Tradeshow Insight: Gulfood 2026
Held from 26th to 30th January, Gulfood 2026 marked a significant structural change for the annual event by operating simultaneously across two venues for the first time: the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai. This expansion brought the total event space to over 280,000 sq m, […]
UK: Aldi to invest £370 million in store expansion
Aldi, the German discount supermarket chain, has announced a capital investment of £370 million ($504 million) to open 40 new stores across the UK in 2026. The expansion plan, which forms part of a broader £1.6 billion ($2.2 billion) two-year investment strategy, aims to address “geographic gaps” in the retailer’s estate. Confirmed locations for the […]
USA: Western Smokehouse Partners acquires Junior’s Smokehouse
Western Smokehouse Partners, the Illinois-based meat snacks manufacturer, has acquired Junior’s Smokehouse Processing, a Texas-based producer of jerky and smoked sausages, for an undisclosed sum. The transaction adds a manufacturing facility in El Campo, Texas, to Western Smokehouse’s existing network, which includes plants in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Idaho. The company also announced plans to […]
Sweden: Paulig to shutter spices factory in Molndal
Paulig, the Finnish food and beverage company, has announced plans to end production at its spices factory in Molndal, Sweden and consolidate operations into its existing facility in Saue, Estonia. The decision, reportedly driven by rising input costs and a need to improve competitiveness, will affect 105 employees in total, comprising all 86 workers at the […]
USA: Campbell’s Soup to close Massachusetts snacks plant
Campbell’s Soup has announced plans to close its snacks manufacturing facility in Hyannis (MA), and consolidate production of its Cape Cod and Kettle Brand crisps at other US sites. The closure, scheduled to conclude by April, will impact 49 employees. The Hyannis plant, which has been in operation since 1985, currently produces approximately 4% of […]
USA: Alpenrose to close Clackamas dairy plant
Alpenrose Dairy, the historic Oregon dairy company owned by Smith Brothers Farms, has announced it will close its manufacturing facility in Clackamas (OR), marking the end of its production operations in the state. The facility, which produces butter, sour cream, and ice cream mix, is scheduled to cease operations on 31st March. The closure will […]
USA: Rich Products acquires Great Kitchens Food Company
Rich Products, the US-based family-owned food company, has acquired Great Kitchens from private equity firm Brynwood Partners for an undisclosed sum. The transaction sees Rich Products take ownership of North America’s largest manufacturer of private label take-and-bake pizzas, which also produces flatbreads, strombolis, and calzones. The deal includes the acquisition of the Uno Foods brand, […]
USA: Violet Foods acquires Muir Glen from General Mills
Violet Foods, the US-based tomato products manufacturer backed by private equity firm Amphora Equity Partners, has acquired the organic tomato brand Muir Glen from General Mills for an undisclosed sum. The transaction sees General Mills divest the 35-year-old brand as part of its ongoing portfolio reshaping strategy, which recently included the $2.1 billion sale of […]
France: Danone enters meal replacement category with Alpro launch
Danone, the French food giant, has expanded its Alpro plant-based portfolio with the launch of Meal to Go, a new range of meal replacement drinks designed to capture the growing on-the-go nutrition market. The new line, which has initially rolled out in Belgium and Germany, marks the brand’s first foray into the complete nutrition category. […]
USA: Charcuterie Artisans acquires La Quercia
Charcuterie Artisans, the US premium cured meats platform backed by private equity firm Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), has acquired Iowa-based artisanal brand La Quercia for an undisclosed sum. The transaction sees La Quercia join a portfolio that already includes Daniele International and Creminelli Fine Meats. Founded in 2005 by Herb and Kathy Eckhouse, La Quercia […]