Archives for January 29, 2014

← 2014

Greencore benefits from UK convenience and US sales

By Michael Stones

Strong UK convenience store sales and surging US growth have helped chilled food manufacturer Greencore achieve revenue of £320.5M for the 13 weeks to December 27 2013, up by 7.2% on the previous year.

2014 food deals – momentum builds

By Rod Addy

A flurry of UK food industry mergers and acquisitions (M&A) could take place in 2014 as sales already underway conclude and large firms seek to boost their equity.

Flatulent cows’ blast reveals dairy farming perils

By Rod Addy

Flatulent cows sparked an explosion in a farm shed at Rasdorf in Germany, according to a report published by international news agency Reuters, indicating some of the risks inherent in dairy farming.

Business Leaders' Forum

Food industry mergers and acquisitions to grow this year

By Michael Stones

Food industry mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are set to grow this year, with particular focus on mid-market activity in the UK, according to Ben Mercer, corporate partner with the law firm Stephenson Harwood.

Business Leaders' Forum

Horsemeat crisis adds to food firms’ audit costs

By Michael Stones

Food manufacturers are facing greatly increased audit costs, as a direct consequence of the horsemeat crisis, Richard Clothier, md of Wyke Farms, told the Business Leaders’ Forum earlier this month.

UK plant science in crisis because of skills shortages

By Rick Pendrous

The UK’s world leading position in plant science is in jeopardy from funding shortages and a lack of stable investment in essential skills, a new report from the UK Plant Sciences Federation (UKPSF) released yesterday [January 28] warns.

Robinsons, J2O dampen Britvic stills performance

By Rod Addy

The weaker performance of Robinsons and J2O hit Britvic’s still drinks volume sales in its first financial quarter (Q1), struggling against rivals’ promotions, despite Fruit Shoot’s recovery.

Campden BRI targets microbiological skills gap

By Rod Addy

Tesco, Sainsbury and 2 Sisters Food Group are among the firms contributing to a report published by Campden BRI designed to tackle the lack of training to fight microbiological food contamination.

Cheese firm fined £8k for forklift fall

By Michael Stones

A cheese manufacturer has been fined £8,000 for safety failings after a worker injured his leg and ankle after falling from the forks of a forklift truck.

Justin King to quit Sainsbury after 10 years

By Michael Stones

Sainsbury ceo Justin King – who is widely credited with reviving retailer’s once flagging fortunes – is to quit the supermarket this July, after 10 years at the helm.