Breaking News on the Food and Drink Manufacturing Sector

Sectors > Chilled foods

Chilled foods

Chilled ready meals, sandwiches and sushi; it’s a tough business, whether you’re in branded or own-label products. Demanding retail customers want better quality at lower prices - and they want extended shelf-life of products. Find out about the latest business and regulatory news, plus innovative processes to meet changing consumer demands.

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.

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.

News in brief

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.

Keep it clean and safe for voles

30-Jan-2012 - Waste solutions firm Greenbank has solved a food company's waste storage problem and preserved a rare breed of water vole at the same time.

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.

Gordon Ramsay chefs to boost Authentic Food firm

26-Jan-2012 - Ethnic food specialist The Authentic Food Company (TAFC) is expecting its Chinese ready-meal range to almost double in value to £20M, after partnering with chefs from Gordon Ramsay’s favourite Chinese restaurant.

News in brief

FSA no closer to solving Premier Botulism case

25-Jan-2012 - The Premier Foods botulism case is no closer to being solved, despite the completion of “extensive” research, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed.

Geoff Eaton sets out chilled food challenges

25-Jan-2012 - Chilled food processors must remedy overcapacity and meet financial challenges, such as pension deficits, to realise the sector’s potential, according to Geoff Eaton, former chief executive of chilled firm Uniq.

News in brief

FSA to speak on Premier Foods botulism case

23-Jan-2012 - A statement on the Premier Foods botulism case is expected in the next eight days, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

2 Sisters to restore Brookes Avana within two years

23-Jan-2012 - 2 Sisters Food Group’s chilled food business Brookes Avana, acquired from Premier Foods last year, will be returned to profitability within two years, according to its new owners.

Premier Foods to cut 600 jobs by 2013

17-Jan-2012 - Premier Foods has confirmed that it plans to axe up to 600 jobs by 2013 following its latest trading statement for the period ending December 31.

Premier boss Michael Clarke backed by city

16-Jan-2012 - Premier Foods boss Michael Clarke has received a resounding vote of confidence from city analysts, six months into his role, as he continues his plan to guide the firm out of trouble.

Premier should focus on disposals: spreads on sale

11-Jan-2012 - Leading analysts have advised Premier Foods to adopt a strategic approach to disposals and secure a “miraculously” good deal with its lenders, as one confirmed the firm's spreads business is up for sale.

Food props up sales at M&S

10-Jan-2012 - Retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) expects trading conditions in the new year to “remain challenging” despite a rise in food sales over the all-important Christmas period.

Unilever strikes inevitable as pension row continues

09-Jan-2012 - Only a last minute change-of-heart from consumer giant Unilever will prevent hundreds of its workers hitting the streets of London tomorrow to demonstrate over changes to their pensions.

Multicultural UK to ditch fried breakfast

03-Jan-2012 - Hot and spicy food could soon replace the traditional British fry-up on the nation’s breakfast menu due to increasing multiculturalism in the UK, according to a report from cereal giant Kellogg’s.

Software boosts stock traceability and productivity

01-Jan-2012 - Poultry, chilled, frozen and bakery products supplier 2 Sisters Food Group has installed a Microsoft Dynamics navigation-based LINKFresh supply chain business management system from Anglia Business Solutions.

Playing it cool

01-Jan-2012 - Elsewhere businesses are feeling the chill, but frozen food firms are keeping their cool, says Michelle Knott

Meat sealing tray skin packs a punch

01-Jan-2012 - Top sealing technology specialist G Mondini-Ulma has introduced a tray skin system for use with its Evo and Trave range of machines with the aim of revolutionising the sealing of meat, poultry, fish and ready meals.

'First' fast tray sealers without compressed air

01-Jan-2012 - Packaging Automation (PA) has revealed that the next evolution of its Eclipse range of high-speed tray heat sealing machines will be the first in the UK to operate entirely without any compressed air.

Pea has muscle to replace meat

01-Jan-2012 - Vegetable protein texturising specialist Sotexpro and starch manufacturer Roquette have teamed up to offer new prospects for meat substitution using a pea-based texturiser.

Greencore ends courtship with mystery suitor

01-Jan-2012 - Greencore has reported healthy results as it confirmed that takeover talks with a “mystery suitor” were now at an end. It has also announced it is seeking inclusion in the FTSE UK Index Series.

Drug dealers target food industry

23-Dec-2011 - The food industry could be a target for criminals to traffic drugs, illegal goods and immigrants, according to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and logistics experts.

Top manufacturing news of the past six months - in pictures

20-Dec-2011 - From business takeovers to factory closures, it has been another busy year for UK food and drink manufacturers. Relive the highlights by viewing the five most popular news articles published on FoodManufacture.co.uk during the past six months.

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