Ferrero - food industry company news 
Consuming issues - Cocoa's certification challenge
3 April 2013
Hershey's commitment to source 100% of its cocoa requirements from third-party-certified sources by 2020 has been broadly welcomed. However, what form that certification will take is unclear and is likely to remain so until the cocoa sector at large agrees sustainability standards and evolves the means to certify a huge amount of cocoa.
The just-food interview - Jonathan Hart, Thorntons
17 January 2013
UK confectioner Thorntons is undergoing something of a transformation. The chocolate and toffee producer, which has been hit hard by the consumer downturn, is midway through a strategic shift to close the bulk of its store network and focus on commercial sales. Since taking the helm in May 2011, Jonathan Hart has had a mountain to climb: rebalancing the portfolio while tackling weak consumer demand. Nonetheless, the chief executive tells Michelle Russell that the firm is now on the right road for its strategy re-think to deliver improved results.
FRANCE: National assembly commission rejects palm oil tax increase
23 November 2012
The French national assembly's social affairs commission has rejected a proposal to increase a special tax on palm oil from EUR100 (US$129) to EUR300 per tonne.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
19 November 2012
The apparent end of US baker Hostess Brands grabbed the headlines last week after a nationwide strike prompted management to move to wind up the business. On a positive note, UK food manufacturers visited China to try to tap into the country's second-largest economy. Click on the headlines for more on our coverage of the major stories this week.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
19 November 2012
Hostess Brands, one of the largest bakery groups in the US, last week moved to wound down the company, blaming striking workers. Elsewhere, Diamond Foods' CEO, once the boss of Hostess, insisted the Kettle Chips firm was heading in the right direction after a year of turmoil. In Europe, food giants insisted their move to harmonise nutrition labels would benefit consumers, while in the UK, exporters were urged to target China.
FRANCE: Ferrero defends palm oil use in newspaper ads
16 November 2012
Ferrero has today published a two-page ad in France's national press defending its use of palm oil in the recipe of its chocolate spread Nutella.
EU: Food majors sign GDA labels pledge
14 November 2012
Food manufacturers including Nestle, Mondelez International and Unilever have announced plans to "harmonise" the way they label the nutritional information for products sold in the EU.
BRICs and beyond: Hershey hopes for sweeter future in India
28 September 2012
Hershey's passage into India has proved anything but smooth but clearly the US confectionery giant is a believer in perseverance.
RUSSIA: Ferrero to start local Kinder Surprise production
6 September 2012
Ferrero has decided to produce its Kinder Surprise brand in Russia to meet increasing local demand for the product.
S AFRICA: Ferrero plans local Tic Tac production
27 July 2012
Confectionery giant Ferrero is considering producing Tic Tac mints in South Africa as it ups investment in the country.
BRICs and beyond: Kraft eyes taste of success in India with Toblerone launch
11 July 2012
US food giant Kraft Foods confirmed its much-speculated launch of Toblerone into India last week. Michelle Russell takes a look at why Kraft has introduced Toblerone into India, which brands it will compete against and the projected growth for the sector.
In the spotlight: Hershey's international ambition
29 June 2012
Hershey this week outlined what some saw as its clearest vision for international markets. The US confectioner still generates the bulk of its sales and profits overseas but wants to expand abroad. Can it succeed? Dean Best reports.
INDIA: Kraft coy over Toblerone launch talk
13 June 2012
Kraft Foods has remained tight lipped over reports it is looking to launch its Swiss chocolate brand Toblerone in India.
Best bits: Looking outwards to the emerging markets
10 April 2012
Investing in emerging markets carries risk but FMCG companies need to act faster to gain a presence in what will be the economic powerhouses of tomorrow. And for all the uncertainty over Western markets - or perhaps because of it - food manufacturers continue to eye countries from China to Chile with interest.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
10 April 2012
A potential merger combining Symington's and Premier Foods plc's brands was a hot topic for analyst speculation this week. Elsewhere, Australian wholesaler Metcash CEO Andrew Reitzer remained optimistic despite announcing 470 job cuts.
