UK: Unilever weighing up sale of spreads division – reports
Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, is contemplating the sale of its margarine and spreads division, including brands such as Flora, Bertolli and Stock, according to reports in the British media. In an article, the Telegraph suggests that a number of suitors, including Kraft Heinz as well as private equity firms, would be willing to […]
Japan: Nissin unveils new Cup Noodle Nice
A new range of instant cup noodles called Cup Noodle Nice has been introduced in Japan by food manufacturer Nissin. The new Nice range is marketed as an “impossible combination” of a thicker soup that is also ‘better for you’: it offers a stronger taste andt hicker soup than the original Cup Noodle products yet […]
Russia: PepsiCo expands production
Food and soft drinks giant PepsiCo has added a new production lineto its dairy facility in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia, to make yoghurt for children. The facility, which will product yoghurt under the Agusha and Miracle Babies brands, also manufactures infant formula. With the new production line, the facility will increase production to 40 tonnes […]
USA: Conagra Brands acquires Thanasi Foods
North American packaged foods company Conagra Brandas has agreed to buy Thanasi Foods, a US snacks producer. Protein-based snacking company Thanasi Foods is the manufacturer of snack brands including like Duke’s for meat snacks and Bigs for seed snacks. The Duke’s brand includes Duke’s Smoked Shorty and Duke’s Steak Strips, both “made in small batches […]
India: Rasna builds first plant in the south
Fruit based concentrate maker Rasna has unveiled its plans to set up a new plant in the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, the firm’s 10th in India but the first in the south of the country. The company said its new production facility would be especially built to focus on strengthening market share in the powder […]
Japan: Koikeya introduces new snack range
Leading Japanese snack maker Koikeya has announced the launch of a new snack range called Hitokuchi Deli (Bite Size Deli). The new range, added under the tortilla crisp brand Dontacos, is claimed to be “more than a snack, less than a meal”, and is designed as a ‘mini-meal’ that busy consumers can consume in between […]
Finland: Fazer buys oat specialist Bioferme
Fazer, the bakery and confectionery producer, has announced that it has acquired fellow Finnish firm Bioferme, a specialist in the manufacture of oat-based foods. Established in 1977, Bioferme owns the established Yosa brand in Finland. Its portfolio consists of fermented oat products, including a range of non-dairy yoghurts, as well as recently-introduced cooking products. Fazer […]
Spain: Eroski and Dia team up to develop private label products
Spanish retailers Dia Group and Eroski Group have signed an agreement designed to maximise the quality and price of their private label offering. The companies said that the new agreement, based on a peer-to-peer relationship, would allow them to improve the competitiveness of their private label products and also acquire materials and supplies needed for […]
France: Auchan partners with Packcity for click and collect lockers
Auchan, the French grocery retailer, is partnering with parcel collection point firm Packcity to install click and collect lockers at around a dozen of its stores in France, according to an article in LSA. The rollout of the scheme follows an initial trial at two supermarkets and is an automated pick up system designed to […]
Spain: Corporation Exea Empresarial acquires majority stake in Apivita
The Spanish firm Corporation Exea Empresarial, the holding company of the Puig family, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Greek company Apivita Cosmetics, according to a report in Cosmetics Business. Exea owns the Puig fragrances and fashion group; Flamagas, a manufacturer and distributor of stationery, electronics and lighters; and Isdin, a skin […]