Confectionery

Stockley’s Sweets invests in new production line

15-Nov-2010 - Blackburn based Stockley’s Sweets has invested £100,000 in a new production line that has boosted its capacity by 25%.

Roquette chews on positive EFSA gum opinions

10-Nov-2010 - French supplier Roquette is hailing the potential of polyols to boost dental health, following recent article 14 positive opinions for sugar-free gum from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Kraft's Bob Hagan takes the helm at RSSL

27-Oct-2010 - Dr Bob Hagan – who heads the global analytical network at Kraft Foods – has been appointed as the new md of Reading Scientific Services (RSSL). He replaces Kay O'Donnell.

EC calls for views on nanomaterial definition

25-Oct-2010 - After hammering out a definition of the term ‘nanomaterial’ in a draft resolution, the European Commission is now inviting comments from interested parties over the next four weeks.

Mars: An R&D problem shared is a problem halved...

22-Oct-2010 - Mars, a private company once famed for its secrecy, is cranking up efforts to engage with external collaborators via the launch of a new open innovation website, in which it will invite potential partners to help it solve its research and development challenges.

Ceasefire at Tunnock’s as firm improves pay offer

11-Oct-2010 - Further strike action now seems unlikely at teacake and caramel wafer-maker Tunnock's after company bosses tabled an improved pay offer to staff.

Hotel Chocolat: We did not refuse to deal with the GMB

06-Oct-2010 - Hotel Chocolat has vigorously denied claims by the GMB union that it has not properly canvassed staff over union recognition at its Huntingdon chocolate factory.

News in brief

Thorntons posts 7.4% rise in Q1 sales

06-Oct-2010 - Sales of Thorntons chocolates have continued to outperform in other retailers’ stores, but the chocolatier is still struggling to make headway in its own retail estate, according to its latest set of trading figures.

Casual use of 'hand-made'undermines artisan producers

06-Oct-2010 - Artisan confectionery manufacturers are being undermined by a lack of clarity regarding the use of the word ‘hand-made’ on labels, according to chocolate maker Chocolaterie Casemir.

Fresh wave of strikes scheduled at Tunnock's, but both sides agree to ACAS talks in meantime

05-Oct-2010 - Disgruntled staff at the Tunnock's factory in Uddingston have announced a fresh wave of strikes later this month, but agreed to talk to company bosses in the meantime via arbitration service ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).

Tax snatchers stall innovation as government tackles debt

04-Oct-2010 - 
New product development is being disrupted by HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC’s) increased efforts to claw back value added tax (VAT) on food as the government tackles UK debt, according to lawyers and manufacturers.

Traditional sweet maker Uncle Joe’s wants to double turnover

29-Sep-2010 - Wigan-based handmade sweet producer Uncle Joe’s is keen to double its turnover "as quickly as possible" as it approaches full capacity at its current site.

United Biscuits: Fire at Amcor won’t disrupt supplies

28-Sep-2010 - A serious fire at a factory supplying packaging materials to United Biscuits’ McVitie's factory in Carlisle has not significantly disrupted production, the biscuit and snacks firm insists.

Chinese group looks to bright future with United Biscuits, report

28-Sep-2010 - In a move that has caught market analysts by surprise, UK based snack and biscuit maker, United Biscuits, is reportedly close to a deal with leading Chinese food group Bright Food in terms of a buy out.

Tunnock's staff walk out as pay dispute escalates

24-Sep-2010 - More than 360 staff out of 500 employed at the Tunnock's caramel wafer and teacake factory in Uddingston, Glasgow, downed tools yesterday and will strike again next Tuesday.

Nestlé to meet unions at Croydon HQ to discuss pay

24-Sep-2010 - Nestlé UK will meet representatives from the Unite, GMB and USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) trade unions at its Croydon HQ today in a bid to resolve an ongoing pay dispute, FoodManufacture.co.uk understands.

Pay row threatens production at Scottish teacake maker Tunnock's

22-Sep-2010 - Production of more than a million teacakes could be in jeopardy if a strike at leading Scottish biscuit and confectionery maker, Tunnock’s, goes ahead.

Commercial sales and NPD offset Thorntons' retail woe

10-Sep-2010 - Higher commercial sales coupled with new product development could help Thorntons offset its high street sales slump, according to Investec analyst David Jeary.

British Sugar in cane processing trial at Newark

01-Sep-2010 - Beet sugar giant British Sugar could produce another 120,000t of sugar a year from refineries in Wissington, Newark and Bury St Edmunds by introducing raw cane sugar inputs to its refining process, the firm has revealed.

Record Californian raisin imports show UK appetite for dried vine fruit

31-Aug-2010 - UK imports of Californian raisins increased by 26% during the 2009/10 season, according to the trade organisation representing the largest Californian growers.

Mars rolls out chocolate bars with reduced saturated fat

26-Aug-2010 - New reformulated Mars chocolate bars are going on sale in Europe with 15 to 20 per cent less saturated fat than their predecessors.

Final UK-made Cadbury Crunchie bars from September

30-Jul-2010 - The final UK-made Crunchie bars will roll off production lines at Cadbury’s Somerdale site this autumn as part of the factory’s wholesale shutdown.

News in brief

First-half sales at Hayden's Bakeries up 20%

29-Jul-2010 - Sales at Hayden’s Bakeries were up 20% in the six months to June 30.

By gum, I think they've got it!

28-Jul-2010 - Ben & Jerry, Green & Black, and, er, Mike & Dan? If Peppersmith gum co-founders Mike Stevens and Dan Shrimpton are not quite household names just yet, give it a few years and they might just turn out to be one of grocery’s more interesting double acts, predicts Elaine Watson.