Inside food & drink manufacturing
As 2025 approaches, James Scallan and Javier Chiquero of investment bank Houlihan Lokey assess the current food and drink industry mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape and discuss what lies ahead in the new year.
Allied Bakeries has announced a significant investment in its national transport and logistics operations, strengthening its fleet with the addition of 68 new vehicles from DAF Trucks.
Check out our round-up of the major investments that were announced across the food and drink industry throughout November 2024.
Premium bottled water brand Ty Nant has acquired Fonthill Water and Decantae Mineral Water from the US-based Primo Water Corporation, expanding its reach in the UK and cementing itself as the country’s fastest growing bottled water company.
One Rock Capital Partners has completed its acquisition of crisp manufacturer Burts Snacks owner Europe Snacks.
FMCG firm Supreme has acquired Typhoo Tea out of administration in a deal worth more than £10m.
Grocery retailer Waitrose has opened the doors to its first new store in more than half a decade.
Unilever’s largest UK food factory in Burton has seen a five-year transformation period, following a £40m investment which brings its UK condiments production into one specialist hub.
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Food Manufacture has unveiled a brand-new website as part of our continued commitment to developing top-tier digital offerings.
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Three-Sixty Aquaculture has completed a £3.5m series A funding round to support the creation of a new facility in Wales.
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The independent coffee producer has marked its 30th birthday with a major investment into its Brigg roastery.
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Innovation in plant-based and cultivated meat has dropped, according to the latest patent data from Appleyard Lees.
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Lancashire bakery business Oddie’s has announced that it is seeking a rescue deal after a potential sale fell through.
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F&B giant Tate & Lyle has completed the acquisition on CP Kelco for $1.8bn (approximately £1.4bn).
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Typhoo Tea has filed a court notice to appoint administrators in the hopes of selling the business as it continues to struggle in a declining market.
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Supermarket chain Lidl is on track to exceed its five-year investment commitment by £6bn, new figures show.
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The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has called on the UK Government to provide greater financial support for SMEs investing in healthier product innovation.
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Premium spirits producer Gravity Drinks has secured a £4.5m finance package to support export growth and meet seasonal spikes in international demand.
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Kerry Group has entered into an agreement with Kerry Co-Operative Creameries to sell Kerry Dairy Ireland in a deal worth €500m, or approximately £414m.
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Meat processor Kepak has acquired chilled and frozen convenience food firm Summit Foods for an undisclosed sum.
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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its investigation into the anticipated acquisition of Volac Whey Nutrition Holdings by Arla Food Ingredients.
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UK food manufacturer KP Snacks has agreed to acquire Whole Earth Foods from Ecotone.
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UK plant-based food brand Julienne Bruno was one of four food and drink businesses to take home a share of €900k of funding from EIT Food’s Fast Track to Market Initiative.
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Egg producer Farmlay has invested £2.4m in new AI-based computer vision technology as part of a plan to double productivity for 2025.
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Zuber Issa has completed the sale of his 22.5% stake in Asda to TDR Capital for an undisclosed fee.
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As we emerge from an incredibly trying period for the food and drink industry, 2024 has seen several high profile deals take place. James Scallan, managing director of Houlihan Lokey’s consumer group, explains why the snacking category in particular is...
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Sainsbury's has announced that it is matching more than 500 own-label and branded products to Aldi prices across its estate of convenience stores.
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An investigation into GXO’s purchase of Wincanton has concluded that the deal could reduce competition within the UK contract logistics services market.
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VK and Hooch owner Global Brands has partnered with American Beverage Marketers (ABM) to serve as the US firms’ official distributor throughout Great Britain.
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Thousands more SME businesses will benefit from Made Smarter funding as UK Government commits to spending £16m to extend its technology adoption programme.
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Peanut butter brand ManiLife has announced plans to open a £1m production facility in Shirebrook, Derbyshire.
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Cadman Capital Group has acquired craft brewer Aglesey Ales as its founders retire.
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UK manufacturer of sauces, salsas and condiments Panesar Foods has been acquired by Finnish F&B firm Paulig.
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Hilton Macarons – a national supplier of hand-made, gluten-free sweet treats – has been acquired by East Anglian bakery group Two Magpies.
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Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have become co-owners of Wrexham Lager after purchasing a stake in the Welsh brewer.
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Baked goods manufacturer Cupcakes By Sophia was one on 23 new companies to have secured grants from Made Smarter.
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Figures from across the food and drink manufacturing sector have reacted to the 2024 Autumn Budget, announced on 30 October by chancellor Rachel Reeves.
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Sysco GB has added Scottish specialist meat supplier Campbell Prime’s Meat into its fold, acquiring the business for an undisclosed sum.
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Shakes and meal replacement manufacturer Protein Works has invested £10m vertically integrated headquarters to bring all the disparate parts of its business under one roof.
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UK plant-based drinks firm Rude Health has been acquired by Finnish business Oddlygood for an undisclosed fee.
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The UK cereal bar brand has taken manufacturing in-house, building a facility in Hampshire, UK.
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Plant-based startup La Vie has raised €25m from its recent funding round which was supported by a mix of new and old investors.
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Diageo has announced a €30m investment into the production of Guinness 0.0 at St. James’s Gate in Dublin.
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Lidl GB has announced that it will open 10 new stores before Christmas.
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Pure Pet Food has secured £15m of investment to help support growing demand after a period of rapid growth for the business.
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The premium snack and granola manufacturer has purchased Indie Bay Snacks for an undisclosed sum, as it sets sights on becoming major player in snacking category.
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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a phase 1 investigation into the proposed acquisition of Britvic by Carlsberg.
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Müller’s anticipated acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy has been cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following an investigation into the deal.
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Food ingredients company MicroLub has completed a successful £3.5m funding round to support the next stage of development for its fat and oil replacement technology.
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Applied Nutrition is aiming for a £400m valuation as it prepares for its initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange later this month.