Drinks

The Nescafé range performed strongly across the world

Nestlé: Nescafé and Starbucks among top performing brands

By Rod Addy

Garden Gourmet, Nescafé, Starbucks and Purina PetCare fuelled organic sales growth in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, according to Nestlé's latest full-year results, although COVID-19 hit group reported sales.

Heineken is cutting 8,000 jobs worldwide

Heineken cuts hit UK jobs

By Gwen Ridler

Heineken is to slash jobs across its UK operations, as part of a larger worldwide job cuts in the wake of COVID-19 disruption.

The Scottish government has offered business rates relief until March this year

Brewers welcome business rates offer, but want more

By Gwen Ridler

Three months of 100% business rates relief offered in the Scottish government’s budget has been welcomed by the pub and brewing industries, but calls have been made to extend support to all the UK.

Continued impact from the pandemic is expected, but Tate & Lyle proved buoyant

Britvic, Tate & Lyle and Diageo post financial updates

By Rod Addy

Out-of-home declines at Britvic offset sales growth in at-home products in its first quarter (Q1), Tate & Lyle's primary product sales rose in the three months to 31 December and Diageo reported dented interims.

Businesses are pinning their hopes on improved performance once lockdown eases

Financial roundup: pandemic pummels food firms

By Rod Addy

Greencore, Real Good Food (RGF) and AG Barr financial updates all reflected hits as the latest COVID-19-related lockdown affected consumer buying habits, but hope remains for the coming year.

Cockran: 'It has been a challenge – a good challenge at the same time'

Coca-Cola apprentice Amelia Cockran on COVID-19 challenge

By Gwen Ridler

Rapid change in a COVID-19 world and new learning opportunities have been essential parts of the lives of apprentices in 2020, one finalist in the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEAs) reveals in this exclusive podcast.

Sproud's products are available via Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon in the UK

Sproud raises £4.8m for plant-based milk push

By Rod Addy

Plant-based milk producer Sproud has announced that it has raised £4.8M from growth capital investor VGC Partners to accelerate distribution of its vegan products in core markets, including the UK.

From 21 September half the plastic in CCEP's core portfolio comes from recycled sources

Coca-Cola eyes Costa Coffee, Topo Chico, energy NPD

By Rod Addy

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) is gearing up for further growth and launches focused on ready-to-drink Costa Coffee products, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer and energy drinks among other areas in 2021.

Left to right: Masteroast's Fawkes, chairman Les Mills and group commercial director Matthew Mills

Masteroast Coffee Co to build £1.5m warehouse

By Rod Addy

Masteroast Coffee Co has commissioned the construction of a £1.5m standalone warehouse, which can store 2,500 pallets in the Fengate industrial district of Peterborough and is set to create 20 jobs.

Heineken makes cider brands Bulmers and Strongbow at the Hereford site

Heineken faces strike threat at cider plant

By Rod Addy

Heineken faces a threatened strike at its Bulmers and Strongbow cider plant in Hereford over changes to workers pay and employment terms in what trade union Unite describes as a 'sack and sign' campaign.

Nestlé has stressed that, despite the discovery of a limited number of infections, its factories remain fully operational

Latest on COVID-19 at Nestlé UK

By Rod Addy

COVID-19 is in retreat at Nestlé’s Fawdon factory, but staff have tested positive for the virus at the company’s coffee processing plant at Tutbury in Staffordshire.

The winner will be announced online on 10 November, as part of The Grocer’s 'Golden Week', created to crown the winners of The Grocer Gold Awards 2020

Factory Manager of the Year 2020 shortlist decided

By Rod Addy

The shortlist for the Factory Manager of the Year 2020 has been decided after a flood of entries was debated intensely by the distinguished judging panel in a closely fought contest.

CCEP claimed encouraging performance over the summer, according to chief executive Damian Gammell

Coca-Cola European Partners bids for Coca-Cola Amatil

By Rod Addy

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has tabled a bid to acquire Asia Pacific bottler and distributor Coca-Cola Amatil in a move that would boost the international reach of both businesses in uncertain times.

The webinar will address the perfect storm facing food manufacturers confronted with Christmas, Brexit and COVID-19

Webinar highlights lean thinking in COVID-19 world

By Rod Addy

Lean manufacturing, efficiency and cost saving have become even more vital as food processors face off against the disruption caused by the pandemic and the end of the Brexit transition period.

Lava Spirits sources organic Valencian oranges from Sicily as well as Navel oranges

Start-up Lava Spirits details gin launches

By Rod Addy

Start-up Lava Spirits has outlined the development of its latest Lava Spirits Co Coffee Gin and Coffee Orange Gin launches, which it has made available direct to consumers via its website.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign has warned vending machine manufacturers and operators have to understand their legal responsibilities

Vending machine drinks pose allergen risk

By Rod Addy

'Serious failings' in allergen information relating to hot drinks vending machines and cross-contamination of non-milk products dispensed by them with milk has been flagged by a trading standards report just published.

The BBPA is demanding a tailored financial support package for brewers and pubs

Coronavirus: brewers and pubs face 290k job cuts

By Rod Addy

A total of £7.4bn and more than 290,000 jobs could be wiped out unless the Government regularly reviews the 10pm pub curfew rule and creates tailored financial support for pubs and brewers.

OVs will have to sign EHCs for all consignments of products of animal origin exported to EU from 1 January 2021

'Chronic' vet shortage threatens meat and dairy exports

By Rod Addy

Meat and dairy exports to the EU remain threatened by the lack of vets needed to implement food safety checks and sign export health certificates (EHCs), claims the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

Small brewers will be impacted by Small brewers Relief

Small brewers hit by falling beer sales

By Michelle Perrett

Small brewers are struggling to cope with the fall in beer sales as taxes are set to rise, the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) has revealed.

Functional drinks are set for a boost. (Copyright: Kerry)

Functional beverages attract lifestyle consumers

By Michelle Perrett

Demand for functional beverages are set to rise as ‘lifestyle consumers’ are increasingly entering the category, ingredients supplier Kerry Taste & Nutrition has predicted.

Whitby Gin is expanding

Whitby Gin in £1.5m distillery expansion

By Michelle Perrett

A Yorkshire gin-maker is expanding its operation after being granted permission to move into new premises in the shadow of Whitby Abbey.

Breweries such as Shepherd Neame have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic

How are breweries surviving coronavirus?

By Michelle Perrett

As the UK went into lockdown, panic buying dramatically boosted volume sales for food and drink retailers, while for the brewery sector the closure of pubs had a devastating effect.

The new canning line will open in 2021

Clearly Drinks to invest in new canning line

By Michelle Perrett

Clearly Drinks, the Sunderland based soft drinks company, is to invest in a new canning facility that will enable it to expand its brand portfolio.

Dark days for Scotch whisky as US tariff remains in place

Whisky, beer and gin industries, Walkers Shortbread and Government respond on US tariffs

US tariffs wipe £300m off Scotch whisky exports

By Rod Addy

US tariffs have wiped £300m off Scotch whisky sales, with losses set to grow as it emerged they would be kept in place for what is one of Scotland's staple exports.