The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Asda reports continued growth in sales
Asda has seen its sales grow by 1.1% for the third quarter ending 30th September, as Walmart announced its financial earnings for the period. Net sales in the retailer were also up 3.6%, with the company seeing “improved results as customers responded to investments...
Brown Brothers receives round of public funding
Dumfries and Galloway based meat processing company, Brown Brothers Manufacturing Ltd, has been awarded more than £800,000 as part of the Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-operation grants. The support will allow the company to extend its premises and purchase new...
Supermarket sales on the rise, Kantar reveals
Kantar Worldpanel’s latest grocery market share figures for the 12 weeks to 5th November show that supermarket sales have increased in value by 3.2% year on year in the run up to Christmas. Fraser Mckevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel,...
Tesco takeover of Booker given provisional green light
The UK’s competition regulator has provisionally cleared Tesco’s £3.7bn takeover of Booker. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has stated that the deal could in fact increase competition in the wholesale market and mean reduced prices for consumers. CMA added...
Nisa votes ‘significantly’ in favour of Co-op acquisition
Nisa Retail has announced that its members have voted in favour of Co-op’s offer to buy 100% of the business for up to £137.5 million. A majority of 75.79% of Nisa’s members voted for the deal, as opposed to 24.1% who voted against. The offer requires clearance from...
Sainsbury’s unveils drop in profits despite growth in food
Sainsbury’s has seen underlying profit before tax drop by 9% to £251 million in its latest interim results for the 28 weeks to 23rd September, despite group sales jumping 17% to £16,310 million. According to the retailer, the fall in profits reflected “previously...
Weetabix appoints new head of technical
Weetabix Food Company has appointed John Petre as head of technical, succeeding John Pickles, head of R&D, and Keith Turnbull, head of quality, overseeing a team of 60 at the cereal brand. Petre will head up quality and compliance, as well as research and...
Hilton Food Group completes Icelandic Seachill acquisition
International meat packing business Hilton Food Group has announced the £80.8 million takeover of chilled UK fish processor Icelandic Group UK Limited (Seachill). Hilton had previously stated that the acquisition presents an “attractive growth opportunity and entry...
UK food suppliers expected to move supply chains out of the UK
Nearly two thirds of UK businesses, or 63%, including food businesses, expect to move their supply chain out of the UK as a result of Brexit, according to a survey from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). The figure marks a significant shift...
Roger Burnley appointed Asda president and CEO
Walmart International’s CEO, Dave Cheesewright, has announced that Roger Burnley is set to take on the role of Asda’s president and CEO from 1st January 2018, replacing Sean Clarke. Burnley returned to Asda as chief operating officer and deputy CEO in October 2016,...