USA: AB InBev buys Hiball Energy
Global beverage giant AB InBev has announced the acquisition of leading organic drink maker Hiball Energy, which produces energy drinks under the Hiball Energy brand and sparkling juices and sparkling waters under the Alta Palla brand. The acquisition, which will expand AB InBev’s presence in the non-alcoholic drinks sector, is aimed at supporting Hiball Energy and its brands […]
USA: Agave Loco launches FrappaChata alcoholic iced coffee
Alcohol beverage maker Agave Loco has announced a new line of ready-to-drink alcoholic iced coffee under the FrappaChata brand name n the USA. The arabica and robusta based coffee drinks, blended with RumChata cream liqueur, offer “a rich, dark roast coffee flavour highlighted by the sweet smooth taste of RumChata”, and are claimed to be […]
Germany: Wernsing Food Family takes majority interest in Fresh Factory
Wernsing Food Family, a deli foods manufacturer, is taking a majority interest in fresh fruit firm Fresh Factory, according to a report in Cafe Future.net. Founded in Hamburg in 1997, Fresh Factory is a leading player in the prepared fruit segment in Germany, supplying foodservice, wholesale and retail channels. The firm’s retail line is marketed […]
Japan: Ajinomoto buys Labeyrie Traiteur Surgeles for €21 million
International seasoning and food firm Ajinomoto has announced the acquisition of French frozen food maker Labeyrie Traiteur Surgeles (LTS) through Ajinomoto’s consolidated subsidiary Ajinomoto Foods Europe for €21 million ($24.1 million). The acquisition, made under an agreement between Ajinomoto and LTS’s parent company Labeyrie Fine Foods, is aimed at enabling Ajinomoto to expand its business platform of […]
USA: Schwan’s Company to acquire Better Baked Foods and Drayton Foods
Schwan’s Company, the US frozen food firm, is stepping up its presence in the pizza space with the acquisition of Better Baked Foods and Drayton Foods, both subsidiaries of NE Foods. The move comes less than two months after the firm reached a deal to acquire pizza firm MaMa Rosa’s. Better Baked Foods makes pizza, French bread […]
UK: Quorn to invest £150 million and create 300 new jobs
Quorn Foods, an international meat substitute company, has announced plans to invest £150 million ($196 million) over the next five years in a new facility in Billingham, Teesside, UK. The meat-free company, which grew 15% in the first half of the year reportedly as a result of increased takeup of low meat diets, said it […]
Netherlands: Refresco acquires Cott Beverages
Refresco, an independent bottler of beverages for retailers and manufacturers in Europe and the US, has announced the acquisition of Cott Beverages in an all-cash transaction worth $1.25 billion. Cott Beverages, which generates $1.7 billion in annual revenues, is described as drinks firm Cott’s “traditional beverage manufacturing business”. It is one of the world’s largest […]
Denmark: Coop introduces vegetarian and vegan departments in Irma stores
Coop Danmark, a Danish grocery retailer, has announced that its Irma supermarkets will set up special departments for vegetarian and vegan products, European Supermarket Magazine reports. In an initial phase, the new ‘Det Gronne Maltid’ (‘The Green Meal’) department will be introduced in eight stores that are said to have been selected according to their location, […]
Portugal: Continente introduces preserves made from ‘leftover’ produce
Supermarket chain Continente, part of Portuguese retail and telecoms conglomerate Sonae, has introduced a new range of jams and chutney that are described as being made from fruit and vegetables nearing the end of their sell-by date. According to an article in Distribuicao Hoje, the move is designed to tackle the issue of produce going to waste […]
UK: GSK to consider selling Horlicks and MaxiNutrition as part of business overhaul
British FMCG and pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline has announced its intention to sell its Horlicks brand of hot drinks in the UK, together with its MaxiNutrition business. The sale is reportedly part of the company’s strategy of focusing on its pharmaceutical business, which accounts for £16.1 billion ($20.1 billion) in annual sales. Horlicks was originally acquired […]