Premier Foods has pleased the City and commentators with the speedy appointment of Mike Clarke from Kraft Foods as its new ceo, after analysts described a late June trading statement as "shocking".
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) says it has called off strike action at Burton’s Foods site in Blackpool following a last-ditch challenge from the company over the validity of the ballot.
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has confirmed that strike action at Burton’s Foods Blackpool site is still set to begin tomorrow, after it emerged that union members had rejected an improved pay offer.
Food service giant Brakes Group is demanding that suppliers pay to use its online purchasing and supply management system, or lose contact with company buyers.
Staff at Burton’s Foods’ biscuit factory in Blackpool have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, after rejecting a 1.8% pay rise from the company.
Premier Foods needs urgently to find a successor to ceo Robert Schofield, say industry sources, as the firm continues to hunt for an heir amidst rumoured pressure from institutional investors.
Processors are braving the harsh economic climate to undertake big capital investments to increase their capacity, which reflects the results of Food Manufacture's 2011 survey.
Retailers are putting greater pressure on their suppliers to cut costs as consumers tighten their belts, according to Food Manufacture's annual state-of-the industry survey.
Premier Foods has refused to comment on rumours that it is close to selling its own-label chilled foods and cake business RF Brookes and Avana Bakeries to a major industry rival.
Border Biscuits is investing a further £2.5 million to increase manufacturing capabilities and plant capacity over the next 18 months as the Scottish biscuit maker targets a 50% turnover increase over the next few years.
Analysts at Shore Capital have described Premier Foods half yearly trading statement released today as “shocking, even by Premier’s standards”, as the company revealed a significant slump in profits for the first half of 2011.
Despite rising wheat and energy prices, Warburtons says it was forced to keep a check on bread prices and increase promotions during 2010 to “maintain its market share”.
Six employees have been arrested at Honeytop Speciality Foods, the naan and flatbreads producer, after a UK Border Agency (UKBA) raid discovered that they were illegal immigrants.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is considering undertakings from Princes and Premier Foods to avert monopoly concerns about canned pie supply, which the body said would leave UK consumers with “extremely limited choices”.
Distribution and transport staff are set to vote on strike action at Allied Bakeries’ West Bromwich distribution centre, Unite has confirmed, but the firm says it is "extremely disappointed" by the union's stance.
A food law expert says he is surprised by a new compromise on the EU Food Information Regulation that removes the need for food firms to provide front-of-pack nutrient data, but warns that enhanced Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) could still raise...
UK micro salt pioneer Eminate has confirmed to FoodManufacture.co.uk that it is now supplying its Soda-Lo product to a large food manufacturer for use in bread sold via a major UK retailer.
Hull based Jackson’s Bakery has announced plans to spend £5.5m on two new buildings and complementary machinery at its existing site, potentially creating up to 40 new jobs.
Heavy price promotions within biscuits and ambient cakes are likely to end soon, as rising and energy and commodity prices begin to bite, warns research firm Key Note.
Holland’s Pies has confirmed that 10 manufacturing staff will leave the Accrington firm as it bids to become “more efficient and competitive in the marketplace”.
Premier Foods subsidiary RF Brookes has lost a major contract to supply Marks & Spencer (M&S) with private label pies, FoodManufacture.co.uk has learnt.
The Real Good Food Company (RGFC) reported at its AGM today that, having tackled the volatile sugar supply situation, new branded launches and a revamped bakery business mean it is on track to exceed market forecasts in 2011.
Northern Foods/2 Sisters Food Group began meeting suppliers yesterday, with the professed aim of shedding around half ‘‘over time’’ in a bid to boost supply chain efficiency and increase turnover to £3bn by 2015.
Despite his firm's successful push to boost foodservice sales over the past year, Lees Foods ceo Clive Miquel believes the retail sector is where the “real growth lies” , as the company looks to extend its brands into complementary product areas.
Wirral Borough Council says it ''left no stone unturned'' in trying to persuade Burton’s Foods not to close its Moreton biscuit factory, and even offered the company a £450,000 grant as a sweetener.
Local MP Angela Eagle has slammed Burton's Foods as "disloyal" after it announced today that it was going ahead with closing its biscuit factory in Moreton.
Northern Foods is proposing to close it Leeds office and move the majority of staff to its ‘shared service centre’ in Wakefield, FoodManufacture.co.uk has learnt, as owner Ranjit Boparan starts restructuring his new acquisition.
Low-calorie snack producer Crips says it is on course to achieve a £10m turnover within three years, and hopes to gain more national listings with UK supermarkets, having just gained its first with Morrisons.
Nestlé has revealed to FoodManufacture.co.uk that it is planning a significant extension to its confectionery and biscuit product technology centre (PTC) in York.
Premier Foods is hosting an investor day today (Friday) with the aim of convincing sceptical analysts and investors that its business strategy is sound.
Mark Fairweather, chief executive of Allied Bakeries, has called on retailers to accept inevitable bread price rises due to rising input costs, and specifically pressure arising from global speculation on wheat.
Uniq ceo Geoff Eaton says retailers cannot continue to demand bespoke desserts for rock-bottom prices, following his firm’s recent review of this arm of its business.
Greencore has refused to comment on rumours that it has appointed bankers to explore a possible £100m takeover of chilled food group Uniq, while Brookes/Avana may also be on the firm's radar after Premier Foods said it is willing to consider offers...
Makers of pies and pastries have slammed the media for unfairly demonising their products as 'unhealthy', and have vowed to launch a counter-offensive in a bid to transform public perception.
Analysts have questioned chief executive Robert Schofield’s continued presence at Premier Foods, as the company reported a 3.1% decline in first quarter sales today.
British Bakels is targeting substantial growth as it invests more than £1.5M at its site in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and introduces its biggest launch in decades on to the market.
