery fats, and technical products & feed.
