UK: Medina Dairy and Freshways Dairy merge

British dairy firms Medina Dairy and Freshways Dairy have announced a merger agreement to create a more sustainable and progressive dairy business. According to sources, the merged business called Medina Freshways Ltd is believed to have the “requisite scale and agility to compete with the two large players which dominate the dairy sector in the […]
Portugal: Paladin launches piri piri sauce with Cannabis

Portuguese brand of sauces and seasonings Paladin, owned by Mendes Goncalves, has announced the launch of a new product: a piri piri hot sauce with cannabis. According to sources, the hot sauce is produced with the seeds of Cannabis sativa L., an ingredient of natural origin that is now trending worldwide and is being increasingly […]
Netherlands: Refresco to acquire Hansa-Heeman

Independent drinks bottler Refresco has announced that set to acquire the Germany-based beverage company Hansa-Heeman. Hansa-Heeman, which employs around 800 people, manufactures drinks for both private labels and manufacturer brands. 60% of the firm’s volume is in mineral water, with the remaining 40% in carbonated soft drinks. Its annual revenue is approximately €300 million ($356 […]
France: Royal Unibrew to acquire Crazy Tiger energy drink

Danish beverage firm Royal Unibrew has signed an agreement to acquire French energy drink business MC Energy, owner of the Crazy Tiger brand, in a deal worth $97 million. Crazy Tiger reportedly holds around 10% volume share in the French energy drinks markets and employs 25 staff. Its flagship product is available in both bottles […]
UK: Morrisons agrees takeover deal

UK supermarket chain Morrisons has agreed on a takeover offer from a consortium led by US-based Fortress Investment Group in a deal worth $9.01 billion, according to BBC and FoodBev reports. Morrisons, which has around 500 outlets and a workforce of more than 110,000, had previously rejected a bid from another US private investment group […]
Russia: KDV Group to become primary investor in Hak

KDV Group, the Russia snacks, and confectionery firm, has agreed on a deal to become a leading shareholder in Hak, the Dutch vegetable business, by signing a preliminary purchase agreement to acquire a stake previously held by NPM Capital. KDV Group operates 15 factories and has a workforce of more than 20,000 employees. It sells […]
France: Danone to acquire majority stake in Harmless Harvest

French dairy multinational Danone has announced it has acquired a majority stake in Harmless Harvest, a US business offering coconut-based drinks and yoghurt, through its corporate venture arm Danone Manifesto Ventures (DMV). DMV first invested in Harmless Harvest in 2017 as part of a $30 million capital growth round. Founded in 2009, Harmless Harvest is […]
Denmark: Philip Morris International to acquire Fertin Pharma

Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced the acquisition of Fertin Pharma for DKK 5.1 billion (approximately USD 820 million). Fertin Pharma is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative pharmaceutical and well-being products, specializing in the research, development and production of gums, pouches, liquefiable tablets, and other solid oral systems for the delivery […]
Switzerland: Barry Callebaut to acquire Europe Chocolate Company

Swiss Barry Callebaut Group, manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, has signed an agreement to acquire Europe Chocolate Company (ECC), a Belgian privately-owned manufacturer of chocolate specialties and decorations. The acquisition will expand Barry Callebaut’s chocolate molding capabilities and allow the group to offer tailor-made solutions as well as cater to the increasing demand. […]
Italy: Italian Wine Brands to acquire Enoitalia

Italian Wine Brands (IWB), an Italian winery, has announced the acquisition of 100% of its peer Enoitalia for an equity value of €150 million ($179 million). With both companies each generating a little over €200 million ($239 million) in annual sales, the deal is set to create Italy’s largest private wine company. The acquisition of […]