Groupe Danone - food industry company news 
BRICs and beyond: Mengniu plays catch-up in infant formula with Yashili buy
18 June 2013
Chinese dairy giant China Mengniu Dairy Co. just got bigger. It has entered into an agreement that will see it take control of local infant formula maker Yashili. Mengniu is looking to reverse its fortunes in a category in which it has struggled. However, with concerns over food safety remaining high, there is a long road ahead as the company - and the country as a whole - look to build a safe and reliable dairy supply. Katy Askew reports.
CHINA: Mengniu looks to take full control of Yashili
18 June 2013
China Mengniu Dairy Co. has tabled a takeover bid worth around HK$11.35bn (US$1.46bn) to take full control of local infant formula maker Yashili International.
CHINA: Mengniu "nears announcement on Yashili stake buy"
17 June 2013
China Mengniu Dairy Co. is expected to announce it has struck a deal to acquire a controlling stake in local infant formula firm Yashili International Holdings.
In the spotlight: PepsiCo, Muller must beware promo intensity in US yoghurt
6 June 2013
PepsiCo and Muller this week opened their US yoghurt plant with much fanfare. Demand for yoghurt has increased in recent years, per capita consumption is relatively low and the companies believe they can benefit. However, the new facility has added to the already increasing capacity in the sector, which is now seeing only sales of Greek yoghurt grow and an intensification in promotional activity.
US: Danone extends Oikos range with dips line
5 June 2013
Dannon, the US arm of French dairy giant Danone, has extended is Oikos Greek yoghurt line with the launch of a line of dips.
just-food's research round-up: Global breakfast cereal market, UK grocery retailers
5 June 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes grocery retailers in the UK, global confectionery data, and the global breakfast cereals market.
US: PepsiCo, Muller open yoghurt factory
4 June 2013
PepsiCo and Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, the German dairy group, have formally opened their yoghurt plant in New York state.
Best bits: Smithfield, McCormick keep China in the spotlight
3 June 2013
Investment is flowing into and from the world's emerging markets, as two transactions involving US firms Smithfield Foods and McCormick & Co. highlighted last week.
Citi Consumer Conference: General Mills looks to boost flagging US yoghurt
31 May 2013
General Mills, which has struggled to grow its US yoghurt brands, said yesterday (30 May) it would look to marketing and innovation to revitalise sales in the increasingly promotional category.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
28 May 2013
Campbell Soup Co. became the third major multinational to invest in the buoyant organic baby food sector in a month with a deal to buy US firm Plum Organics. Danone is another of the three food giants to do business in organic baby food - and this week it continued its investment in faster-growing categories and markets with a fresh attempt to crack China's booming yoghurt sector.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
28 May 2013
Plum Organics this week joined Happy Family and Ella's Kitchen as three organic baby food brands set to have new, multinational owners. Campbell Soup Co. is to buy Plum, joining Danone and Hain Celestial as three food majors that have looked to invest in the growing category in just a month.
US: Campbell to buy US baby food group Plum Organics
24 May 2013
Campbell Soup Co. has struck a surprise deal to buy US baby food business Plum Organics.
BRICs and beyond: Hard-headed Danone makes fresh China yoghurt foray
22 May 2013
Danone is to make another attempt to tap into the booming demand for fresh dairy products in China. The French food group is teaming up with Chinese dairy giant Mengniu, the largest yoghurt producer in the country. However, the two companies' previous attempt as a venture ended after just a year. Can Danone succeed this time? Dean Best reports.
CHINA: Arla positive about Mengniu's Danone JV
22 May 2013
Arla Foods has insisted there is "no conflict" between its venture with Mengniu and the Chinese dairy's planned new partnership with Danone.
CHINA: Danone, China's Mengniu try again with dairy JV
20 May 2013
Danone and Chinese dairy Mengniu have announced plans to set up a dairy venture in China - five years after a similar agreement ended in just 12 months.
Best bits: Danone steps up investment in future growth
20 May 2013
In recent months, Danone has come under scrutiny for the performance of its fresh dairy operations in Europe. However, in spite of - or perhaps because of - the work needed to turn that business around, the French food giant appears to be stepping up expansion in faster-growing markets and categories.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
20 May 2013
After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2013
The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.
In the spotlight: Danone to build on baby nutrition success with organic buy
14 May 2013
Danone's deal to acquire over 90% of US organic baby food firm Happy Family is a first for the French food giant in the category and appears to strengthen its fast-growing infant-nutrition division. Michelle Russell takes a look at the deal.
US: Danone buys majority stake in baby food firm Happy Family
13 May 2013
Danone has acquired over 90% of US organic baby food firm Happy Family.
Deal or no deal: General Mills touted as WhiteWave suitor
3 May 2013
Dean Foods has formally given the green light for the spin-off of soy and organic business WhiteWave Foods - and analysts are setting out companies they believe could be interested in the Horizon Organic and Alpro owner.
CHINA: NZ firm A2 launches infant formula
1 May 2013
New Zealand dairy group A2 Corporation has is expanding in China with the launch of a2 Platinum infant formula in the market.
JAPAN: Danone, Yakult Honsha end strategic alliance
26 April 2013
Danone and Japanese probiotic drinks group Yakult Honsha have ended a long-standing alliance and replaced it with a looser "cooperation framework".
Best bits: Emerging market operations under more scrutiny
23 April 2013
A decade ago, the conversation around emerging markets was purely about growth. Now, with the developing world accounting for a growing chunk of some businesses, and with some of the faster-growing economies cooling, there is more attention on company performance in the BRICs and beyond. As Nestle found out last week.
BRICs and beyond: China looks to tighten food safety regulation
22 April 2013
The elevation of China's State Food & Drug Administration (SFDA) to a ministry level entity will consolidate the oversight of food safety issues under one umbrella. The Chinese authorities are hoping that the move will convince consumers that the government is serious about tackling the country's food safety problems. Nevertheless, a number of challenges remain. David Green reports from Beijing.
The week ahead: ABF H1s; Unilever, Hershey, Premier Q1s
22 April 2013
A raft of companies report to the market next week, including UK-based food group Associated British Foods, which is set to unveil its half-year results. Data for the first quarter of 2013 will continue to come in, with Unilever, Hershey and Premier Foods plc among those set to publish numbers.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
22 April 2013
The industry's first-quarter results continued to pour in last week and two of France's leading retailers, Carrefour and Casino revealed sales figures that got analysts talking. Carrefour appeared pleased with its domestic performance, while Casino was encouraged by the results of recent pricing initiatives. Elsewhere, Tesco finally confirmed its plans to exit the US and revealed it had received and was pursuing interest in the business.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
22 April 2013
Major food manufacturers began to report their first-quarter results last week. Nestle came under scrutiny for its performance in emerging markets. A cautious Danone saw signs of improvement from its European dairy operations, while its infant formula business was buoyant. Elsewhere, we shone the spotlight on the recent rationing of formula in Western markets amid high demand in China, looked at Marks and Spencer's latest European venture and analysed Magnit's move to Russian retail's top spot.
INDIA: Tirumala Milk to build three milk processing plants
19 April 2013
India dairy major Tirumala Milk Products is to invest INR3bn (US$55.7m) in the construction of three milk processing and packaging plants in the country.
What the analysts say - concern over Nestle's emerging markets
18 April 2013
Nestle's sales slowed in the first quarter of the year amid weaker sales growth from its Asia, Oceania and Africa division. The performance of the world's largest food manufacturer in emerging markets has become a cause for concern among analysts.
