The latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA brings encouraging news for the UK foodservice industry, with inflation rates returning towards more normal levels. The report for April 2024 indicates a significant year-on-year fall in inflation of 2.5%, continuing a steady trend towards stability in pricing that will be welcome news for both businesses and consumers. While the overall decline is welcome, the data reveals a nuanced picture across different food categories. Only two categories recorded month-on-month deflation, while six other ..read more

The UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery exhibition, PPMA Show, will return to the NEC in Birmingham between 24-26 September 2024. This pre-eminent show is renowned for bringing together a broad range of innovative technologies and solutions, delivering an abundance of inspiring content rich seminars as well as providing plenty of networking opportunities. All of which provides a superb platform for visitors to be inspired and expand their knowledge and understanding of the latest developments in the processing and packaging industry. Many businesses are already reaping the benefit ..read more

PepsiCo, one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies, has today announced an £8 million investment in its Pipers Crisps manufacturing site in Brigg, Lincolnshire, to meet growing demand for the popular snacks. It coincides with the 20th anniversary of Pipers Crisps and marks five years since PepsiCo’s acquisition of the brand. The funding will boost production capacity at the site by nearly 80%, through replacing existing crisp fryers with new energy efficient models and installing new packaging machines at the Lincolnshire factory, which has been the home of Pipers Crisps sin ..read more

Diageo has announced plans to invest over €100 million to decarbonise its historic St. James’s Gate site in Dublin 8, where Guinness has been brewed for 264 years. The investment underpins the goal to accelerate to net zero carbon emissions for the site and will transform energy and water consumption with the aim to make it one of the most efficient breweries in the world by 2030. The investment will enable St. James’s Gate to entirely phase out the use of fossil fuels in its direct brewing operations and reduce Scope 1+2 GHG emissions generated by the site by more than 90%, in line with the ..read more

The award-winning Carlingford Oyster Company has improved efficiencies and the quality of its harvest following an investment of more than half a million euros in new machinery and production facilities. The County Louth business, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is producing 250 tonnes – the equivalent of 2.5 million oysters – a year, and has its eyes set on increasing exports to Europe. The business invested €535,000 in upgrading its facilities with the support of a €142,000 grant under the Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara ..read more

Having received over 100 applications in 2023 from food and drinks businesses all looking for support, mentorship and an opportunity to secure prime retail shelf space, Maxol has launched year two of its Homegrown at Maxol programme.  According to Maxol Group CEO, Brian Donaldson, the inaugural programme highlighted the genuine need within the food and drinks sector for a support programme of this nature. “The response from Ireland’s SMEs and the number of entries received last year were instrumental in our decision to relaunch Homegrown at Maxol for 2024,” said Brian Donaldson. What’s i ..read more

Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) fell below 10% in March for the first time in two years. This welcome milestone for the sector follows the largest month-on-month decline ever recorded by the Index of 1.4%. The softening of inflation has also been seen in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food, which indicated only a marginal increase of 0.1% in March. However, the rate in the Foodservice Price Index remains more than double the level of retail, which stands at 4.0% year-on-year. While only one FPI category decreased in price year-on-year in M ..read more

By Kati Hope, Global Account Manager, Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection This article looks at how food manufacturers can enhance the optimisation of raw material resources and reap the rewards of heightened productivity through the strategic implementation of product inspection technology. In today’s food manufacturing hustle, being smart about resources is like scoring a win-win jackpot. Think about it – being considerate to the planet, others and, of course, our precious resources are crucial to longevity and success. In particular for food manufacturers, this eco-conscious approach is not ..read more

Campari Group has announced the successful completion of the acquisition of 100% of Beam Holdings France S.A.S. (now renamed Courvoisier Holding France S.A.S.), which in turn owns 100% of Courvoisier S.A.S., the owner of the Courvoisier brand, in accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement disclosed on December 14th, 2023. The purchase price paid amounted to US$1.17 billion (corresponding to €1.08 billion at the hedged currency rate). At closing, the book value of maturing inventory estimated at April 30th, 2024 and included in the price paid was ..read more

Arla Foods Ingredients has reached an agreement to acquire Volac’s Whey Nutrition business. The UK-based Volac group specialises in turning whey into ingredients for sports nutrition, with by- products being sold for food and animal nutrition. At its heart is its whey processing facility in Felinfach in Wales. Completion of the transaction is expected later this year subject to required regulatory approvals. The acquisition would play a significant role in Arla Foods Ingredients’ future plans. It envisions the Felinfach site as a global production hub and a cornerstone of an enhanced product ..read more