US bakery firm Krispy Kreme appears keen to become part of the
British establishment. The firm's first UK store was opened today
at Harrods, the Knightsbridge department store famous for its
opulence and glamour.
UK subsidiary of bakery ingredients giant CSM takes the first steps
on the road to 'sweet treat' growth through the integration of its
latest acquisition, the cookie supplier Readi-Bake.
The appreciation of the euro against both sterling and the US
dollar took the shine off an otherwise excellent set of results for
Irish bakery group IAWS in 2003.
Sweden's Cerealia Foods has increased its health offering with the
acquisition of five companies focused on vegetarian, organic and
healthy food products.
Lorenz Bahlsen Snack-World has said that it is considering
concentrating the production of one of its speciality products,
Laugengebäck crackers, to its existing factory in Skawina in
Poland.
Despite significant restructuring following the acquisition of
Pillsbury in 2001, US bakery and foods giant General Mills is
reported to be satisfied with its overall results for the first
quarter of fiscal 2004.
The launch of 26 new products in the first four months of the year
have given the UK's Inter Link Foods - maker of Soreen malt loaf -
a solid base on which to grow sales in the first half.
Parmalat's sales in the Americas have been affected by the
appreciation of the euro against the US and Canadian dollar during
the first half, with bakery sales noticeably down.
Northern Foods has continued its strategy of focusing on the
fast-growing convenience food sector with the sale of its Fox's
Confectionery unit. Will the troubled Fox's biscuit business be the
next unit put on the market?
The increasing popularity of chilled pasta meals across Europe has
helped drive up sales and profits at Belgian group Ter Beke in the
first half. And with a new acqusition in France set to boost sales
further in the second half, full...
Northern Foods has warned that pre-tax profits for the first half
of 2003 are likely to be lower than expected as a result of rising
ingredient costs and the loss of several contracts.
As US agribusiness Cargill reaches further into Europe, the
upcoming Food Ingredients Europe 2003 exhibition in Frankfurt,
Germany bears witness to the company's growing presence.
National Starch has appointed Biomin to distribute its nutrition
products in Scandinavia. The exclusive agreement includes the
supply of Hi-maize and Novelose, plus forthcoming new product
developments in Denmark, Finland, Norway...
The European Commission on Friday approved plans by US company
Archer Daniels Midland to purchase food giant Unilever's edible oil
refining subsidiary VDBO.
The world's biggest breakfast cereal producer, Kellogg, has
reported better-than-expected results in the second quarter, driven
by innovation and consumer promotions.
Abbot Laboratories has paved the way for rapid company expansion in
the weight control and healthy living categories following an
agreement to acquire nutrition bar company ZonePerfect Nutrition.
Disappointing results from French food and drink group Danone saw
biscuit sales dropping 6 per cent to €1.5 billion. However, they
would have risen by 1.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Biscuit manufacturer Lu Polska, which is part of the French-based
Danone Group, is to close down its production plant in Jaroslaw,
Poland. The closure will result in the loss of 500 jobs.
Cargill and Riceland Foods have announced their intention to link
up to manufacture, market and sell lecithin products to food,
pharmaceutical, and technical customers.
The acquisition of the Soreen malt loaf business, and a continued
focus on new product development, have helped Inter Link Foods
become one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK cake market.
CSM has reached an agreement with Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods
over the acquisition of the latter's bakery operations, Friesland
Madibic Food Service.
Allied Bakeries has reached an agreement with industrial equipment
supplier APV Baker to cover equipment service and maintenance for
more than 50 key processing units in five plants.
BakeMark International, an international provider of bakery
ingredients and supplies, is boosting its capabilities in fats for
the Eastern European market.
Dutch-based international food ingredients company CSM has reached
an agreement with Unilever on the acquisition of its bakery
ingredients business in Hungary.
Two of the UK's leading suppliers of bakery ingredients and
products, Arkady Craigmillar and Croda Food Services, have extended
their business partnership.
Diversified UK group Associated British Foods has reported a 14 per
cent increase in half yearly operating profits, despite tough
market conditions in its bakery and snacks related businesses.
North American Bakers Yeast division of Canadian company Lallemand
is due to complete its newly constructed yeast plant in Memphis,
Tennessee by the end of the month.
Following hot on the heels of last week's announcement that net
income for the first quarter is set to exceed projections,
privately owned US agribusiness Bunge said yesterday that it now
owns 100 per cent of French oil processor...
Ireland's Hibernia Foods is to close one of its ready meals and
cake production facilities in the UK in a bid to improve
profitability. The company expects savings of up to €8 million a
year as a result.
Finland's Chips group is to expand its operations to Russia by
acquiring the Russian Snack Company. The group sees major potential
in a market where annual consumption of snacks is just 0.3kg per
head.
A combination of poor weather conditions and a one-off charge
relating to an arbitration case involving one of its franchises did
little to dampen the financial performance at doughnut manufacturer
Krispy Kreme in fiscal 2003.
