Pernod Ricard to sell portfolio of strategic international wines
Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement to sell its international strategic wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL), a consortium of international institutional investors and owner of Accolade Wines.
This disposal will allow Pernod Ricard to further strengthen its premiumization strategy and to direct its resources to its portfolio of premium international spirits and champagne brands that drive the growth of its business.
The transaction is the result of Pernod Ricard’s continuous assessment of its strategic opportunities, in line with its longstanding policy to deliver sustainable value for its shareholders, employees, clients and partners.
The transaction includes the sale of a wide portfolio of strongly established international wine brands owned and produced by Pernod Ricard Winemakers, with over 10 million 9Lcs cases annually from three origins including Jacob’s Creek, Orlando and St Hugo from Australia, Stoneleigh, Brancott Estate and Church Road from New Zealand and Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus and Azpilicueta from Spain. The business is an integrated platform from vineyard to bottle and includes seven wineries.
With this transaction, Pernod Ricard will sell its wine division to a player of global scale, with a route to market solely dedicated to the wine industry. Its wine brands will benefit from the focus required to achieve their potential, reinforce their position, and seize new opportunities around the world.
Closing of the transaction remains subject to fulfilment of customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances, and is expected to occur during H2 2025.
Meatly becomes first European company authorised to sell cultivated meat, following UK clearance for cultivated pet food
Meatly has received regulatory clearance to sell cultivated meat for pet food in the UK, making it the first in the world to get authorisation for cultivated pet food. A huge leap forward for the cultivated meat industry, gaining regulatory approval also makes Meatly the first-ever cultivated meat company approved for sale in any European country.
The public announcement follows a close collaborative process between Meatly and the UK’s regulatory bodies, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The relevant UK Government departments have ensured that Meatly complies with all necessary regulations, and Meatly has now passed APHA’s rigorous inspection process. Meatly will continue to adhere to APHA’s ongoing inspections.
As a result of this process, Meatly’s cultivated chicken for pet food can now be sold in the UK.
Beyond the approvals needed, Meatly has proactively prepared a comprehensive safety dossier and conducted extensive testing to demonstrate that its cultivated chicken is safe and healthy for pets. Testing included demonstrating that their cultivated chicken is free from bacteria and viruses, that the nutrients used to grow the cells are safe, and that the final chicken product is safe, nutritious, and free from GMOs, antibiotics, harmful pathogens, heavy metals, and other impurities.
Meatly is a registered feed business operator, and its production facility has now been approved by DEFRA and APHA to produce and handle its cultivated chicken. Meatly plans to launch the first samples of its commercially available pet food this year, making it the first cultivated pet food sold. Beyond these initial samples, Meatly’s primary focus will remain on cost reduction, and it will start scaling production to reach industrial volumes in the next three years.
Commenting on the announcement, Owen Ensor, Meatly CEO said: “Today marks a significant milestone for the European cultivated meat industry. I’m incredibly proud that Meatly is the first company in Europe to get the green light to sell cultivated meat. We are proving that there is a safe and low-capital way to rapidly bring cultivated meat to market.
“We’re delighted to have worked proactively alongside the UK’s regulators to showcase that Meatly chicken is safe and healthy for pets. Pet parents are crying out for a better way to feed their cats and dogs meat – we’re so excited to meet this demand. We can now continue our mission to give consumers an easy choice – ensuring we can feed our beloved pets the real meat they need and crave, in a way that is kinder to our planet and other animals.”
Jim Mellon, Founder of Agronomics, an investor in Meatly, added: “Meatly’s regulatory approval is a landmark event for the industry. Through its technological innovation and close work with governing authorities, Meatly is helping prove that we can succeed in commercialising cultivated products for pets across the UK. Our pets consume huge amounts of meat every day and so this development can play a crucial part in reducing the emissions, resource consumption, and animal suffering caused by traditional meat production.”
Regal Foods expands in chilled desserts sector with Love Cheesecakes acquisition
Yorkshire-based food group, Regal Food Products Group Plc is set to boost its chilled desserts offer with the acquisition of artisan cheesecake makers, Love Cheesecakes.
Based in Lancaster, Love Cheesecakes specialises in handcrafting over 100 premium cheesecakes for wholesale, food services and the hospitality sector.
Focusing on single serve and canapé style cheesecakes, the bakery also sells directly to consumers through event catering, attending festivals and other large outdoor events.
In 2020 Love Cheesecakes appeared on the popular television show, Dragons’ Den, giving the artisan bakery a step on the online ladder. The bakery now also holds a strong online presence through several ecommerce platforms in which it operates. With a strong focus on gifting, the service allows customers to indulge in doorstep desserts at home.
