Business Leaders

Batters and Freer

Long Clawson Dairy hosts meet targeting dairy export growth

By Rod Addy

Specialist Stilton maker Long Clawson Dairy has hosted a meeting between National Farmers Union (NFU) president Minette Batters and minister for exports Mike Freer to discuss unlocking more export opportunities for dairy products.

Bramble's in-house manufacturing division makes preserves, chutneys, sauces and cakes

Bramble Foods secures private equity cash

By Rod Addy

Private equity firm LDC has made a minority investment in fine foods manufacturer and distributor Bramble Foods 'to support its organic and acquisitive growth strategy'.

Food retailers and manufacturers are celebrating Christmas

Financial roundup

Tesco, Hilton, M&S, Bakkavor and Finsbury trading positive

By Rod Addy

Tesco, Hilton Food Group, Marks & Spencer, Finsbury Food Group and Bakkavor have all reported positive sales performance in their latest trading updates, indicating continued recovery from the pandemic.

BHC produces a range of spirits, honey and jams

The British Honey Company to consolidate production

By Rod Addy

Distiller, honey and jam producer The British Honey Company (BHC) has announced plans to close its Worminghall, Buckinghamshire office and distillery and consolidate production, dispatch and research & development at its Market Harborough site.

Just Desserts makes a range of artisanal desserts and cakes, including cheesecakes

Regal Food Products Group acquires Just Desserts

By Rod Addy

Regal Food Products Group Plc, the company behind the Regal Bakery, Regal Foods and Yorkshire Baking Company brands, has acquired premium desserts manufacturer Just Desserts for an undisclosed sum.

Foppen is focused on added-value speciality smoked salmon products

Hilton acquires salmon producer Foppen

By Rod Addy

Multi-protein food business Hilton Food Group has agreed to acquire smoked salmon producer Dutch Seafood Company BV, which trades as Foppen, expanding Hilton's activities into the US market.

AG Barr to buy MOMA Foods

AG Barr to buy MOMA Foods

By Michelle Perrett

AG Barr, the soft drinks company, is to take over the MOMA porridge and plant-based milk business in three years after agreeing an initial 60% equity stake.

Most manufacturing and technical personnel will operate from Treatt's new site in 2022

Ready-to-drink cocktails lift ingredients processor's results

By Michelle Perrett

Treatt, the manufacturer of natural extract and ingredients claims to have ‘successfully navigated’ the pandemic, boosted by the swift evolution of the ready-to-drink canned cocktail market and continued growth in its healthier living categories.

Bunzl has agreed 13 acquisitions so far this year

Chilled and frozen food gel pack firm Hydropac acquired

By Rod Addy

Bunzl plc, the specialist international distribution and services group, has announced the acquisitions of chilled and frozen food gel pack firm Hydropac and industrial clothing specialist Workwear Express.

Hilton Food Group said the deal would offer opportunities in the out-of-home sector

Hilton Food Group announces acquisition of Fairfax Meadow

By Rod Addy

Hilton Food Group, the international multi-protein food business, has, through its subsidiary Hilton Foods, acquired Fairfax Meadow Europe, supplier of meat to UK foodservice customers, from Argent Holdings for £23.8m.

Who will claim trophies on 10 February?

Rich Products, Müller and ABP are among FMEA finalists

By Rod Addy

Rich Products, Müller UK & Ireland and ABP are among the food firms making the final cut in the run-up to the announcement of the winners of the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEAs). Is your company shortlisted? Read on to find out.

Mackintosh: 'a big investment in our head office'

Foodman Talks

Foodman Talks: Princes boss on food & drink factory investment

By Gwen Ridler

In this exclusive Foodman Talks video, Cameron Mackintosh, managing director of ambient food and drink manufacturer Princes, charts its progress on its mammoth factory investment programme at its Erith, Long Sutton and Cardiff sites.

Morrisons' board has already recommended CD&R's £9.8bn bid (including net debt)

Morrisons board back auction winner CD&R

By Rod Addy

Morrisons supermarket's board has backed a winning £7.1bn bid at auction on 2 October by CD&R, the US private equity outfit advised by former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy.

From finance to drinks, Suppey has built Kyon Drinks up to be a contender in the non-alcoholic drinks market

Kyon Drinks: New drinks launch dodges the pandemic

By Gwen Ridler

In this exclusive interview, Kyon Drinks founder Daniel Suppey talks Food Manufacturer through the trials of setting up a drinks business during a global pandemic and the strengths of the non-alcoholic drinks market.

L to R: Jara and Master: Simply Doughnuts is developing new flavours for overseas customers

Food Manufacture Excellence Awards

Simply Doughnuts in NPD and export push

By Rod Addy & James Ridler

Simply Doughnuts, winner of the 2021 Food Manufacture Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year award, is launching three new flavours and enjoying export success, founder, owner and managing director Shiraz Master explains in this exclusive podcast.

Lill: 'Committed to continuing to invest'

BBF agrees to acquire Sargents Bakeries

By Rod Addy

BBF Limited has agreed to acquire Sargents Bakeries Limited, which makes sweet pies, tarts and sundaes for an undisclosed sum, creating a combined business with a turnover of almost £200m, employing 1,700 people.

Morrisons is embroiled in a bidding war

Morrisons pension trustees turn up heat in bidding war

By Rod Addy

Morrisons's pension scheme trustees have intensified the bidding war for the UK supermarket chain by highlighting £800m needed to support employee pensions in addition to the terms of any current offer.

Lolay: 'Disruptions to supply chains and shortages of labour'

Food and drink output plunges

By Rod Addy

Food and drink sector output fell at the fastest pace in eight months as staff shortages, driven partly by large numbers of workers self-isolating, restricted production capacity, according to Lloyds Bank UK Recovery Tracker.

Simtom Foods's factory is based at Merry Lees Industrial Estate in Leicestershire

World foods supplier Simtom Food Products in administration

By Rod Addy

Simtom Food Products Limited, the family-owned ethnic condiments manufacturer, has entered administration citing the impact of the pandemic and labour shortages, after making most of its 60-strong permanent workforce redundant.

NWFE's brands include Wild West and Cruga

Valeo agrees to acquire meat snacks group NWFE

By Rod Addy

Valeo Foods Group - owner of Rowse Honey, Kettle crisps and Jacob's biscuits - has agreed to acquire meat snacks producer New World Foods Europe (NWFE) from Australia-based entrepreneur Tony Quinn.

Bakkavor's salad sales were still behind 2019 levels, but a recovery in food-to-go still drove a strong sales performance

Bakkavor trading 'ahead of 2019' except for salads

By Rod Addy

Bakkavor, the fresh prepared food manufacturer, has reported second quarter trading ahead of 2019, although sales of salads had been hit by COVID-19 restrictions and mixed weather.

The newly merged business will process about 500m litres of British Red Tractor farm assured milk

Freshways Dairy and Medina Dairy merge

By Rod Addy

Freshways Dairy and Medina Dairy have announced a merger to create a more sustainable, scaled up business called Medina Freshways Ltd.

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