Breaking News on the Food and Drink Manufacturing Sector

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Diageo export success tough act to follow for UK firms

09-Feb-2012 - Smirnoff manufacturer Diageo’s recent export success will be a tough act to follow for UK firms, according to city analysts, after the drinks giant revealed that 40% of its sales now come from emerging markets.

Greencore revenues rise after Uniq deal

09-Feb-2012 - Greencore has made an encouraging start since its acquisition of chilled foods business Uniq, according to city analysts, after the firm posted its most comprehensive financial results since the takeover.

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Natures Way opens new £15M West Sussex factory

08-Feb-2012 - Salad and lettuce manufacturer Natures Way Foods (NWF) has announced the opening of a new £15M factory at Chichester Food Park in West Sussex.

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Robert Wiseman confirms ‘unconditional’ Müller deal

08-Feb-2012 - Müller’s takeover of Robert Wiseman dairies is now complete after the firm announced that the £280M offer from the German yogurt maker was “unconditional in all respects”.

Greencore value boosted by currency switch

08-Feb-2012 - The decision by chilled foods group Greencore to transfer its share currency denomination from euros to sterling has further increased its value to potential investors, according to city analysts.

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Intersnack appoint new general manager at Haverhill site

07-Feb-2012 - Savoury snack manufacturer Intersnack has taken another step in its plan to secure market leadership in the UK nut sector after confirming the appointment of a new general manager at its Haverhill site.

Kerry Foods slammed by MP over possible job cuts

07-Feb-2012 - Chilled foods giant Kerry Foods has been slammed by Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell after the firm announced that 337 jobs were facing the axe following a review of its frozen meal business.

FDF roadshows highlight food manufacturing roles

06-Feb-2012 - A series of nationwide roadshows designed to highlight the opportunities for apprenticeships with UK food and drink manufacturers has been launched by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Fizzy drinks and chocolate: a £196M hit with consumers

06-Feb-2012 - Canned cola, canned sports drinks and chocolate confectionery are the fastest growing grocery categories, worth an addition £196M in sales last year compared with 2010, said market research firm SymphonyIRI Group.

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Kingdom Bakers: 135 jobs under threat

06-Feb-2012 - A total of 135 jobs at Scottish bakery Kingdom Bakers hang in the balance after the firm’s receivers announced that it has received six enquiries from potential buyers.

Unilever defiant as pension dispute date set

06-Feb-2012 - Pot Noodle manufacturer Unilever is remaining defiant in the row over changes to its pension scheme after the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) confirmed that talks with the unions would start later this week.

Kerry Foods confirms 337 jobs face axe

03-Feb-2012 - Irish chilled foods giant Kerry Foods has confirmed that 337 jobs could be cut at its Grimsby factory as a result of increasing competition and tumbling sales in the ready meals market.

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Unilever and unions to talk over pension row

03-Feb-2012 - The row over changes to the pension scheme at Marmite manufacturer Unilever has taken a step closer to reconciliation today (February 3) after the Anglo-Dutch consumer giant agreed to resume talks with the unions.

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Premier Foods reinforces Power Brand plan

03-Feb-2012 - Premier Foods has further strengthened its Power Brand plan today (February 3) after announcing that it will integrate its marketing function into the firm’s commercial structure.

Dairy Crest hit by tumbling cream prices

03-Feb-2012 - Higher milk prices and a fall in the price of cream have hit profits at Dairy Crest, according to city analysts, after the firm announced a drop in profits for its dairies business.

UK food and drink firms over-reliant on migrant labour

03-Feb-2012 - UK food and drink manufacturers are still over-reliant on the use of migrant labour despite huge steps being taken to increase the availability of British workers, according to the sector skills council Improve.

Intersnack's seven figure investment in UK snacks

03-Feb-2012 - European giant Intersnack is challenging PepsiCo and United Biscuits brands in the UK as it prepares to dramatically increase its profile, with a seven-figure investment in UK production.

Food firms slam MEPs' negative nutrition vote

02-Feb-2012 - UK and European food and drink representatives have slammed a vote by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) today which rejected the revised nutrition claims list intended to make food reformulation easier.

Unilever slammed for ‘mind-blowing’ results

02-Feb-2012 - The row over changes to the pension scheme at Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever is set to intensify next month after Unite the Union compared the firm’s latest set of “mind-blowing” profits with its pension policy.

Weetabix invests £16M in UK food processing

01-Feb-2012 - Weetabix is investing £16M in UK processing this year and rolling out a lean production programme across its factories after trialling it at Burton Latimer in Northamptonshire.

Treasury pledges support for food and drink firms

31-Jan-2012 - The Treasury has pledged to support the growth of UK food and drink manufacturers by creating the conditions in which the sector can thrive.

Nestlé to close 'high value' Hayes coffee plant by 2014

30-Jan-2012 - Nestlé's decision to close its Hayes coffee plant by 2014 and transfer production to Tutbury in Derbyshire, follows hot on the heels of news that it planned to close its HQ in Croydon and move to Gatwick by the end of 2012.

Müller takeover to milk buying clout

30-Jan-2012 - Müller's announcement that it had launched an agreed takeover of Britain's "leading" liquid milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies was the biggest surprise of the past month.

Premier Foods backs Power Brands with TV ads

30-Jan-2012 - Premier Foods is stepping up its Power Brand plan after announcing a major TV advertising push as md Michael Clarke continues his plan to stabilise the business after a troubled 2011.

Cameron's claim to run green government is 'hollow'

30-Jan-2012 - David Cameron's promise to run "the greenest government ever" has proved "hollow", according to Melanie Leech, director general of the Food and Drink Federation.

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