USA: Keurig Dr Pepper acquires energy drink brand Limitless

Keurig Dr Pepper, the soft drinks and coffee firm, has acquired the caffeinated sparkling water brand Limitless for an undisclosed sum, according to a BevNET report. Founded in Chicago in 2016, Limitless produces calorie-free, sparkling water containing 35mg of caffeine per 12oz can. Reportedly inspired by “a passion for finding the cleanest caffeine possible”, the line […]
Australia: Schwarz Group abandons plan to open Kaufland stores

Schwarz Group, the retail giant behind the Lidl and Kaufland store chains, has announced it is abandoning plans, first reported in 2016, to open Kaufland stores in Australia. “After careful and thorough consideration, Kaufland has decided to undertake an orderly withdrawal from the Australian market”, Kaufland said in a statement, adding that it would be […]
Mexico: Nestle to invest $700 million in manufacturing plants

The Mexican arm of food and drink multinational Nestle has announced plans to invest $700 million to upgrade its 17 manufacturing plants to increase productivity, improve processes and expand production capacity. The investment includes $200 million, announced in November last year, for the first phase of a new coffee factory in Veracruz, which will process 20,000 tons of coffee […]
USA: Lindt & Sprungli to close Russell Stover manufacturing plant

Chocolate giant Lindt & Sprungli is to close a manufacturing plant operated by its subsidiary Russell Stover in Montrose, CO, with the loss of up to 400 jobs. The move is said to form part of changes to the company’s production, retail and distribution networks, which will also see the expansion of plants in Corsicana, TX […]
France: Coca-Cola announces €1 billion of investments

Coca-Cola, the global soft drinks giant, has announced plans to invest up to €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in France over the next five years in support of “sustainable development” and a broadening of its product portfolio. The firm said that, together with Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP), its primary French bottling partner, it planned to make a […]
USA: Quinoa Corporation acquires Pamela’s

Quinoa Corporation, a business trading as Ancient Harvest, has acquired US gluten-free peer Pamela’s, according to a statement from the former’s private equity investor Encore Consumer Capital. The deal, described as combining “two heritage gluten-free pioneers”, “more than doubles the business under Quinoa Corporation’s management, strengthens its ability to expand its retail footprint, and combines the […]
Look Ahead: Anne Schumacher, ISM 2020

Gama spoke to Anne Schumacher, Vice President Food & Food Technology of Koelnmesse GmbH, ahead of the 50th anniversary edition of ISM. What are your expectations for this 50th edition of ISM? Of course, we are looking forward to a great event. ISM is again very well positioned this year. With more than 1,750 exhibitors from […]
Finland: Fazer to close Yosa oat factory

Fazer, the Finnish dairy and confectionery firm, is considering closing a production facility for its Yosa brand of oat-based products, according to a FoodBev report. The plant in Kaarina, south-west Finland, is reportedly being shut as part of an efficiency drive, with production moving to another manufacturing site in the town of Koria. While noting […]
USA: Golden Island Jerky factory to close following sale to Jack Links

A factory in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA that manufactured products under the Golden Island Jerky brand is set to close following the sale of the company to meat snacks firm Jack Links, according to a report in the Orange County Register. The decision to close the factory was announced in December, and Jack Links has now confirmed […]
UK: Asda to trial refill stations at “sustainability store”

‘Big Four’ UK supermarket chain Asda has announced plans to address the challenge of reducing plastic waste by opening a “test and learn sustainability store” in Leeds that will allow consumers to bring in their own containers and refill with a variety of dried goods. Launching in May, the store will use dedicated refill stations to […]