Graham's Dairies has further expanded its operations. The business
acquired Stevenson Dairy Farm this week in a move that consolidates
its position as Scotland's largest family-owned dairy.
International Specialty Products (ISP) continues to consolidate its
position on the ingredients market with the news this week that it
has acquired Brazilian ingredient systems company Germinal.
Valio's Belgian subsidiary, Valio-Vache Bleue, has taken over the
operational and commercial activities of International Food &
Business - Brussels Food Distribution (IFB-BFD).
The UK competition authorities have asked permission from the
European Commission to rule on the proposed merger of Arla Foods
and Express Dairies in the UK.
Dairy giant Arla Foods is planning to cut 600 jobs over the next
three financial years. The job losses will largely be contained
within the group's administrative departments.
RhodiaFood, part of French speciality chemicals company Rhodia,
recently announced that it would hike up the price of its Rhodigel
food grade xanthan gum by 10 per cent.
Dairy processor Robert Wiseman has posted an 11 per cent increase
in sales volumes for 2002, helped by investment in its dairy
facilities and important new supply contracts with the major
multiples.
German enzyme company AB Enzymes, a subsidiary of ABITEC Group, the
food ingredient and specialty chemicals group, announced this week
that it has acquired Gamma Chemie, a German-based enzyme business.
A substantial improvement in the profitability of its core dairy,
rice and sugar unit has helped Spain's Ebro Puleva group to
maintain profit levels in the first quarter despite a decline in
sales.
The subsidiary of Raisio Group, Raisio Nutrition, has bought a
dairy in Istra, just outside Moscow and is due to start production
there as soon as government regulations are fulfilled.
Swiss food group Nestlé has reported solid organic growth for the
first quarter of 2003, stressing the importance of product
innovation during the period. But actual sales declined as a result
of the continued strength of the Swiss...
Fromageries Bel, the French cheese group, has reported a slight
decline in sales as a result of the depreciation of the dollar and
poor economic conditions in core markets such as Germany and the
Middle East.
Finnish dairy group Valio has reported a rise in sales, helped by
strong gains from cheese and ice cream. But profits were reduced as
a result of exceptional items related to the sale of a US unit and
the planned closure of a production...
French yoghurt manufacturer Danone has announced that it has raised
its stake in probiotics maker Yakult to 19 per cent, citing strong
performance of the Japanese company as the reason for its long-term
investment.
Scottish dairy producer McLelland is investing a total of £13
million to extend its cheese-making operations in Stranraer. The
plans include the building of a new 10,000 ton cold store and
general storage facilities.
Despite currency devaluations in both North and South America,
Italian dairy group Parmalat posted only a 2.7 per cent decline in
sales for 2002 as a programme of product roll-outs helped boost
organic volume growth.
Express Dairies, the UK's leading liquid milk supplier, and Arla
UK, the British arm of Europe's largest dairy co-op, are merging to
create a stronger position in both the liquid milk and dairy
spreads sectors.
Focusing on improving quality rather than lifting sales has paid
off for Dutch dairy group Campina, which has seen a solid
improvement in sales for its core brands despite volatile
international dairy markets.
Dairy Crest, the UK chilled dairy foods company, is on track to
meet its profit targets for 2002 after strong performances from its
leading brands such as Clover, Cathedral City, Frijj and Yoplait.
The Irish Dairy Board, producer of the Kerrygold brand, has
acquired Meadow Cheese, a UK-based company supplying cheese to
producers of processed convenience foods.
The quality of its products - and an ongoing programme of
international expansion - helped French cheese maker Bongrain to
lift its profits last year despite a decline in sales.
A strong performance from key brands, plus the addition of a number
of new products previously owned by Nutricia, helped Dutch dairy
group Friesland Coberco overcome the negative impact of depressed
world dairy prices in 2002.
Swiss cheese company Emmi is to merge three business units from 1
January next year to create a company dedicated to the production
and marketing of processed cheese, in particular fondue.
Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods has installed new production lines at two of
its dairy plants located in the Central Region of Russia, as part
of a continuing modernisation project aimed at further improving
operating efficiencies and maintaining...
Weak international dairy markets took their toll on sales at
Ireland-based food and ingredients group Glanbia in 2002, pushing
down turnover from €2.6 billion to €2.3 billion.
Irish food ingredient and dairy company Kerry continues to move
forward with the group reporting on Tuesday a 22 per cent leap in
2002 profits after tax to €189 million thanks to a strong
perfomance across all businesses.
Dutch dairy group Campina has announced the acquisition of
Germany's Strothmann company, a move which will increase Campina's
presence in one of the most important dairy markets in Europe.
Ebro Puleva has confirmed its position as the leading food group in
Spain with a solid performance in 2002. And it is the company's
dairy division that has reported the strongest results.
Struggling Dutch nutritional supplement company Numico is rumoured
to be the target of a bid by dairy products giant Danone, although
the French company has denied having any interest in the Dutch
firm.
Ireland's Glanbia and Uruguay's Conaprole have joined forces to
help develop the market for dairy ingredients in Latin America. A
new joint venture company, Conabia, based in Mexico, will develop
sales throughout Central...
Dutch nutrition company Numico is struggling to stay afloat at the
moment, but rumours in the Dutch press suggest French dairy giant
Danone could be interested in a bid. An odd choice for the French
company which has been streamlining...
Dutch life science company DSM saw net profit for the fourth
quarter of 2001 rise to €1,031 million from €119 million in the
fourth quarter of 2000, largely due to the sale of the depositary
receipts. Profit on 4Q ordinary activities...
Merger and acquisition activity in the US food industry plunged in
2002 - according to the US Food Institute - and both the
agricultural and dairy sectors have to proved to be no exception
Campina, the international dairy food and ingredients group, is
mulling a formal co-operation with German company Strothmann in a
bid to increase its presence in the dairy dessert sector.
Swiss flavours company Givaudan has signed an agreement to acquire
International Bioflavors - a leading US producer of natural cheese
and dairy flavours.
The cost of the rapid expansion at Russian dairy producer
Wimm-Bill-Dann was reflected by an 84 per cent rise in sales
expenses in the first nine months of the year, but the benefits
still outweigh the cost.
Russia's leading dairy group Wimm-Bill-Dann has acquired a majority
stake in the Ukrainian milk powder producer Burynsky in order to
ensure a steady supply of powder during seasonal declines in milk
production.
Richmond Foods, the UK's leading producer of ice cream brands, has
reported excellent figures for 2002, boosted by the acquisition at
the start of the year of the Nestle business in the UK. Major
investments in production, and...
