Spain: Ferrero to transform ice cream facility into European hub
Ferrero, the Italian confectionery group, is investing €140 million (approximately $162 million) to modernize its Ice Cream Factory Comaker (ICFC) plant in Alzira, Valencia, transforming it into its new European technology hub for ice cream development. The substantial investment is part of a long-term growth plan to strengthen the company’s branded ice cream portfolio across […]
Austria: SalzburgMilch and Pinzgau Milch plan strategic merger
Austrian dairy processors SalzburgMilch and Pinzgau Milch Produktions plan to merge, creating a joint company with a combined annual turnover of €520 million (approximately $563 million). The consolidation effort aims to leverage synergies across all operational areas, extending their existing production collaboration into milk collection, processing, logistics, sales and administration. The merged entity will be […]
South Africa: Tiger Brands to open bakery facility
Tiger Brands, the leading South African packaged goods group, has committed 1 billion ZAR ($59 million) to construct a new bakery plant in Klerksdorp, in South Africa’s North West province, specifically to boost capacity for its dominant Albany bread brand. The significant investment, which the company claims is part of its long-term strategy to modernise […]
Italy: Barilla invests €20 million in Parma plant
Barilla, the Italian pasta, sauces and bakery firm, has inaugurated its new Barilla Innovation & Technology Experience (BITE) centre in Parma, Italy, as its most significant investment in recent years to accelerate global research and development across its product portfolio. The 14,000 sq mfacility, designed to act as a global innovation hub for over 100 […]
Sweden: Arla announces €6 million expansion for cottage cheese production
Arla, the European farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has committed to investing nearly €6 million ($7.4 million) to significantly boost cottage cheese capacity at its Falkenberg site in Sweden. The investment, which is reportedly driven by record demand for high-protein, low-fat products such as quark and cottage cheese, aims to increase the annual output of its popular […]
‘Energy’ bakery & snacks trending low-carb, low-calorie
Insight by Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 15th December 2025: Consumer demand for convenient, on-the-go energy is reshaping bakery and snack innovation, but perhaps in ways not immediately obvious. In this month’s Insight by Gama Compass, we explore how the notion of ‘energy’ continues to reshaped away from sugar-packed bars and calorie-dense snacks towards a health-first notion of […]
UK: LDC takes majority stake in poultry specialist Gressingham Foods
French agri-food giant LDC has secured a majority stake in UK duck and speciality poultry producer Gressingham Foods, strengthening its manufacturing presence in the British market. The transaction was completed with the Buchanan family, Gressingham’s founders, via their operating company Green Label Holdings. The acquisition of Green Label Holdings, which employs around 700 staff, was […]
USA: Bettani Farms buys three plant-based brands
Bettani Farms, the US-based alternative protein startup, has rapidly expanded its product portfolio by acquiring three challenger brands: plant-based meat supplier Hungry Planet and vegan cheese producers Numu and Stockeld Dreamery. The Californian firm, which rebranded from Climax Foods in October following a $6.5 million Series A raise, is grouping the businesses under a new […]
Japan: JTI to build new manufacturing facility in Romania
Japan Tobacco International (JTI), the global tobacco company, has announced plans to construct a new state-of-the-art factory in Stefanestii de Jos, Ilfov County, Romania, to replace its current manufacturing site in Bucharest, which the company claimed has reached its spatial limits. Construction work on the new facility is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, […]
USA: Perfetti Van Melle expands Airheads brand into soft drinks
Perfetti Van Melle (PVM), the global confectionery leader, has broadened its North American portfolio by launching a new line of Airheads-branded carbonated soft drinks across the US. The Italian-Dutch group, known for confectionery brands including Mentos and Chupa Chups, confirmed the launch in partnership with Fire Brands, which has developed the new Airheads Soda line. […]