UK-based United Biscuits (UB) may have attracted bidders from Asia and major companies like Kraft and PepsiCo amid rumours the company has split its operations into a snacks and biscuit division, according to an analyst.
Scottish-based Nisha Enterprises has acquired Millar Confectionery for an undisclosed fee and plans to open a new sweet factory in Livingston, Scotland.
The £34.7M sale of Premier Foods’ four Irish brands, Chivers, Gateaux, McDonnells and the Erin licence, to the Boyne Valley Group underline worries about the food giant’s ability to generate cash, one leading analyst has warned.
British bakery firm, Warburtons, has announced plans to invest and diversify its business over the next ten years, both in the UK and abroad as it sees strong performance in gluten-free and eastern European markets.
French dairy giant Danone says it is refocusing its Chinese dairy operations after suspending operations at a yogurt facility in Shanghai, while Nestlé has closed an ice cream facility in the country.
JK Sucralose’s upgrade to a facility in China, which will be completed by June next year, is set to more than double the sweetener supplier’s annual capacity in the short term, and narrow the gap with market leader Tate & Lyle.
UK-based Premier Foods has reached an agreement to sell its chilled bakery business Brookes Avana to the 2 Sisters Group as it focuses on eight ‘power brands’.
Bakery ingredients firm Puratos has announced plans to build a €22m site in China and production facilities in Spain and Mexico as it looks to seize upon strong growth in emerging markets.
Danish company Palsgaard said a US $30m emulsifier factory located in Malaysia will be operational in just over 12 months and will bring the company closer to the supply of its key raw material - palm oil.
When French firm Iranex announced in November that it was merging Bio Serae Laboratoires and Colloides Naturels International (CNI) to form Nexira (an anagram of Iranex), some wondered about the wisdom of scrapping two established and recognised brands.
Greencore has ended talks with an anonymous bidder for the food group with the Irish firm citing the financial crisis as the reason for the deal to have fallen through.
Developing markets are to make up almost half of revenues for Kraft’s global snacks business as the spin-off business announces Irene Rosenfeld as its head.
SABMiller has gained final regulatory approval from the Australian Federal Treasurer for the acquisition of Foster's, following a recommendation from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
The second largest player on the Romanian chocolate market Kandia Dulce has acquired former competitor Supreme Chocolat, the third largest player, which could put pressure on market leader Kraft, according to an analyst.
Norwegian firm Orkla Brands has announced the sale of its bakery unit Bakers to the retail group NorgesGruppen for an undisclosed fee as retailers augment their dominance on the Norwegian bakery market.
The United States’ biggest farmer-owned cooperative CHS Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire soy protein company Solbar for $133m, sending share prices in the Israeli company soaring.
Nestle has announced plans to expand production of its Wagner brand of frozen pizzas following a 400% export boost since Nestle acquired the brand in 2005.
Scottish food group Baxters has moved to secure a “strong foothold” in the canned meat market after completing a deal with Princes for the acquisition of the Fray Bentos brand.
Irish dairy ingredients and cheese manufacturer Glanbia could be on the look-out for acquisitions again in 2012, according to an analyst based in the country.
Unilever is likely to sell its low-margin food business to fund further acquisitions on the personal care side, particularly in the emerging markets, claims Fitch Ratings in a recent commentary note.
Spanish chocolate confectionery market leader Nestle has invested €10m on a new production line its factory in La Penilla de Cayon to drive growth in the Mediterranean.
Analysts expect a modest element of recovery for ABF Ingredients in the year, driven primarily by the fact its Chinese yeast facility is now operational and can generate greater economy of scale.
Swedish ingredients firm AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) has announced improved sales and operating profit in its third quarter (Q3) results partly due to increased volumes from its acquisition of North American speciality fats business Golden Foods.
Arla Foods Ingredients says it is planning further ‘significant investments’ at its Danish whey processing plant, dedicated to the production of high-value dairy ingredients, over the next few years.
Premier Foods’ announcement that the banks have given it some breathing space represents a “modicum of respite for an embattled business” during a key trading period, claim market analysts.
The private equity owners of the Findus group are reportedly set to sell some of the frozen food group’s assets, a move that does not surprise industry analysts who cite its heavy debt burden and ill-fitting business units.
Tate & Lyle has delivered a solid first-half performance thanks to strong by-product returns, high-volume sucralose sales and performance-focused measures implemented under its new chief executive.
Chr. Hansen’s full-year results are in line with expectations, says an analyst, but positives noted were the suppliers’ expectations for its EBIT margin growth and the better performance for its probiotics division in Q4.
Switzerland-based Wild Flavors has finalised the acquisition of US based AM Todd, a producer of natural mint flavors and value-added mint ingredients, and also has specific technologies for organic flavors and ingredients.
Global group International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has opened a dedicated facility in Dubai, with an industry insider hailing the move as strategic in terms of leveraging growing demand in the Middle East and Africa.
Ferrero has announced plans to build a new factory in Turkey in the province of Manisa to leverage its position in a confectionery market that has grown 120% since 2004, according to figures from Mintel.
Bakery ingredients supplier CSM’s planned restructuring programme to offset weak consumer demand will result in 500 job losses, revealed the company when releasing its Q3 interim statement yesterday.
FMC Corporation has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Chilean natural colors and specialty ingredients firm South Pole Biogroup, as it looks to expand its food ingredients portfolio.
Fonterra says it fears it will lose around NZ $20m of milk a day after it was forced to close 15 of its 17 processing sites on North Island, following a break in a gas pipeline on Monday that led to operator Vector requesting that businesses do not use...
A management buyout in tandem with a private equity alliance could be a likely outcome in any change of ownership of Greencore, claims Shore Capital Stockbrokers, following the surprise news yesterday that the manufacturer had received a preliminary takeover...
The Swedish Competition Authority (Konkurrensverket) has approved Arla’s merger with struggling Swedish dairy processor Milko, which had faced bankruptcy in the event of the deal not going through.
Some 700 new jobs are set to be created in the sector after communities secretary Eric Pickles confirmed that he would not call-in Danish dairy cooperative Arla Foods’ application to build a new £150M dairy in Buckinghamshire.
Nestlé’s sales for the nine months to the end of September rose 7.3% to reach CHF60.89bn (€49.24bn), slightly short of expectations, but its positive European performance blindsided analysts.
Coffee roasting firms Kraft and Krüger have been hit by fines totaling €9m for allegedly fixing instant cappuccino coffee prices in Germany, activity that the nation's federal competition agency said most likely meant higher consumer prices.
Last year's severe summer drought in Russia has hit Danone’s third quarter (Q3) 2011 dairy sales in the country, with the French company forced to raise prices to end consumers due to higher ingredients costs.
CSM may be able to move out of the danger zone if pressures alleviate on the costs input side towards mid-2012 and if its new rationalization plan generates some significant cost savings, notes an analyst.
