Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Olam leverages African position with $167M Nigerian biscuit and candy acquisition

10-Feb-2012 - Singapore-based ingredients firm Olam has acquired Nigerian biscuit and candy maker Titanium Holding Company for $167M as it looks to seize upon the developing African market.

GEA food sector acquisitions focus after 2011 results boost

09-Feb-2012 - GEA has vowed to continue its focus on food sector acquisitions after the company’s newly acquired Convenience Food Technologies segment helped drive 2011 sales and revenue.

Raw material price hikes boost sales for AAK

09-Feb-2012 - AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) has posted modest growth in its fourth quarter (Q4) and final year results driven by raw material price increases and strong performance in its core food ingredients segment.

Cargill eyes Eastern Europe with €20m chocolate upgrade in Germany

09-Feb-2012 - Cargill has announced plans to invest €20m in two cocoa and chocolate production facilities in Germany as it looks to boost its presence domestically and in Eastern Europe.

News in brief

BIP strengthens UK position with What Next Candy acquisition

06-Feb-2012 - Dutch confectionery firm BIP Candy & Toy has acquired British-based What Next Candy for an undisclosed sum.

Natra establishes chocolate subsidiary after reorganisation

06-Feb-2012 - Spanish firm Natra has announced a new international chocolate subsidiary as it attempts to improve efficiency and explore new markets.

Hershey records growth as international markets shine

02-Feb-2012 - The Hershey Company has announced improved sales and gross profit in its fourth quarter (Q4) and end of year results as sales in emerging markets soared.

Zetar establishes French subsidiary

26-Jan-2012 - UK-based confectionery and snacks firm Zetar has established a French subsidiary to leverage its position in continental Europe.

Sensient opens new color and flavor factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil

25-Jan-2012 - Wisconsin-based colors, flavors and fragrances giant Sensient Technologies has signaled its ambitions in the fast-growing Brazilian food market with the opening of a new color and flavor complex in Jundiaí, Sao Paulo.

News in brief

Asian orders drive growth for Bühler

20-Jan-2012 - Food technology group Bühler has announced 12.5% growth in sales for 2011 due to increased orders from new customers in Asia.

Sugar keeps things sweet for ABF

19-Jan-2012 - Exceptional sales growth for sugar will fuel expansion at Associated British Foods (ABF), say food industry analysts, even if Q1 continued to highlight struggles for the food ingredients side of the business.

Sugar segment helps Südzucker’s profits soar

19-Jan-2012 - Ingredients firm Südzucker has seen a sharp increase in its operating profit for the third quarter (Q3) propelled by gains in its sugar segment.

Kraft to cut 1,600 jobs in preparation for company split

18-Jan-2012 - Kraft Foods has said it will cut about 1,600 jobs from its US and Canadian workforce over the next 12 months, as it prepares to split into two separate companies.

Barry Callebaut growth dented by European shortfall

18-Jan-2012 - A downturn in sales throughout Western Europe has seen Barry Callebaut fail to meet its projected growth for the first quarter. However the Swiss chocolate supplier said it is still outperforming the market.

Callebaut sees Mexican potential with Grupo Bimbo supply deal

17-Jan-2012 - Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has today announced the signing of a long-term supply agreement with Latin American bakery firm Grupo Bimbo.

Lindt sales behind expectations with Nestle takeover possible – analyst

16-Jan-2012 - Swiss chocolatier Lindt has recorded sales below market expectations and could be subject to a takeover from Nestle, according to an analyst from Kepler Capital Markets.

News in brief

Ferrero Group appoints new md

13-Jan-2012 - Confectionery firm Ferrero Group has appointed Pieraldo Oldano as the new md of Ferrero UK & Ireland.

Strong Q1-Q3 for Agrana driven by sugar and starch segments

12-Jan-2012 - Favourable market trends and successful business strategies have driven strong profits in Agrana’s sugar and starch segments, creating 20.2% growth for the first three quarters of 2011|12, the CEO said.

News in brief

Thorntons sales fall below expectations over festive period

12-Jan-2012 - UK chocolate firm Thorntons has announced that its second quarter sales had fallen below expectations in a trading update issued today.

Mars France expands M&M production capacity with €40m investment

11-Jan-2012 - Mars Chocolat France has announced plans for a multimillion investment in its Haguenau plant that will boost the site’s production capacity by 20%.

Chr. Hansen results beat expectations, colours providing improved ROI

11-Jan-2012 - Chr. Hansen’s first quarter results for financial year 2011/12 are a notch stronger than analysts had expected.

Callebaut eyes European leadership for nut products with La Morella acquisition

11-Jan-2012 - Barry Callebaut has acquired a 100% stake in Spanish company La Morella Nuts for an undisclosed sum as it aims to be the European leader for nut products.

Tangerine Confectionery acquires Smith Kendon brands

09-Jan-2012 - UK-based Tangerine Confectionery has added two Smith Kendon brands to its portfolio as it continues to expand through brand acquisitions.

Nestle UK moves HQ from Croydon to Gatwick

05-Jan-2012 - Nestle UK has announced today that it is to move its head offices from Croydon to a site near Gatwick by the end of 2012.