Cereal boxes evolve to address need for speed
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 12th December 2019: Highlighting continued interest in on-the-go breakfast options, this month’s Innovation Insight looks at a new packaging concept aiming to bring the traditional breakfast cereal format in line with prevailing consumer trends – Nestle Box Bowls Cereal. Essentially a reinvention of single-serve breakfast cereal multipacks, […]
India: Varun Beverages expands capacity in Zimbabwe
Varun Beverages, the Indian soft drinks firm, is expanding production capacity in Africa with the inauguration of the second phase of its bottling plant in the Zimbabwean capital Harare, according to a report in Food Businesss Africa. The expanded plant, a franchise bottling operation for PepsiCo, now features three further production lines, in addition to the first PET […]
Australia: Carlton & United Breweries to acquire Balter Brewing
AB InBev subsidiary Carlton & United Breweries has announced the acquisition of Balter Brewing, a craft brewer based in Gold Coast, Australia, for an undisclosed sum. Balter Brewing, which brews a range of pale ales and lagers, is said to have witnessed strong growth since launching in 2016. The company said the the deal would help it achieve […]
USA: Kroger sells stake in Lucky’s Market
Kroger, the leading US grocery retailer, has announced it has divested its stake in Lucky’s Market, a Colorado-based chain of food stores specializing in organic products. The disposal comes less than four years after the two firms announced a “strategic partnership”, with Kroger making a “meaningful investment” that was designed to increase Lucky’s Market’s store […]
Italy: Bauli expands into sports nutrition with Maxsport stake
Bauli, the Italian bakery firm, is expanding into the sports nutrition market with the acquisition of a majority stake in Slovakian supplement firm MaxSport, according to a report in Startitup. MaxSport, which markets products such as pasta, protein shakes, nut butter, protein snacks and snack bars in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and over 30 other countries, […]
USA: PepsiCo agrees deal to acquire PopCorners brand
PepsiCo, the leading food and drinks multinational, has announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire BFY Brands, the makers of the PopCorners snack line, for an undisclosed sum. The firm said the addition of BFY Brands would expand Frito-Lay’s snacking portfolio and “further deliver on its Winning with Purpose vision to offer consumers more […]
Canada: Hostess Brands to acquire Voortman Cookies
Hostess Brands, the US bakery firm, has announced it has acquired Voortman Cookies, a “rapidly growing” manufacturer of wafers, sugar-free and specialty biscuits, from Swander Pace Capital for approximately $320 million. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Burlington, Canada, Voortman Cookies is described as the number one player in creme wafers and sugar free cookies, with distribution […]
Sweden: Arla to close Gefleortens dairy business
Arla, the Danish milk processor, is to shut its Gefleortens business in Sweden, according to a FoodBev report, in a further sign of the pressures facing the global dairy sector. Gefleortens, which Arla acquired in 2017, is based in Gavle, north of Stockholm, and produces a range of dairy products including milk, cream and yoghurt. […]
Australia: Lion Australia to sell dairy division to Mengniu
Lion Australia, the Kirin-owned Australian food and drinks manufacturer, has announced it has reached an agreement to sell its Dairy & Drinks business to Chinese dairy firm Mengniu in a deal valued at A$600 million ($406 million). The sale includes all white milk, milk-based drinks, yoghurt, juice and water ice brands and assets, as well as Lion […]
Brazil: M. Dias Branco pulls plug on new factory
M. Dias Branco, the leading Brazilian biscuit and pasta firm, has announced it has abandoned plans to construct a new factory in Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais state, according to a report in New Trade. The company had originally announced the R$305.6 million ($72 million) scheme in 2014, with the intention of using the […]