Global FMCG leaders reconnect at the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards 2019
MANCHESTER – 14th October 2019: Last Thursday saw some of the leading names from the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector return to Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall for the 2019 edition of the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards (GICA). Representatives from the biggest names in the industry, including Unilever, Innocent, Essity, Tetra Pak and Sonae rubbed shoulders with dynamic […]
USA: Popchips sold to equity fund VMG Partners
VMG Partners, a US private equity fund specializing in consumer goods, has announced the acquisition of the Popchips brand in North America, and most international markets outside of the UK and Europe, via its newly-created “branded snacking platform” Velocity Snack Brands (VSB). Founded in 2007, Popchips is a “better for you” snack brand sold in supermarkets […]
UK: Valeo buys Matthew Walker pudding brand
Valeo, the Irish food firm, is to acquired the UK puddings business Bakery Foods, trading as Matthew Walker, from the UK food giant 2 Sisters in a deal worth £67 million ($85 million), according to a FoodBev report. Based in Derbyshire where it operates a factory employing 200 staff, Matthew Walker produces Christmas puddings, sponge […]
South Africa: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa strengthens in Kenya
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the Coca-Cola bottler, has acquired stakes in two Coca-Cola franchise bottlers in Kenya through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coca-Cola Sabco East Africa (CCSEA) for a combined sum of $194 million, according to a report in Food Business Africa. CCSEA has acquired the 53.9% stake in Almasi Beverages and 27.6% stake in Nairobi Bottlers previously owned by public East […]
USA: Hain Celestial divests Arrowhead Mills and SunSpire brands
North American natural and organic foods firm Hain Celestial has announced the latest in a series of divestments with the sale of the Arrowhead Mills and SunSpire brands to Hometown Food, a wholly-owned portfolio company of Brynwood Partners VII and Brynwood Partners VIII, for $15 million. The Arrowhead Foods lineup includes baking mixes, breakfast cereal, flour, pancakes, […]
USA: Frito-Lay invests again in Indiana plant
Frito-Lay, the snacking division of food and drinks giant PepsiCo, is investing $70 million to upgrade a prodjction facility in Frankfort, IN, according to a report in Inside Indiana Business. The investment is reportedly to be used to install a new snack production line as well as to expand an existing warehouse. 45 jobs are expected […]
UK: CCEP opens new canning line
Coca-Cola European Partners, the Coca-Cola bottler, has announced the opening of a new canning production line at its factory in Sidcup, UK at a cost of £16 million ($20 million). The firm said the new line was part of a £55 million($68 milliuon) investment into its Sidcup operations and would be dedicated to making CCEP’s latest […]
Germany: Meat firms Reinert and Kemper to merge
Reinert and Kemper, two of Germany’s largest manufacturers of sausage products, have announced they are to merge to form the second biggest meat processor in the country, with annual turnover of more than €700 million ($767 million). Named TFB The Family Butchers, the newly-created company will offer customers a wide portfolio ranging from value lines to […]
Singapore: Fraser and Neave opens Myanmar brewery
Fraser and Neave, the Singapore-based brewing firm, has announced it is returning to Myanmar with the start of commercial operations at its new Emerald Brewery in Hlegu Township, Yangon. The $70 million facility will brew and market Chang Lager beer, as well as building distribution across Myanmar. Annual beer capacity at the site will be 500,000 […]
Switzerland: Nestle launches plant-based burgers in North America and Europe
Consumer goods giant Nestle has announced it is expanding its plant-based food range with the launch of burger and imitation mince in the USA and Switzerland United States. The ingredients and recipes in the new line are said to be customized to meet local tastes, to “ look and cook” like raw beef and provide […]