Yildiz Holding

Godiva is closing all its retail outlets across the US and Canada. Pic: Godiva

Coronavirus

Godiva shuts up shop in North America and Canada

By Anthony Myers

‘Waning demand’ caused by the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in luxury chocolatier Godiva announcing it will close all its retail outlets in North America and Canada by the end of March this year.

Cem Karakaş is stepping down from his role as CEO of pladis. Pic: pladis

pladis CEO steps down

By Gill Hyslop

The McVitie’s and Carrs biscuit maker has announced that Cem Karakaş is stepping down as CEO with immediate effect due to ‘family health reasons.’

Ülker eyes leadership in Egypt’s biscuit market as it plans regional expansion. CEO Mehmet Tutuncu pictured. Photo: Ülker

Ülker plots geographic expansion with new parent pladis

By Oliver Nieburg

Turkish confectioner Ülker is aiming to become the leader in Egypt’s biscuit market and hopes to expand in the Middle East & North Africa, Central Asia, Russia and China through recent acquisitions.

A UB vehicle fuelled by waste oil coupled with a longer trailer, providing an 82.5% overall carbon dioxide saving

UB extends waste oil fuelled trucks

By Rick Pendrous

United Biscuits (UB), the manufacturer of biscuits, cakes and snacks, has extended an industry leading initiative that makes use of waste cooking oil to power its delivery vehicles.

United Biscuits' McVities brand hopes to boost sales in the Chinese market

United Biscuits eyes China as a key market for McVities

By Rick Pendrous

United Biscuits (UB) has announced that its total UK exports have rocketed 50% over the past three years and it expects this figure to rise a further 50% by 2020, as demand grows from countries such as China for its British brands.

Storm Desmond has devastated urban areas and threatened food production

United Biscuits factory hit by Storm Desmond

By Michael Stones

A United Biscuits factory alongside thousands of other businesses and private homes have been hit by Storm Desmond, which delivered record rainfall to north west England and Scotland.

United Biscuits' facilities needed upgrading, says McGurk

Me and my factory

Why United Biscuits had to invest £50M

By Nicholas Robinson

United Biscuits has pumped millions into its flagship Harlesden site. Kevin McGurk tells Nicholas Robinson why the investment had to be made

International chief Jeff van der Eems to take the reins at United Biscuits

United Biscuits boss to step down

By Oliver Nieburg

United Biscuits CEO Martin Glenn will leave the company to join the English Football Association and will be replaced by the boss of UB’s international business Jeff van der Eems.

United Biscuits makes Jacob's Cream Crackers at the Aintree plant

Strikes on hold at United Biscuits’ Aintree factory

By Rod Addy

Strikes have been suspended at United Biscuits’ (UB’s) Jacob’s Cream Cracker factory at Aintree while members of trades union GMB and management seek to repair relations with each other.

UB's Toll Cross factory in Glasgow makes products under the McVitie's brand

United Biscuits’ 202 job cuts ‘devastating’

By Rod Addy

United Biscuits’ (UB’s) plans to cut 202 jobs at its McVitie’s factory in Glasgow have been branded as ‘devastating’ by trades union GMB, having been revealed just weeks before Christmas.

The deal means UB can have a much more secure supply of cocoa beans and chocolate

United Biscuits crafts cocoa supply pact with Cargill

By Rod Addy

United Biscuits (UB) has clinched a three-year partnership with international food conglomerate Cargill ensuring dedicated cocoa and chocolate supplies for products such as Jaffa Cakes and McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives.

The Aintree factory makes Jacob's Cream Crackers

Jacob’s strike on at United Biscuits plant

By Rod Addy

United Biscuits’ (UB’s) Jacob’s factory faces a six-day strike, starting this Sunday (November 23), after last-minute talks to resolve a dispute over sick pay and outsourcing collapsed.

UB's advisors are exploring bidders for the company, as well as a potential stock market flotation

United Biscuits bid: Kellogg strong contender

By Rod Addy

A trade buyer looks set to acquire United Biscuits (UB) if a sale is decided upon, with Kellogg a strong contender among three core bidders, according to an industry expert.