News in brief

Glanbia ‘in line’ with full-year expectations after solid US performance

Irish dairy giant, Glanbia, is on track to meet its 2013 expectations after a “solid performance” in the first four months of the year.

DMK expands private label portfolio to include in-demand lactose-free UHT

German dairy giant, DMK Deutsches Milchkontor, has expanded its private label portfolio to exploit the “large potential” for low-lactose and lactose-free UHT milk products.

Yakult ordered to pull Olympics-themed advert in UK over health claims breach

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has slapped a ban on the broadcast of a Yakult TV advert, ruling that the ad implied there was a health advantage to drinking...

Emmi launches high-protein, low fat dairy range to meet increasing 'wellbeing' demand

Swiss dairy processor, Emmi, has launched a range of reduced-fat, high-protein, lactose-free dairy products – a development it has attributed to increasing consumer demand for “wellbeing dairy” over functional products.

News in brief

Synlait Milk reveals plans for share offering to fund Chinese ambitions

Chinese-owned New Zealand-based Synlait Milk Limited has announced plans for an initial public offering (IPO) of shares – through which it hopes to support its ambitions in China.

Mengniu to become 'single largest' shareholder of China Modern Dairy through deal

Mengniu has entered into an agreement that will see it become the single largest shareholder of China’s biggest raw milk producer, China Modern Dairy.

Parmalat requests $144m reduction in Lactalis American Group acquisition price

Italian dairy giant Parmalat has requested a $144m (€110m) reduction in the price it paid to acquire its sister unit, Lactalis American Group (LAG), from Lactalis in May 2012.

Arla ‘cements’ ambitions in Russia through JV share acquisition

Dairy giant Arla Foods has acquired the remaining stake of the joint venture that controls its activities in Russia – a move the company claims “cements” its ambitions in the country.

News in brief

Food firm deals dominate 2012 mergers and acquisitions

According to a recent market report, more than half of the consumer packaged goods (CPG) merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in 2012 involved food-based companies.

Greek yogurt ‘a platform’ for Activia probiotic brand expansion - Dannon

Dannon has launched a Greek yogurt variation of its popular probiotic-enriched Activia yogurt brand in the US – a combination the company has branded a “powerhouse.”

Dean Foods further reduces stake in WhiteWave Foods through share spin-off

US dairy giant Dean Foods has approved the spin-off of a portion of its remaining stake in The WhiteWave Foods Company to its shareholders – a move that will leave...

Abbott Laboratories shareholders reject proposal to remove GMOs from infant formula

An Abbott Laboratories shareholder proposal to remove genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) from its natural products - including its Similac infant formula range - has been rejected, the Illinois-based company has revealed.

Dairy Partners in talks with Saputo to acquire soon-to-close Welsh cheese plant

Saputo has confirmed that it is in talks with Dairy Partners in regards to the sale of its cheese manufacturing facility in Newcastle Emlyn, which was earmarked for closure earlier...

Danone, Yakult aim to further ‘collaborative relationship’ through deal

Yakult and its largest shareholder, Danone, have scrapped their nine-year old “strategic alliance” in favour of a new, looser agreement to further their “collaborative relationship.”

French private equity firm to acquire R&R Ice Cream

French private equity firm, PAI Partners, has entered into an agreement to acquire Europe’s largest private label ice cream manufacturer, R&R Ice Cream, for an undisclosed sum.

DAIRYREPORTER.COM TOP STORIES OF 2013....SO FAR

Top 5 Stories of the Year So Far: Chobani isn’t Greek, consumer concerned about aspartame in flavoured milk, and zits….

2013 has been an eventful year for the dairy industry, and we’re only four months in. The top five most popular stories of the year so far take the reader...

Parmalat pulls 2012 financial report after fresh milk acquisition annulled

Italian dairy processor, Parmalat, has been forced to withdraw its 2012 full-year financial report after a court in Rome annulled its acquisition of Italian fresh milk company, Central del Latte...

Mengniu and China Modern Dairy cryptically deny takeover rumours

China Modern Dairy has played down rumours of a takeover by “a third party” – assumed to be Mengniu – but has confirmed that talks are ongoing with the unnamed company in...

Dairy drink NPDs demonstrate ‘scale of our ambition’ – Arla Foods UK

Arla Foods UK has moved to increase its share of the rapidly growing dairy drinks category with the launch of two new products – Wing-Co protein-enriched chocolate milk, and GULP...

Lactalis in talks to acquire soon-to-close German Saputo cheese plant

French dairy giant, Lactalis, is on the verge of acquiring Saputo’s soon-to-close cheese manufacturing facility in Heiden, Germany for an undisclosed price.

A2C prepares first a2 infant formula shipment to China

A2 Corporation (A2C) – the New Zealand-based manufacturer of a2 fresh milk – has commenced packing of its new a2 Platinum infant formula range, and hopes to make its first...

Nestlé agrees to licence out Pfizer infant nutrition brands in Australia, Southern Africa

Pharmaceuticals supplier, Aspen, has entered into an agreement with Nestlé to acquire the licences to sell the firm’s recently-purchased Pfizer infant nutrition brand portfolio in Australia and several Southern African...

News in brief

Dairy Crest attempts to secure pension fund with £60m cheese agreement

British dairy processor, Dairy Crest, is attempting to plug any holes in its Group Pension Fund with £60m ($92m, €70m) worth of maturing cheese.

Nestlé sales growth slows – but CEO reconfirms expectations

Nestlé has reported slower sales growth in the first quarter of 2013 hit by unrest in the Middle East and a cold start to spring, which affected sales of ice...

News in brief

Müller Dairy appoints new commercial director

Müller Dairy has appointed Bill Mathieson as its new commercial director.