News
Robust performance despite challenging environment
Northern Foods latest trading results show year-on-year sales growth of approximately 3.4 per cent. Despite a challenging trading environment and significant inflation in input costs, performance across ambient and frozen businesses remains robust. Pat O’Driscoll, chief executive, said,“As has been well documented, the trading environment remains tough and we will need to recover further input […]
Midlife market missed by drinks makers
Drinks manufacturers are missing out on the midlife market, according to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor. Apparently, the ‘midlifers’ are aged between 25-44, disinclined to binge drinking and account for 42 per cent of Europe’s multi-billion euro alcoholic drinks market. What’s more, alcoholic drinks manufacturers continue to regard young adults as their […]
Nestle outlook is bright
Nestle has announced sales of CHF67.7 billion for the food and beverage group worldwide during the first nine months of 2005. The 5.6% organic growth across food and beverage was due to the successful extension of distribution beyond the traditional supermarket grocery channel. Peter Bra-beck-Letmathe, chairman and CEO of Nestle said,“The acceleration in our core […]
Ice cream plant
Fredericks Dairies is investing £10 (£14.7) million in a new plant in Lancashire to increase brand and private label ice cream tubs. The new site is said to have Europe’s largest and most automated production line, capable of producing over 16,000 tubs every hour. This follows an announcement that Fredericks is the UK’s No. 2 […]
Coca-Cola goes green
The Coca-Cola Company has released its third annual report on the environment detailing gains in water, packaging and energy efficiency. The 2004 study details progress in company and bottler operations that improved water use ratios, increased energy efficiency and improved recycling efforts. “This report shows that we are serious about our commitment to the environment, […]
Uniq CEO plans reorganisation
Geoff Eaton, the new chief executive of Uniq plc, has announced a programme of initatives for the convenience food group, in the face of a challenging trading environment. A major reorganisation of the UK division sees the creation of six, entrepreneurially-led, customer focused business units – three desserts businesses, sandwiches and dips, prepared salads, and […]
Walkers closes one plant and opens another
PepsiCo is closing the Walkers crisps factory in Swansea after 50 years at the south Wales site, which was formerly owned by Smiths Crisps. It has also announced a new factory to open at Skelmersdale, Lancashire in March 2006. All 250 workers will lose their jobs in Swansea, but will be offered alternative posts at […]
Lady Jay to head FFB
Lady Sylvia Jay CBE will become the new chair of Food from Britain in 2006. She takes over the role from Gordon Summerfield, who commented,“Sylvia Jay is an excellent appointment. Her knowledge of the food and drink industry will undoubtedly assist exporters in breaking through the £10 million barrier for the first time in nearly […]
Industry slims on fat, salt and sugar
The UK food and drink industry is revolutionising the nutritional profile of its products, according to a nationwide survey. In September 2004, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) issued a Food and Health Manifesto which set out a series of commitments ranging from reductions in salt, sugar and fat, to action on portion sizes and […]
Rexam converts to aluminium in Berlin
One of the world’s largest packaging companies is planning to convert its beverage can plant in Berlin to aluminium. The move is in response to Germany’s planned introduction of a nationwide return system for one-way containers in May 2006. The high scrap value of aluminium makes it the most practical solution for the system, as […]
Nestle to grow its own
The board of Nestle SA is to set up the Nestle Growth Fund with £500 million to be invested over five to seven years. This new fund is to help Nestle grow new science and nutrition businesses and ntegrate them into the group’s mainstream business units. This will contribute to the group’s expansion into health, […]
Campina invests £80 million in Belgian plant
Campina has opened a fully refurbished production facility in Aalter, Belgium, representing an investment of £80 million. The plant will produce long-life dairy products such as Yazoo and Yogho Yogho, for Europe and other parts of the world. Production capacity is expanded, with an annual capacity of 275 million units (UHT bottles), employing 500 people. […]
Premier may exit tea
Premier Foods has confirmed that it is in talks regarding the sale of its tea business, which includes Typhoo, London Fruit & Herb, Lift and other associated brands. The company, which bought Marlow Foods and the Quorn brand earlier this year, includes Branston pickle, Sun-Pat peanut butter, Loyd Grossman and Crosse & Blackwell sauces among […]
Study finds high pesticide levels in school fruit
A study by the Soil Association has found over 25% more pesticides in samples of fruit and vegetables supplied to school children than in those on sale in shops. The fruit is supplied to children under the official School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. According to the Soil Association, nearly 30% more instances of multiple pesticides […]