Since the acquisition of Just Desserts Yorkshire in 2022 and more recently Love Handmade Cakes, the Regal Group have strategically focused on growing and developing their desserts range in the food service and wholesale market.
Younis Chaudhry, CEO of Regal Food Products Group, said: “The acquisition of Love Cheesecakes will further strengthen our chilled desserts portfolio allowing us to give customers a solid offer across all ranges and price points.
“With a catalogue of over 100 products, there will be plenty of opportunities for new product developments, giving us the platform to bring a whole new range of exciting flavours and combinations to customers old and new.
“As a group we have the resources and infrastructure in place to bring Love Cheesecakes in line with our vision and family of dessert brands and look forward to integrating the bakery and its assets into one of our existing manufacturing sites.
“This strategic step will further strengthen our growth and open up opportunities in the chilled desserts category.”
James Asquith, founder of Love Cheesecakes, adds: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for the Love Cheesecakes, promising tremendous growth and innovation. I am confident that Regal Food Products Group’s expertise and resources will take the bakery to new heights, reaching even more customers and continuing to deliver the quality and values we as a business stand for.”
The acquisition of Love Cheesecakes was advised by Mills & Reeve LLP.
Alex Kenworthy, Partner at Mills & Reeve LLP, said: “It’s a real pleasure to be part of the Regal story in helping them grow with the acquisitions of Love Cheesecakes and Love Handmade Cakes. You only have to follow them on social media to see the passion, pride and enthusiasm they have for their brands. Regal is a real gem in the Yorkshire food sector, and the food sector team at Mills & Reeve is delighted to be by their side.”
Plant-based firm expands HQ to keep up with demand
A plant-based firm’s factory has expanded only months after opening, amid “sensational” demand from consumers.
Myco has added another 3,000 sq ft to its production site in North Yorkshire, which will allow for a 600 per cent increase in production of the firm’s Hooba range of burgers and sausages.
The extension means Myco can vertically farm far more oyster mushrooms, which are converted into Hooba under that same roof.
Having recently brought the range to market, the company said it has proven so popular it had to expand to meet growing demand.
“Sales of our Hooba range have exceeded even our highest hopes, and the feedback we’ve had from customers has been superb,” said Myco CEO, David Wood.
“We had always planned on scaling up production over the next few years, but to be able to expand as quickly as this is incredibly exciting – and it is a testament to the quality of our product.”
Myco’s growth isn’t just limited to the number of mushrooms it can produce – with the team swelling thanks to two new vital appointments.
Business development consultant Will Marshall and Catherine Priestly, food service business development consultant, have joined the team.
With 18 years in the food industry, Catherine has worked for several notable names including Fable, Meatless Farm and Genius, while Will’s sales and marketing background has seen him in commercial director level positions for the likes of Xerox.
‘Free from’ food brand secures £2m
Harrogate-based Kirsty’s, the ‘free from’ range of ready meals, has raised £2m from Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) – Mercia Equity Finance.
With the funding from NPIF II, Kirsty’s will be able to launch new ‘food to go’ ranges and develop other new products. The investment is expected to add 15 new jobs to its 55-strong team in the next six months at the company’s Harrogate factory. As part of the deal Ian Kent, the former Commercial Director of Stateside Foods, has been appointed as Chair.
Created and launched by Kirsty Henshaw, Kirsty’s was founded in 2009 after discovering that her son Jacob had multiple food allergies, including to nuts, as well as dairy intolerance. With so few healthy and tasty food options available to her, she began experimenting with different recipes and started selling small batches of ice cream to health food stores.
Gaining in popularity and receiving interest from major retailers such as Tesco, she took her business to Dragon’s Den in 2010. After successfully securing backing from Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne, Kirsty subsequently bought back their shares three years later after launching her meals into supermarkets across the country in 2012.
In 2020, Kirsty’s opened a state-of-the-art 100 per cent allergen-free factory in Harrogate bringing all its manufacturing operations in-house.
The company supplies all the major supermarkets.
Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty’s, said: “Nothing beats fresh, home cooked food, however with modern life being busier than ever, we know that’s not always achievable, especially for those with allergies who have to prepare everything from scratch. We set out to create a range of healthy, convenience foods that everyone could enjoy whether they have an allergy or not.
“Our success is a real testament to our hard-working team. This funding will enable us to take the business to a new level and fulfil its true potential.”
Chris Borrett of Mercia Ventures said: “Kirsty is an incredible founder with a deep passion, an unstoppable drive and infectious personality. She has built a strong brand, a great team and a defensible platform for future growth.
