The European Commission (EC) has given the go ahead to the
acquisition of Stork Food Systems (SFS) by Marel after an
investigation by the European competition authorities.
Netherlands-based dairy rivals, Friesland Foods and Campina, have
yesterday reached an agreement to combine their operations in a bid
to maximize returns from their milk supply.
Danone remains tight-lipped over reports that it hopes to merge a
number of rival companies run by the founder of its Chinese joint
venture partner Wahaha into its own operations in the country.
First Milk, a leading UK dairy cooperative, is reassessing its
growth plans after merger talks with national rival Milk Link were
mutually called off yesterday.
Danone yesterday remained tight lipped over the possibility of
making an imminent acquisition into India's high growth dairy
market, as part of the company's longstanding expansion aims for
the country.
Friesland Foods and Campina revealed today that exploratory talks
are underway to merge into a global dairy giant - and
Campina CEO Justin Sanders is standing down "to give the
talks more chance for success".
Chr Hansen has signed a conditional agreement to buy Swedish Arla
Foods' subsidiary Medipharm, a deal which will strengthen the
Danish firm's probiotic activities.
Groupe Danone expects to conclude its acquisition of nutrition
company Numico in the first half of November, the two companies
said today, setting a timetable for the French group's bid to lead
the field in health and nutrition.
Danisco has cut a deal to sell its flavours division to Firmenich
that will let it focus resources on its bioingredients, texturants
and sweeteners competencies - while still keeping some interest in
flavours through a partnership...
Safety and innovation were on the agenda this week, when the head
of French dairy group Lactalis met with the Croatian vice president
to discuss the company's plans for rejuvenating the country's dairy
sector.
French dairy group Danone has bought complete control of its
Japanese joint venture, lured by the promise of riches from rapidly
growing consumer demand for healthy dairy products.
One of the UK's largest dairy machine manufacturers will continue
to operate as an independent company following its acquisition by
Tetra Laval this month.
UK dairy co-operative Milk Link has consolidated its position in
the country's cheese market after buying out partner firm Glanbia
from The Cheese Company.
Tetra Laval's anticipated acquisition of the cheese-making
equipment division of a UK-based firm will not be referred to the
Competition Commission (CC) after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
accepted proposals addressing competition...
French dairy firm Lactalis has bought out domestic rival Celia in
its latest move to expand, giving the group a foothold in the
emerging North African dairy market.
French food and water giant Danone has built up a war chest of up
to €1bn to spend on acquisitions over the next three to five years,
according to a report.
Dairy Crest has signed a deal to buy the doorstep milk delivery
business of rival Arla Foods UK, claiming the prospect of cost
savings outweighs falling demand in the sector.
Swiss dairy group Emmi said it would expand its reach in Italy's
fresh dairy sector by taking over yoghurt maker Trentinalatte,
rounding off another week of consolidation on the European dairy
market.
French dairy group Danone has seen shares rise after rumours again
surfaced that the firm may be taken over by a foreign company, this
time Kraft Foods.
Campina has bought dairy ingredient producer Inovatech Argentina,
signalling the Dutch-owned company's desire to reach further into
the global specialized ingredients market, with an particular
emphasis on nutrition.
Lactalis, France's largest dairy processor, has carried its
wheeling and dealing on into 2006 after signing a deal to buy
Italian cheese producer Galbani.
Dairy Crest, Britain's biggest dairy processor, has denied holding
takeover talks with French dairy giant Lactalis, despite the
emergence of Lactalis documents weighing up the pros and cons of a
deal.
The New Zealand dairy co-operative has bought a 43 per cent stake
in one of China's biggest dairy processors, as the world's dairy
giants scramble for position in one of the most promising markets.
Danone's chairman appeared to defend French government proposals
for more transparency from firms during takeover rumours, in an
internal interview concerning the recent PepsiCo gossip.
Milk Link's acquisition of Glanbia Foods has proved a mixed bag for
the UK dairy cooperative over the last year - pushing up sales yet
slamming profits into the red amid tough conditions.
Campina will merge its European dairy businesses to insulate
against retailer pressure and take advantage of growing consumer
demand for branded, added value dairy products, reports Chris
Mercer.
Signing yet another deal to feed its seemingly insatiable appetite
for acquisitions, US ingredients firm Cargill makes a drive into
the whey derivatives market, reports Lindsey Partos.
Chr Hansen is already on the look out for new acquisitions as the
firm enjoys a fresh financial thrust from its new private equity
owners, PAI partners, reports Lindsey Partos.
Ending months of speculation, the food ingredients arm of Chr
Hansen has a new owner: not a fellow industry player but food
acquisitive private equity firm PAI partners, reports Lindsey
Partos.
Campina, the Dutch dairy co-operative, yesterday informed its
member-farmers that the date of a crucial vote determining whether
it will merge with Arla Foods has been pushed back, to allow both
groups more time to reconsider "unresolved...
Asian drinks conglomerate San Miguel (SMC), currently embroiled in
a bidding war with New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra for
Australia's National Foods, is being lined-up as a potential buyer
for New Zealand Dairy Foods,...
US-based Graham Packaging is to acquire four Tetra Pak plants that
make HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic bottles for
nutritional beverages and value-added dairy beverages supplying
markets in Belgium, Brazil, Turkey, and the...
UK sugar and dairy powder firm Napier Brown Foods confirmed rumours
this week that it is in discussions that could lead to a possible
takeover, writes Lindsey Partos.
Committee members of Danish-Swedish dairy co-operative Arla Foods
have voiced concerns over a financial technicality which could
throw its approaching merger with Campina into disarray, Tom
Armitage reports.
Asian drinks conglomerate San Miguel has acquired a majority stake
in King's Creameries, a Singapore-registered ice cream producer -
but with new debt already financing its current expansion strategy
and a €1.07 billion bid to...
France's biggest dairy producer Lactalis is set to acquire fellow
French dairy producer Pochat, another acquisition aimed at
strengthening its branded, consumer dairy product line-up, Tom
Armitage reports.
The bolt-on acquisition of Rhodia Food Ingredients earlier this
year helps boost sales for Danish ingredients and sugar group
Danisco in an otherwise challenging 2004/05 first half.
Dairy ingredients firm Glanbia has bought the German nutrient
delivery systems company Kortus for €14.5 ($19.15) million, it said
yesterday, strengthening its product range and solution capability.
Germany's two largest dairies have terminated an agreement to
merge. Nordmilch, Germany's leading dairy co-operative, and Humana
Milchunion were set to merge in January 2005, but since have cited
"timing" and "restructuring...
Bolt-on acquisitions move ambitious Israeli flavours firm Frutarom
a step closer to its ambitions to reach the top ten flavour club
with the firm closing down on the purchase of IFF's fruit
preparations business in Europe.
The boards of Germany's two largest dairy companies, Bremer
Nordmilch and Humana Milchunione, have announced plans they are to
merge. The proposal is due to come into effect as of January 2005
and will allow them to overtake...
