Tradeshow Look Back: Sabine Schommer, ISM 2024

Gama spoke to Sabine Schommer, Director of ISM, following the latest edition of the confectionery and snacks tradeshow. How would you sum up this year’s ISM? We set high expectations for ourselves at this year’s ISM, and I’m pleased to say that those expectations were met. Following the one-time postponement of ISM in 2023, this year saw 1,427 […]
India: Lotte Wellfood to set up new production line at Haryana facility

Confectionery giant Lotte Wellfood has announced plans to invest 200 crore INR ($27.37 million) to set up a new line for the production of its chocolate-coated biscuit product Lotte Pepero in the northern Indian state of Haryana. The new facility, benefitting from automated equipment, is designed to meet global export demand, introduce Original and Crunchy […]
USA: Trek One Capital acquires Alter Eco Foods

Trek One Capital, a US investment group, has announced the acquisition of organic chocolate brand Alter Eco Foods from fellow investors NextWorld Evergreen. Founded in 2004, Alter Eco Foods is described as a manufacturer of organic dark chocolate bars, truffles, granola, and quinoa, and markets its products in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. […]
USA: Bansk Group acquires majority stake in No Man’s Land Foods

Bansk Group, a private investment firm dedicated to building consumer brands, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in No Man’s Land Foods, a manufacturer of meat snacks, for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1997 in Oklahoma, No Man’s Land Foods is a leading provider of jerky and meat sticks. The brand is said […]
UK: Innovatus Drinks acquires spirit brand Sollasa

Innovatus Drinks, the UK spirits company known for brands such as Horse Guards Gin, Barentsz Gin, Pedrino Spritz and Wing Walker Rum, has added to its portfolio with the acquisition of spirit-based aperitif Sollasa for an undisclosed sum. Launched in 2021, Sollasa is described as a light refreshing spirit with a blend of Indian-inspired flavours […]
USA: Panos acquires Tessemae’s salad dressing brand

Panos, a producer of branded consumer foods, has announced the acquisition of Tessemae’s, a specialist in refrigerated and shelf-stable organic salad dressings, for $4.5 million. The acquisition follows Tessemae’s decision to file for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its debts. Founded in 2009, Tessemae’s grew rapidly to secure distribution in national grocers, retailers […]
Tradeshow Look Ahead: Marina Calheiros, Lisbon Food Affair 2024

Gama spoke to Marina Calheiros, Coordinating Manager, ahead of the 2024 edition of Lisbon Food Affair. What are your expectations for Lisbon Food Affair 2024? What changes or new features have you introduced for this year’s event? The receptiveness of the market, particularly towards new companies, allows us to be optimistic with regard to achieving […]
Mexico: Gruma to build new baked goods factory

Gruma, the Mexican bakery firm, has announced plans to spend M$1.5 billion ($87.3 million) over the next six to eight years to build a new plant in Hunucma, Yucatan for the manufacture of tortillas, tostadas and packaged snacks. Reportedly intended to address escalating demand in the southeastern region of Mexico, the US and the Caribbean, the plant […]
Philippines: CCEP gets go-ahead for acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines

European soft drinks bottler Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has announced it has received approval from Philippine anti-trust regulators to buy peer Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI) from The Coca-Cola Company (KO), in a joint deal with investment fund Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV). Under the terms of the deal, CCEP holds a 60% stake in the acquired business, and AEV the […]
USA: Utz Brands sells brands, facilities to Our Home

Utz Brands, the US snacks company, has announced it is selling a number of brands and facilities to Our Home, an operating company of “better-for-you” brands, for a cash consideration of $182.5 million. Under the agreement, affiliates of Our Home have agreed to purchase the Good Health and RW Garcia brands, the Lincolnton (NC) and Lititz […]