USA: Kind launches nut-based range in major NPD push

Kind, the snack firm in which Mars has a minority interest, has announced a major NPD push that will take the company into the chilled and frozen space, as well as expanding its range of ambient snacks. Describing the product roll-out as “its biggest innovation expansion ever”, Kind said all the new items would be made […]
UK: Lucozade Ribena Suntory inaugurates new bottling line

Lucozade Ribena Suntory, the UK subsidiary of Japanese food and drinks giant Suntory, has inaugurated a new £13 million ($16.9 million) production line at the firm’s factory in Coleford, Gloucestershire. The new high-speed line fills 55,000 bottles an hour, enabling Lucozade Ribena Suntory to keep up with the demand for its expanding range of low-sugar […]
UAE: Agthia launches ‘Middle East first’ bioplastic bottle

Agthia, the leading Middle East food and beverage firm, has unveiled what is said to be the region’s first drinks bottle made from bioplastic. The new Plant Bottle for Agthia’s flagship Al Ain mineral water brand is described as being made from fermented sugars that are converted into a resin called polylactic acid. The pack is […]
USA: Hormel to expand manufacturing operations to Nebraska

Hormel, the leading US food manufacturer, is expanding its manufacturing operations to Nebraska with the opening of a new factory in Omaha, according to a Food Business News report. The building, said to be a former distribution centre for the now defunct Shopko retail chain, is set to undergo $60 million of renovations with a […]
UAE: Lulu to expand hypermarket footprint

Lulu, the Middle East grocery retailer, has announced its intention to add 20 new hypermarkets to its store network over the next two years, according to a report in Arabian business. The new stores will reportedly be spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, including in Khalifa City, Al Falah, and Riyadh City in Abu Dhabi, […]
Germany: DMK to sell ice cream plant to Schwarz Gruppe

DMK, the leading Germany dairy cooperative, has announced plans to sell its ice cream plant in Waldfeucht-Haaren, North Rhine-Westphalia to retail giant Schwarz Gruppe, which operates the Lidl and Kaufland businesses, for an undisclosed sum. Describing the move as being part of plans to “streamline its production network in the ice cream business unit”, DMK […]
USA: The Good Bean acquires Beanitos

The Good Bean, a California, US based maker of organic chickpea snacks, has acquired rival snack firm Beanitos, according to a report in NOSH.com The terms of the deal, which were not wholly disclosed, will reportly seen Good Bean take over Beanitos assets, including its products, recipes, branding and retailer relationships, without assuming any responsibility for the […]
UK: Unilever considering disposal of tea assets

Unilever, the FMCG multinational, is considering the sale of its tea division in light of declining sales. Speaking during a conference call to announce the firm’s Q4 results, Unilever CEO Alan Jope described the firm’s tea business, which includes the PG Tips and Lipton brands, as being “more mature […], consolidated […] and structurally slower growing”, and […]
USA: Tyson Foods to expand sandwich plant

Tyson Foods, the US firm predominantly active in the meat sector, is said to be investing $27 million to increase capacity at a factory in Caseyville, IL, USA that makes processed foods. The investment will see 100 new jobs created and three new production lines added, enabling Tyson Foods to increase capacity by 16 million […]
UK: Unilever mulls future of washing powder factory

Unilever, the multinational consumer goods giant, has announced it is undertaking a review of its washing powder factory in Warrington, UK in light of falling sales of powder detergents. The future of the plant, which manufactures Persil and Surf laundry powder and employs 123 staff, will be decided by the end of February, Unilever said. “Unilever […]