Heinz - food industry company news 
S AFRICA: Input costs hit Pioneer H1 profits
22 May 2013
South Africa's Pioneer Food Group has booked lower underlying half-year profits, affected by higher input costs and weak consumer confidence.
Comment: US firm Boulder eyes slice of UK gluten-free pie
3 May 2013
US health and wellness firm Boulder Brands has acquired a small UK-based gluten-free company, Davies Bakery. The US gluten-free specialist has ambitions to expand the UK business well beyond Davies' current scale. However, Katy Askew suggests, Boulder is likely to come up against stiff competition in the increasingly crowded space of the UK gluten-free sector.
US: ConAgra appoints McGough head of consumer foods
3 May 2013
ConAgra Foods has appointed Tom McGough to head up its consumer foods business following the resignation of current consumer foods president André Hawaux.
Gluten free: The UK market
30 April 2013
The UK continues to witness a rapid increase in demand for gluten-free foods. The sector represents the largest within the UK market for free-from foods, targeted at people with food allergies or intolerances, and it is a category seeing dramatic growth.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
15 April 2013
UK-based R&R Ice Cream last week snapped up local rival Fredericks Dairies, a deal its CEO told us will help it compete better with Unilever. We spoke to M&A analysts about the potential sale of Burton's Biscuit Co. and to the chairman of Canada's Dare Foods about his expansion plans. In Europe, the sector was rocked by fresh horsemeat revelations, including news an Asda product contained the veterinary drug phenylbutazone.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
15 April 2013
3G Capital, the private-equity firm soon to own Heinz, last week turned to another investment - Burger King - for the US food giant's new CEO. In the UK, R&R Ice Cream, Europe's largest own-label ice cream supplier bought a local rival it said would boost its branded stable. Europe was shook by more horsemeat revelations. Meanwhile, we interviewed Sainsbury's on multichannel, Canada's Dare Foods and took a look at the possible suitors for Burton's Biscuit Co.
On the move: Heinz's new owners bring in their own
12 April 2013
The owners-elect of Heinz have effectively brought in their own man to run the US food giant. Dean Best looks at what the appointment of Burger King boss Bernardo Hees could mean for the ketchup maker.
US: Burger King boss Hees to lead Heinz
11 April 2013
Burger King CEO Bernardo Hees is set to become the chief executive of Heinz when 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway's planned takeover of the US food giant is complete.
just-food confidence survey: M&A appetite grows but will deals be done?
2 April 2013
just-food's industry confidence survey for 2013 indicated an increased appetite for M&A this year after what some saw, globally, as a lacklustre year in the sector for deals. What lies ahead in the mergers and acquisitions arena over the next few months?
UK: Heinz eyes convenience market with pastry launch
28 March 2013
Heinz is looking to capitalise on the growing market for convenience and on-the-go food in the UK with the launch of a chilled savoury pastry line.
US: PepsiCo sees "no need" for major M&A
25 March 2013
PepsiCo has insisted it sees "no need" for major deals after speculation activist investor Nelson Peltz had snapped up shares in the company - and in snacks group Mondelez International.
FRANCE: Heinz launches "premium" ketchup
25 March 2013
Heinz has developed a range of ketchup products for the French market it hopes consumers will use with more elaborate dishes.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
25 March 2013
Last week saw the just-food team hitting the streets to bring you coverage from two key events in the industry calender: the IFE trade show in London and the Consumer Analyst Group of Europe (CAGE) conference.
Comment: The logic behind a PepsiCo/Mondelez tie-up
22 March 2013
Could activist investor Nelson Peltz be at it again? Hot off the heels of one mega-deal in the food industry, the move to take Heinz into private hands, rumours are abound that Peltz is building up a stake in Mondelez International and PepsiCo with a view to merging the companies into a snack food Goliath.
US/BRAZIL: 3G Capital "buys stake in ice cream firm Diletto"
21 March 2013
Jorge Paulo Lemann, owner of 3G Capital, has reportedly acquired a 20% stake in Brazilian ice-cream maker Diletto.
