All articles by Michael Barker – Page 6
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More deals on way after Milk Link Llandyrnog buy
Milk Link chief executive Neil Kennedy has targeted further acquisitions following the purchase of the Llandyrnog Creamery last week.
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Dairy industry looks to pick up supply after DFB's failure
It's all over now for Dairy Farmers of Britain. But could its demise lead to a healthier dairy industry in the end, ask Michael Barker and Richard Ford
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PWC pledges to keep DFB's supply flowing
PricewaterhouseCoopers has pledged to do all it can to ensure milk and cheese supplies continue after Dairy Farmers of Britain went into receivership this week.PwC, which was announced as receiver and manager for the £562m turnover company...
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Beef industry questions Greenpeace findings
The UK beef industry has hit back at Greenpeace claims that the use of beef from companies illegally deforesting the Amazon is widespread.
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Müller puts low fat at heart of revamp of Healthy Balance
Müller has given its Healthy Balance brand a £2m revamp and asked retailers to stock it next to other low-fat products, rather than with the rest of the Corner range.The revamp, which includes a new recipe and pack design as well as an extra...
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OFF's intensive orchards boost organic apple crop
Organic Farm Foods has launched a new planting project that it claims will slash the cost of English organic apples.The shelf price of OFF's organic apples is set to fall 20% to £1.99 a bag as a result of the project, making them much more...
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NewsEnd of the road for DFB as receivers called in
Dairy Farmers of Britain has gone into receivership, ending months of speculation over the future of the troubled milk co-operative.
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South American fall in beef production to keep UK prices high
UK beef prices are set to remain high for the foreseeable future as the double whammy of falling production in South America and tightening European supplies hits home.EU countries have found it harder to source beef from South America this...
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Florette set to move into the fruit market in 2010
The Florette brand is set to be launched into fruit for the first time, The Grocer can reveal.Although still at the discussion stage, Florette fruit could be launched as early as next year. The product line-up has not yet been agreed, but...
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2 Sisters vows to fulfil orders following blaze
Despite a devastating blaze at one of its key factories this week, 2 Sisters has assured retailers it will continue to meet demand.Fire fighters spent 24 hours tackling a blaze that severely damaged 80% of the poultry specialist's Morecambe...
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Wiseman determined to keep increasing volumes
Robert Wiseman Dairies has vowed to go on investing in and increasing volumes on the back of solid results this week, despite a tough outlook for the sector.Turnover rose 17.4% to £848m for the 53 weeks to 4 April, with operating profit up...
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Dairy Crest ramps up focus on brand stable
Dairy Crest plans to increase its focus on brands after their impressive performance over the past year, chief executive Mark Allen has revealed.Sales of Clover and Country Life spreads had both risen 29% by volume in the year to 31 March,...
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Rice commodity cost falls 40%, but retail price lags far behind
Commodity costs have fallen sharply, but retail prices are following only sluggishly - and nowhere more so than on the humble staple rice.
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Parripak puts the variety in veg
Tempted to focus on core lines and shelve diversification plans? Don't. Diversifiation is the secret of success in a recession, Parripak MD Gavin McNally tells Michael Barker
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Purchase of Salads To Go boosts clout of Florette's Soleco UK
Soleco UK, which owns the Florette brand, has acquired Salads To Go in a move that gives the producer a major presence in both branded and own-label salad production.The deal this week brings French-owned Soleco UK's turnover up to £75m and...
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Suppliers hit out at 'Big Brother' probe of gang labour use
Suppliers using temporary gang labour have called for a new supermarket protocol to be rejected unless it is revamped to give more protection to sensitive company information. Under the new proposals, put out for consultation last week,...
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NewsThe Grocer in the media - Pig and Poultry LIVE 09
The pig and poultry industries need to improve their marketing and do more to engage the consumer, producers have claimed. The poultry industry has been abject in terms of marketing and needed a sustained effort from all sides, argued John Bowler of John Bowler Eggs, who was speaking at this month’s ...
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NewsNewcomer expected to challenge leading strawberry varieties
A new strawberry variety hailed as a “quantum leap forward” for soft fruit production is set to be sold in commercial volumes.
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Value produce puts strain on chain
Fresh produce value lines are failing to keep pace with demand, causing chaos for producers - but allowing shoppers to buy quality produce at bargain prices. Retailers have expanded their cheapest ranges to offer more affordable prices to...
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Tesco targets a million new Clubcard members
Tesco expects to add one million new Clubcard members into the fold as a result of the £150m revamp of its loyalty card scheme.