Bright Food - food industry company news 
NZ: Synlait Milk considers IPO
14 May 2013
New Zealand dairy ingredients and infant formula firm Synlait Milk, in which China's Bright Food owns 51%, is considering listing on the stock market.
IRELAND/CHINA: Glanbia, Bright Food mull tie-up but no deal yet
9 May 2013
Irish food group Glanbia today (9 May) confirmed it is working with Bright Food to look into potential ventures in the Chinese firm's home market but brushed off reports of a deal.
Comment: Sovereign, pension funds to vie for M&A with trade, PE
19 April 2013
Could sovereign wealth funds and pension funds become more active participants in deal-making in the FMCG industry? Perhaps so, writes Dean Best.
Deal or no deal: The likely suspects to acquire Burton's Biscuit Co.
8 April 2013
The private-equity owners of Burton's Biscuit Co. are "considering options" for the UK's second-largest biscuit maker, a process that could lead to an eventual sale. Katy Askew takes a look at the players for whom an acquisition of Burton's could hit the sweet spot.
NZ: Yashili New Zealand plant investment approved
2 April 2013
Yashili International Holdings has received the go-ahead to invest CNY1.1bn (US$176.7m) to establish a dairy processing facility in New Zealand.
just-food's outlook for 2013: Mega deals unlikely as consolidation continues
31 January 2013
There may be caution over the prospect for blockbuster deals in a dilapidated economic environment, but the food sector mergers and acquisitions table still has plenty to whet the appetite.
CHINA/NZ: Yashili International to build CNY1bn NZ dairy
11 January 2013
Yashili International is to spend CNY1.1bn (US$176.7m) to build a 52,000-tonne capacity dairy in New Zealand, via its recently established subsidiary in the country.
UPDATE: UK: Overseas investment to drive food M&A
8 January 2013
Analysts at Experian believe that overseas investment will maintain the momentum of mergers and acquisitions in the UK food sector.
UK: Bright Food, Weetabix deal dominates M&A scene for 2012
7 January 2013
Food and drink deals, particularly the acquisition of Weetabix by China's Bright Food Group, dominated large-scale merger and acquisition activity in the UK in 2012, a new report by Experian shows.
NZ/CHINA: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group to buy Oceania Dairy Group - report
2 January 2013
China's Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group has announced a deal to buy New Zealand's Oceania Dairy Group and plans to build an infant formula plant in the country, according to reports.
just-food review of 2012: M&A revival but caution hinders big deals
19 December 2012
There were, despite continued economic uncertainty in many Western markets and concerns over slowing growth in the East, signs that M&A activity rebounded in the food sector this year. However, a look at just-food's M&A coverage this year shows there have been few big-ticket, transformational deals.
The top ten analysis articles on just-food in 2012
18 December 2012
Looking behind the headlines is just-food's signature dish and this year we looked at the major stories in-depth, including the possible suitors for United Biscuits' salty snacks business; the work ahead for China's Bright Food after it bought Weetabix and the prospects for the two companies created by Kraft Foods' split in two.
UK/CHINA: Weetabix owner Bright coy amid IPO talk
6 November 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group that owns a controlling stake in UK cereal maker Weetabix, has insisted its primary focus is on expanding the brand in the country amid reports it could list the business.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, this week at last planted its first flag in Europe with an investment in UK cereal firm Weetabix. Elsewhere in Europe, the CEO of Norway-based consumer goods company Orkla quit amid a disagreement with the company's board and German retailer Metro Group reported a quarterly loss. We also published our latest Sustainability Watch interview, which focused on US food giant General Mills. Click on the headlines for more.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, was full of confidence this week about the prospects for UK cereal firm Weetabix, its first investment in Europe after missing out on companies including United Biscuits and Yoplait. Elsewhere, Orkla explained why its CEO had resigned from the Norwegian consumer goods group, German retailer Metro Group insisted its sales were improving after it reported a quarterly loss and UK peer Morrisons said it would not chase unprofitable volumes despite a fall in like-for-like sales.