Comment: Trust still vital in tech rush
13 March 2013
Technology offers consumer-facing businesses huge opportunity. FMCG companies need to embrace channels like online and mobile. Asda CEO Andy Clarke is a firm believer in their potential. However, Clarke argues winning - and retaining - consumer trust is more important. He is right and perhaps, Dean Best writes, it is even more so in this new multichannel age.
US: Heinz defends "golden parachute" proposal
5 March 2013
Heinz has defended a proposed "golden parachute" payout to current CEO Bill Johnson if he were to leave the company after its planned $28bn acquisition by a group of investors let by Warren Buffett.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
4 March 2013
The fall-out from the horsemeat contamination continued last week, with Tesco outlining plans to shake up its supply chain and source meat from the UK. Elsewhere, UK free-from firm Genius Foods bought out venture partner Finsbury Food Group and, in the US, more buyers were found for Hostess Brands' assets. Click on the headlines for more.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
4 March 2013
UK retailer Tesco grabbed the headlines last week as the horsemeat saga rumbled on. CEO Philip Clarke announced a raft of changes to its supply chain, including a promise to source all fresh chicken from within the UK. Elsewhere, just-food spoke with Genius CEO Roz Cuschieri about its plans for the Finsbury free-from brand it is set to acquire, and the CEO of Hostess Brands announced the successful sales of the majority of its bread units to Flowers Foods.
Sustainability Watch - Private equity
28 February 2013
In the wake of the Heinz deal, Ben Cooper examines whether private-equity investors are changing their attitudes towards sustainability as some prominent players in the sector are claiming.
BRICs and beyond: Heinz's Chinese frozen food exit paves way for growth
26 February 2013
The news that Heinz plans to sell its Chinese frozen food business may have raised a few eyebrows. In an environment where food multinationals are seemingly always on the look out for M&A opportunities in dynamic emerging markets, led by China, it is not often that you hear of international firms offloading assets. However, Heinz was coming up against a number of challenges in the category and a more focused, streamlined Heinz in China could be better-placed to drive profitable growth. Katy Askew reports.
UPDATE: CHINA: Heinz focused on driving China growth
25 February 2013
US ketchup maker Heinz has insisted it remains committed to driving growth in China despite the move to sell-off its frozen food business in the market, Long Fong Food.
CHINA: Heinz to sell frozen food arm
25 February 2013
Heinz has entered into an agreement to sell its frozen food business in China, Long Fong Food, to frozen food manufacturer Sanquan Foods Co.
UK: Heinz launches gluten-free pasta range
25 February 2013
Food giant Heinz has launched a range of gluten-free pasta and sauces in the UK as the company looks to tap into the growing category.
US: Heinz Q3 earnings beat forecasts but sales lag
22 February 2013
Heinz has reported underlying third-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street forecasts, although its sales came in under analyst estimates.
US: SEC launches action over trading in Heinz options
18 February 2013
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has launched legal action against unknown traders over claims they broke rules when trading in Heinz options before the US$28bn deal to buy the food giant was announced.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
18 February 2013
The food industry was rocked this week with what is set to be the largest-ever takeover in the food sector: Heinz sold to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway fund and 3G Capital for US$28bn. The horsemeat saga trundled on, with arrests in the UK, as well as the first set of industry-wide tests. Results also poured in from the likes of PepsiCo, Mondelez International and Nestle.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
18 February 2013
Two Hs dominated the headlines this week: horsemeat and Heinz. The horsemeat contamination scandal swept across Europe, with a series of recalls, government investigations and product tests. On Thursday, however, Heinz took the industry's attention with news it had accepted a US$28bn takeover bid - the largest-ever seen in the sector.
US: SEC "monitor options trading before Heinz deal"
15 February 2013
The US Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly looking at a surge in options trading in the hours before Heinz announced it had agreed to a US$28bn takeover bid.
In the spotlight: Heinz's prospects under 3G and Buffett
15 February 2013
Heinz stunned the global food industry with news it had agreed to a US$28bn takeover offer from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway fund and private-equity firm 3G Capital - purported to be the largest-ever deal in the sector. Dean Best looks at what could lie ahead for the US food giant.
