USA: Mars invests $70 million in New Jersey facility
FMCG giant Mars has announced a $70 million investment in R&D and food manufacturing at its site in Hackettstown, New Jersey. In a press release, Mars said the upgraded New Jersey site would include a new prototyping kitchen, packaging lab, and collaboration space with the intent of increasing innovation and development to meet consumer preferences. […]
USA: Sazerac acquires ready-to-drink cocktail brand BuzzBallz
Global spirits company Sazerac has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire BuzzBallz, a US ready-to-drink cocktail brand, for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2009 by Merilee Kick, BuzzBallz is described as a woman-led and family-operated distillery, winery and brewery, renowned for its spherically-shaped RTD cocktails. BuzzBallz’s portfolio also includes includes brands such as […]
Canada: 7UP brand enters alcoholic drinks via vodka cocktail launch
Labatt Breweries, a leading Canadian drinks company, has announced the entry of the 7UP soft drinks brand into the alcoholic drinks space with the launch of SVNS Hard 7UP, a ready-todrink cocktail that is said to combine the lemon-lime flavour of PepsiCo’s 7Up with vodka-based alcohol. Designed to capture the attention and preferences of the […]
USA: Dollar Tree announces plans to close nearly 1,000 stores
Dollar Tree, the largest discount retailer in the US, has announced plans to close nearly 1,000 stores, following a “a store portfolio review”. The retailer said it intended to initially close 600 Family Dollar stores, with a further 370 Family Dollar outlets and 30 Dollar Tree stores also expected to be shuttered over the coming […]
USA: Tyson Foods to close Iowa plant
Tyson Foods, the leading US meat firm, has announced the closure of a pork processing plant in Perry, IA. According to sources, the decision to permanently shutter the facility follows a number of other optimisations to its manufacturing network, including the closure of six chicken plants, in 2023. Reuters reports that the firm had recently […]
USA: Aldi to open 800 new stores over five years
Aldi, the German retail giant, has announced it plans to add 800 new stores to its US network by 2028 through a combination of new store openings and store conversions. The retailer is aiming to increase its presence in the Northeast and Midwest, adding nearly 300 stores in both regions by end of 2028. In […]
USA: Sugar Foods acquires Concord Foods
Sugar Foods, a manufacturer of toppings, croutons, beverage ingredients and pizza toppings owned by Pritzker Private Capital, has announced the acquisition of Concord Foods, a leading US provider of retail foods and bespoke ingredients. Previously owned by Arbor Investments, Concord Foods is described as a premier supplier of custom ingredients and retail food products, catering […]
USA: Kraft Heinz Not Company expands Oscar Mayer brand into meat substitutes
Kraft Heinz Not Company, the joint venture between Kraft Heinz and TheNotCompany, has announced the launch of NotHotDogs and NotSausages, the first plant-based offerings under the Oscar Mayer brand. According to the company, the new meat substitutes offer a smoky, savoury taste, meaty colour, and thick, juicy bite, and will be available in bratwurst and […]
USA: Unilever boosts production capacity for drinks brand Liquid IV
Consumer goods major Unilever has announced plans to invest $80 million to expand its facility in Jefferson City, MO for the manufacture of the functional powder mix Liquid IV. Liquid IV was acquired by Unilever in 2020 with the aim of strengthening the company’s presence in the health and wellness category, and is said to […]
USA: Del Monte Foods announces closure of two canned vegetable plants
Del Monte Foods, a subsidiary of consumer goods major Del Monte Pacific, has announced plans to close a green bean manufacturing plant in Markesan, WI and a tinned sweetcorn and peas plant in Toppenish, WA, according to reports in Just Food and Food Business News. The closures are said to be expected by the end […]