BRICs and beyond: Ferrero investment shines light on Mexican confectionery market
5 April 2012
Confectionery giant Ferrero last month announced plans to invest US$190m in the construction of a production facility in Mexico.
UK: Mars adds "lighter" Galaxy Flutes to line-up
14 March 2012
Mars Inc is to launch Galaxy Flutes in the UK, a product it hopes will meet demand for lighter on-the-go snacks.
FRANCE: Increased volumes lead to more jobs at Ferrero plant
13 March 2012
Italian chocolate maker Ferrero has created 40 jobs at its French plant in Villers-Ecalles in Normandy.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
5 March 2012
It had been speculated in recent months but, this week, PepsiCo and German dairy giant Muller confirmed plans to start a manufacturing yoghurt in the US, where sales of the product are growing fast. Ferrero's decision to build a plant in Mexico and General Mills' acquisition of US snacks firm Food Should Taste Good also grabbed your attention, as did financial results from chocolate firm Lindt & Sprungli and Dutch retailer Ahold. And, to mark Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK, we interviewed Paul Chandler, chief executive of a pioneer in the sector, Traidcraft.
MEXICO: Ferrero to construct Mexico facility
27 February 2012
Confectionery giant Ferrero is to invest US$190m in the construction of a production facility in Mexico.
UK: Ferrero campaign offers free Kinder Bueno
30 January 2012
Ferrero has launched a promotional campaign for Kinder Bueno in the UK that gives consumers the chocolate for free.
UK: Northern Foods stands by industry pledge on battery eggs
17 January 2012
Northern Foods has said that it is fully compliant with a voluntary agreement set up by the UK government urging manufacturers and retailers to abstain from using battery eggs.
UK: Ferrero names Oldano new UK, Ireland MD
13 January 2012
Confectionery giant Ferrero has named company veteran Pieraldo Oldano as the new managing director of its operations in the UK and Ireland.
The most-read interviews on just-food in 2011
23 December 2011
2011 was again a year in which just-food discussed the key industry issues with the leading lights in the sector. From the creation of meat-free firm Quorn Foods to Ferrero's ambitions in the UK and from Kraft Foods' plans in the key emerging market of South Africa to sustainability strategies with Ahold and Kellogg, we interviewed some of the top players in the industry this year. Click on the links for more and check out all our featured interviews for 2011 here.
EU: UK food makers, retailers pledge not to use caged eggs
7 December 2011
UK food manufacturers have pledged not to use caged eggs from Europe, amid concerns that egg producers on the continent will fail to comply with a ban that starts next month.
Logistics - the food sector's sustainability initiatives
30 November 2011
High petrol prices and the increasing importance of sustainability has prompted the food industry to try out new - and often innovative - methods of transporting their wares to customers, as well as search for ways to enhance their existing logistical operations. Stuart Todd takes a look at the schemes food manufacturers and retailers have adopted to reduce both their carbon footprint and transport costs.
GERMANY: Ferrero to appeal against Nutella lawsuit
24 November 2011
Italian confectionery giant Ferrero said it plans to appeal to Germany's Federal Courts of Justice following a court order over the labelling of its Nutella brand.
FRANCE: Ferrero sponsors Rouen sports arena
22 November 2011
Ferrero has signed a ten-year deal for the naming rights of a new sporting arena in the French town of Rouen.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
31 October 2011
This week, key M&A announcements dominated the headlines with US food maker Hain Celestial acquiring UK chilled foods firm Daniels Group, in a bid to expand the international presence of both companies. Ireland-based Greencore was in sales talks with unnamed sources. Meanwhile, rival confectioneries Ferrero and Hershey look to expand overseas.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
31 October 2011
We had this week that M&A activity in the food industry - at least in the UK - had slowed in the third quarter of the year but the final three months has seen deal-making return to the headlines with Hain Celestial's takeover of Daniels Group and rumours around the future of Greencore. Click on the headlines for more.