“As our population becomes more aware of what they consume, and with busy lives and more dual income households, Kirsty’s is poised to truly lead the healthy convenience and allergen-free sectors. With strong relationships with all the major UK retailers and a roadmap of exciting new products, we are excited about the growth journey ahead.”
Greggs to create new National Distribution Centre in Kettering
Tritax Symmetry has announced plans for a new National Distribution Centre for Greggs plc at Symmetry Park, Kettering.
The planning application details proposals for 311,551 sq ft of logistics space on a 25.1-acre plot. The unit will be designed to a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, achieving an EPC A rating and meeting Net Zero Carbon in Construction requirements.
The initiative is part of Greggs’ strategic growth plan, announced in 2021, which set out ambitious expansion targets requiring investment in significant supply chain capacity.
Greggs currently has 2,500 shops and its longer-term growth plans target an estate of significantly more than 3,000 shops in the UK. This investment will bolster its capacity to directly supply ambient and chilled products to a growing portfolio of shops.
Tritax Symmetry is also seeking planning permission for an additional 100,000 sq ft to enable Greggs to expand the site further. The centre will be a key part of Symmetry Park, Kettering, which extends to 136 acres in total and benefits from outline planning permission for 2,310,000 sq ft of logistics floor space overall.
Subject to planning, Greggs expects its National Distribution Centre on Symmetry Park, Kettering, to be operational in the first half of 2027.
Tritax Symmetry is being represented by BNP, Cushman and Wakefield, and DTRE. Wright Silverwood is representing Greggs.
Müller partners with NaviLens to increase accessibility for blind and partially sighted people
In a first for the UK dairy industry, Müller Yogurt & Desserts will roll out NaviLens codes across all its branded products, increasing accessibility for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. The move, which is the latest in the dairy company’s brand and packaging refresh, is integral in Müller’s social commitment to help consumers live happier, healthier lives, and make the dairy category more inclusive and accessible for all consumers.
NaviLens is an award-winning app technology which sees a high-contrast colour code printed on product packaging, detectable by a smartphone camera from up to 12x farther than a QR code and with a wide reading angle of up to 160o – meaning users do not need to know precisely where the code is located to scan it.
Dedicated NaviLens codes printed on Müller products can be scanned using the corresponding app, with audio and haptic cues allowing users to locate and centre the code in the smartphone’s camera. Depending on shopper preferences, the app can either read aloud the ingredients, allergens, nutrition and recycling information for the product, or the user can read the information on their phone using accessibility tools.
This work has been informed by Sight Loss Councils (SLCs). These are regional groups of blind and partially sighted volunteers funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust. Volunteers have used their lived experience of sight loss to inform the accessibility of the packaging.
The partnership with NaviLens forms a key part of Müller’s Sustainability Action Plan commitment to deliver positive and inclusive social impact within communities, building brand trust and equity. The technology will be rolled out across all Müller Yogurt & Desserts products and drinks over the coming months, starting with the newly relaunched Müller Light range.
This summer will also see the dairy company launch a supporting social and PR campaign in partnership with Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Loss Councils, aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by BPS people when shopping for food products.
Richard Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Müller Yogurt & Desserts, said: “Making a positive social impact and helping to create stronger and more inclusive communities is a key part of Müller’s wider Sustainability Action Plan. We want to play our part in helping people lead healthier and happier lives, and being the first in the industry to partner with NaviLens is key in achieving that goal.
“The innovative and lifechanging technology offered by NaviLens helps those with visual impairments overcome issues which others may never consider. By working with NaviLens, and raising awareness through our upcoming campaign, we hope to help encourage inclusivity, make the category more accessible for all shoppers, and ensure we achieve our purpose of putting a smile on the nation’s face.
“By playing our part in building a better future, this move will also help us continue to drive category growth for our customers, and reignite the core of our Müller Yogurt & Desserts range.”
Louise Connop, SLC Senior Engagement Manager at Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: “We are proud of our partnership with Müller and our SLC volunteers to inform and increase the accessibility of packaging, to make their products more accessible for BPS people.
“As a person living with sight loss, accessible packaging means the difference between understanding what a product is and any potential allergens versus being unable to shop independently and pick products in the store on my own. Instead I can simply now scan the packaging with my smartphone which will recognise and tell me about the product and its ingredients easily using the app.”
Chief Executive Officer of NaviLens, Javier Pita, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Müller to integrate our technology into their product packaging. This collaboration demonstrates our mutual commitment to enhancing accessibility and providing an inclusive, and informative shopping experience for all consumers.
“By placing NaviLens accessible codes on Müller products, we are empowering blind and partially sighted individuals to access crucial product information independently, while also enriching the overall shopping experience for everyone.