In the spotlight: Hard work ahead for new Weetabix owner Bright Food
3 May 2012
Ambitious Bright Food, the Chinese state-backed food group, missed out on previous Western targets like United Biscuits and Yoplait but it has planted a flag in Europe with the acquisition of a majority stake in UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix. The deal could give Bright Food some Western expertise to apply to its domestic business but, as Dean Best reports, its faces a challenge in building the brand in China, where it remains early days for breakfast cereal.
CHINA/UK: Bright Food buys majority stake in Weetabix
3 May 2012
China's Bright Food has acquired a majority stake in UK cereal maker Weetabix.
just-food Confidence Survey - cost volatility and industry consolidation
30 April 2012
2011 was a year of commodity cost inflation and the food industry had hoped raw materials prices would fall back this year. However, in some cases, prices remain stubbornly high. The just-food Confidence Survey showed manufacturers remain determined to push through costs but competition between retailers remains intense, which could lead to a wave of consolidation in the sector.
UK: Lion Capital silent on Weetabix "sale talks" with Bright Food
23 April 2012
Private-equity firm Lion Capital has declined to comment on reports it is in talks to sell UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix to China's Bright Food.
Deal or no deal: Who is in the running for United Biscuits' salty snacks?
28 March 2012
The private-equity owners of United Biscuits are considering offloading the salty snacks side of the business may come as little surprise, with the UK group set to be split in two. With the auction process expected to begin in several months time, Katy Askew takes a look at the likely suitors for the Hula Hoops maker.
2012 - Supermarket battles to drive supplier M&A
6 February 2012
Some of the world's largest retailers struggled in 2011, which promises to mean even more intense competition in 2012. What could this mean for suppliers? Ultimately, it could mean the industry witnesses more consolidation this year.
AUS: Bright Food linked to NZ biscuit firm Griffin's
15 December 2011
Chinese food and drink group Bright Food has reportedly held talks with the private-equity owner of Griffin's over a possible deal for the New Zealand biscuit maker.
NEW ZEALAND: Synlait opens infant formula plant
22 November 2011
New Zealand dairy firm Synlait has opened an infant milk formula plant in Dunsandel, south of Christchurch.
In the spotlight: Bright Foods reveals global ambitions with Manassen deal
19 August 2011
Bright Foods announced the acquisition of Australian manufacturer Manassen Foods this week. With speculation that it has shown interest in a number of other international players hints at the scale of its plans. What exactly are Bright Foods' ambitions? Dean Best reports.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
19 August 2011
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, has bought 75% of Australia's Manassen Foods in a major deal, a "step change" according to Roy Manassen, whose father set up the business. Elsewhere, Walkers Crisps stood by Gary Lineker in the face of reports the former striker's role in the company's advertising was set to diminish, stating: "There is no change whatsoever to Gary Lineker's role or relationship with Walkers Crisps." Here's the best of what was said on just-food this week.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
19 August 2011
M&A talk has continued unabated, with ConAgra revealing its disappointment around its latest offer for Ralcorp being rebuffed. The owner of former Bright Food target United Biscuits has cooled reports that it is looking to split the manufacturer in two. Happier news for Bright Food this week, however, with the company reaching an agreement to buy Manassen Foods.
CHINA/AUS: Bright Food takes control of Manassen Foods
18 August 2011
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, has sealed a deal to buy 75% of Australian food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods.
UK: Blackstone cools United Biscuits split talk
15 August 2011
Private-equity group Blackstone has cooled reports that it and United Biscuits co-owner PAI Partners are looking to split the UK biscuits and snack maker in two.
CHINA: Bright Food "nears Manassen Foods takeover"
15 August 2011
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, is reportedly set to take control of Australian branded food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods.
AUS: Bright Food "in talks" to buy Manassen Foods
12 July 2011
Chinese food group Bright Food is reportedly in talks to buy Australian branded food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods.
