Inside food & drink manufacturing
Private equity group Blackstone is close to acquiring the stake owned by investors Growth Capital Partners in Tangerine Confectionery, the largest British manufacturer of sugar confectionery and branded popcorn, claim media reports.
Heinz’s frozen and chilled foods facility near Norwich remains closed, after a devastating fire last Friday ravaged the portion of the site that produces Aunt Bessie’s potato products.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) says news that the Groceries Code Adjudicator may not start work until mid-2013 will harm innovation in the sector amongst small and medium-sized companies and reduce consumer choice.
Former Thorntons chairman Peter Thornton says the firm's current woes are due to an unduly large shop chain, poorer product quality and "extremely bad" retail marketing.