“It has been a joy to work with the Müller team on this project, their enthusiasm and attention to detail is second to none, and ultimately this partnership marks a significant step forward in setting new standards for accessibility and consumer engagement in the retail industry.”
Royal A-ware to acquire The Dairy Food Group
Royal A-ware Food Group is planning to acquire The Dairy Food Group. This includes the BMC (Belgian Milk Company) daily milk collection round as well as the companies Eurodesserts, Limelco, Incopack and Incorock.
The proposed acquisition is in line with the Dutch family business’s strategy of continuing to expand its dairy operations in Belgium while further strengthening its position in what is now a second domestic market.
“Once the acquisition process is complete, we can optimise our milk processing operation in Belgium even further and so work on making supply chains even more efficient. We will also be able to offer our customer base an even wider product portfolio,” said Jan Anker, CEO of Royal A-ware Food Group.
The Dairy Food Group sees the proposed acquisition as providing opportunities to achieve its growth ambitions sooner and create new jobs.
“We are delighted to be joining the Royal A-ware Food Group. This step means, for instance, that we can accelerate the sustainability credentials of our operations. As a family business, Royal A-ware strives for the same values as we do and is therefore a perfect match,” explains Nathalie Nijs, CEO of The Dairy Food Group.
Anheuser-Busch to invest $7m in facility upgrades at Fairfield, California brewery
Anheuser-Busch is to invest $7 million in its Fairfield brewery for capital infrastructure projects that support ongoing improvements at the facility, including updates to the brewery’s roofing, equipment overhauls, new lighting, and other structural repairs.
“These investments in our Fairfield brewery strengthen capabilities across our entire business to ensure our northern California facility continues to brew the great-tasting, high-quality products that have satisfied drinkers for generations,” said Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch.
The Fairfield brewery brews over 20 of Anheuser-Busch’s brands and has a 99 percent recycling rate. This $7 million investment will go toward facility structural repairs and updates to ensure the brewery continues to brew, package, and distribute Anheuser-Busch beer in the highest quality and most efficient way possible.
“Our team of incredible brewers is proud of the legacy of quality and excellence that has long defined Anheuser-Busch,” said Nathan Murphy, General Manager, Anheuser-Busch Fairfield Brewery. “The ongoing investment in our facility and upgrades to our infrastructure will continue to support the capabilities at our brewery and position our team to continue to produce the highest-quality beer nationwide.”
Over the past 5 years, Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $2 billion in its facilities across the country. Across the United States, Anheuser-Busch operates more than 120 facilities, including flagship and regional craft breweries and agricultural facilities across 24 states.
2024 Sustainable Food Awards winners revealed
The winners of the 2024 Sustainable Food Awards (https://www.sfawards.com/previous-awards/) were announced at a dedicated awards reception in Amsterdam last week. UK companies received four of the eight international awards, including two by a pioneer with African superfood ingredients.
The judging panel has selected the following winners…
New Sustainable Product: Aduna Superfoods (UK) is gold winner with its Superfood Blends. Launched in October 2023, the product range is the world’s first FairWild-certified superfood range. They contain organic baobab, moringa, turmeric, hibiscus and wheatgrass.
Hermann.Bio Fungi Pad (Austria) is silver winner. The innovation involves growing king oyster mushrooms on fungi pads directly at end-user locations.
Sustainable Ingredient: Pact Coffee (UK) is gold winner with Cenicafé 1, a variety of Arabica coffee that is resistant to disease and pests. Coffee farmers therefore do not have to deforest or move to higher altitudes to grow coffee.
Nature Bio Foods (India) gets silver for its Kotwa Biodynamic Rice; the Demeter and Faitrade certified rice is produced by smallholders and encourages biodiversity.
Sustainable Packaging: PA Consulting (UK) and PulPac get gold for the world’s first Dry Molded Fiber Bottle. Launched in 2023, the innovation involves utilising Dry Molded Fiber technology to develop bottles that minimise the use of plastics in food, drink, and related industries.
Driscoll’s (USA) EMEA gets silver for its Carton Punnets, which use 94% less plastic to package berries.
Sustainability Pioneer: Pachamama Coffee Farmers (USA) is gold winner. It receives recognition for its unique business model that produces sustainable coffee whilst having a positive impact. It is the only coffee roaster in North American that is 100% owned and governed by thousands of smallholder farmers in Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico and Ethiopia.
Aduna Superfoods (UK) is the silver winner. The Certified B Corp has set up ethical supply chains for under-utilised natural ingredients from Africa.
The 2024 Sustainable Food Awards reception was hosted at the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre on 4th July. The event was co-hosted alongside the European edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit, 4-5th July.