The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
New site for Sleaford Quality Foods
Sleaford Quality Foods has expanded and is relocating to a new ‘state-of-the-art’ premises in Lincolnshire, where it has ambitious plans to increase its turnover over the next five years. The new premises comprise an eight-acre site on Woodbridge Road in Sleaford. The...
Amazon rumoured to be looking to acquire Waitrose
Reports that Amazon tried to start talks on buying Waitrose from the John Lewis Partnership surfaced over the weekend. An article in the Sunday Times suggested Amazon is attempting to take over the Waitrose grocery stores. With Amazon being an online-focused business...
France bans meat/dairy names for vegetarian and vegan products
French delegates have decided that vegetarian and vegan products may no longer contain 'meaty' name supplements or names that imply animal origin. It was decided at the end of April that marketing non-meat products with ‘meat language’ could confuse consumers....
It’s the final countdown to the MM Meat Industry Awards
With less than a month until the big day, organisers of the Meat Management Industry Awards say the ceremony and dinner is shaping up to be the best yet. The final flourishes are now being put in place for the event set to take place on 24th May at the Hilton...
Multiple senior marketing appointments at Weetabix
Weetabix Food Company UK & Ireland has announced a number of staff changes and appointments to bolster its marketing output. Stuart White, current head of brand at Alpen, will be moving into the position of head of innovation - Weetabix UK & Ireland. Zoe...
Nine major food deals completed in Q1 2018
Brexit continues to drive appetite for UK based food businesses among trade buyers and private equity, with nine significant deals completed during the first quarter of 2018. According to data from global investment banking and asset management firm Alantra, all nine...
Can smaller manufacturers succeed without supermarkets?
Supermarket listings are not the only route to success for smaller manufacturers – this is the message that Gareth Downie, director of West Coast Foods, is looking to spread. According to Downie, although the big retailers are encouraging more small enterprises in...
2 Sisters looks to build ‘culture of transparency’
2 Sisters Food Group has launched a new colleague suggestion scheme called TalktoMe that aims to develop a ‘culture of transparency and honesty’. The just-launched line of communication at major poultry processor aims to encourage employees from across the whole...
Dairy sector hits out at ‘misrepresentation’ in Eating Better report
Dairy UK has spoken out on what it states is “wilful misrepresentation” after a report was released seeming to urge reduced consumption of food products containing dairy. Commenting on the publication of Eating Better’s Principles for eating meat and dairy more...
Kantar declares Sainsbury’s/Asda merger a ‘pivotal moment for grocery’
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel reveal a market share of 15.9% and 15.5% for Sainsbury’s and Asda respectively, indicating potential for major change in the grocery market when the merger takes place. Talks between Sainsbury’s and Asda...