Robert Wiseman Dairies - food industry company news 
GERMANY/UK: Muller seals Wiseman takeover
7 February 2012
German dairy giant Müller has declared its takeover bid for Robert Wiseman Dairies "unconditional" after securing almost 94% of the UK milk supplier's shares.
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.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
23 January 2012
Müller's decision to bid for UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies was the first major M&A move of 2012 and sparked plenty of debate, with industry watchers arguing the German yoghurt maker will face challenges in a fiercely competitive industry. Strikes at Unilever, job cuts at Kraft Foods and US dairy processor Dean Foods and continued gloom over the prospects of retail giant Carrefour also attracted headlines this week.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 January 2012
Executives at Müller and Robert Wiseman Dairies espoused the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's decision to buy the UK milk supplier, a deal that divided analysts. Industry watchers also scrutinised the latest trading updates from Premier Foods plc, the UK's largest food manufacturer and Carrefour, the French retail giant, while Kraft Foods chief Irene Rosenfeld said the US group's 2011 results means it is one of the industry's better performers - on the day job cuts of 1,600 were announced.
UK: Muller secures more Wiseman shares
18 January 2012
Müller has secured more shares in UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies, which earlier this week agreed to a GBP280m (US$430.2m) takeover bid from the German yoghurt maker.
GERMANY/UK: Wiseman board backs sale to Muller
16 January 2012
German yoghurt maker Müller has made a GBP279.5m takeover bid to buy UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies, the companies announced this morning (16 January).
Best bits: Muller faces challenges in UK milk sector
16 January 2012
Muller and Robert Wiseman Dairies are talking up the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's planned takeover of the UK milk supplier but profits in the sector have been under pressure in recent months.
UK: Muller target Wiseman warns on profits
16 January 2012
UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies has warned that its profits could come under pressure if raw milk prices fail to come down or the price it receives for milk does not increase.
UK: Muller in talks to buy Robert Wiseman Dairies
13 January 2012
Yoghurt maker Müller is in talks to buy UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies, it emerged today (13 January).
Editor's choice: highlights on just-food this week
13 January 2012
The performance of the UK food retail sector over Christmas came under scrutiny this week and there were some clear winners and losers. Elsewhere, the M&A rumour mill continued to turn, with German yoghurt giant Müller in talks to buy UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies. In the US, baker Hostess Brands applied for Chapter 11 protection for a second time, Cargill reported its worst quarter in a decade and Archer Daniels Midland announced a swathe of job cuts. On just-food's insight pages, we looked at Bi-Lo's plan to buy fellow UK retailer Winn-Dixie and at the importance of price optimisation.
UK: Wiseman, A2 milk JV names Uprichard chief exec
9 January 2012
Recently-launched UK milk producer A2 Milk (UK) today (9 January) confirmed the appointment of Sean Uprichard as chief executive.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
21 November 2011
Uncertainty surrounds PepsiCo at the moment, with rumours that some directors now want the US food and drink giant to examine whether to split the company in two - a move some analysts and investors demand. CEO Indra Nooyi is reported to be against such a move and is said to be lining up acquisitions to bolster the company. Elsewhere, Unilever again faced claims that it would look to offload more food brands and HJ Heinz said it would close more factories to deal with the "difficult" trading conditions in some markets, Click on the headlines for more.
UPDATE: UK: Wiseman targets lactose intolerant with A2 Corp. JV
14 November 2011
Robert Wiseman Dairies has today (14 November) established a joint venture company with milk firm A2 Corp.
UK: Wiseman H1 profits down
14 November 2011
UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies has today (14 November) reported a fall in its half-year profits amid cost increases.
UK: Wiseman shares down amid cost recovery fears
29 September 2011
Shares in UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies fell today (29 September) amid uncertainty whether it can recover profits.
UK: Tesco increases price of milk for dairy farmers
27 September 2011
Tesco has increased the price it pays farmers for milk on sale in its UK stores.
UK: Tesco threatens legal action over OFT price-fixing fine
10 August 2011
Tesco has said it could take legal action against the decision from the UK's Office of Fair Trading to fine the retailer over GBP10m (US$16.1m) for fixing the price of cheese.
UK: Former M&S exec joins Genius Foods board
4 August 2011
UK gluten-free baker Genius Foods has appointed former Marks and Spencer executive Ernie Finch to its board.
just the answer – Robin Dearden, Arla Foods
29 July 2011
Arla Foods' UK arm published its first environmental report this month, setting out the company's achievements in reducing its impact on the environmen and targets for the future. Ben Cooper spoke with the dairy firm's environment, health and safety manager Robin Dearden.
UK: Robert Wiseman plans milk price increase
6 July 2011
Robert Wiseman Dairies expects to increase farm-gate milk prices to ensure its supplies during the winter period.
In the spotlight: Liquid milk proves sour spot for UK dairies
20 May 2011
Two of the UK's largest dairy companies - Robert Wiseman Dairies and Dairy Crest - delivered their annual results this week and a comparison between the two makes for some interesting reading. Robert Wiseman reported a near 30% plunge in profits as its liquid milk business was hit by poor trading conditions, while Dairy Crest showed the benefits of being a broad-based dairy firm, delivering a 5% increase in profits. Katy Humphries takes a closer look.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2011
Wal-Mart Stores is still struggling in the US but it has found a bright spark in the positive comparable sales in its food division. Similarly, this week, Carrefour talked up its ability to turnaround the more sluggish aspects of its businessWal-Mart Stores is still struggling in the US but it has found a bright spark in the positive comparable sales in its food division. Similarly, Carrefour talked up its ability to turnaround the more sluggish aspects of its business this week.
UK: Costs dent Robert Wiseman FY bottom line
17 May 2011
UK dairy group Robert Wiseman Dairies saw annual profits decline by almost a quarter in its last financial year, as the company's margins were hit by increased competition and higher costs.
UK: Wiseman confirms FY guidance but shares slide
31 March 2011
Robert Wiseman Dairies expects annual turnover and underlying profits to meet its previous expectations, the UK milk processor confirmed today (31 March) - but the company's shares still fell.
UK: Wiseman, Co-op set up dedicated milk supply
16 March 2011
UK milk processor Robert Wiseman Dairies and The Co-operative Group are to set up a dedicated milk-supply scheme to serve the retailer's 4,000 food stores.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
28 January 2011
Sara Lee today (28 January) unveiled plans to split it's business in two, ending speculation since last summer that the company may be sold.
Editor's choice: highlights on just-food this week
28 January 2011
After months of speculation, this week Sara Lee finally decided upon its future - and it involves a split of the business. Uncertainty continues to surround the future of the UK's Northern Foods, while local rival Premier Foods took a step to cut its debt pile with a key disposal. Elsewhere, cocoa prices soared after Cote d'Ivoire's president-elect called for an export ban and France's food makers, facing commodity pressure, called on Nicolas Sarkozy to help.
UPDATE: UK: Union "shock" at Wiseman job threat
27 January 2011
Union officials have expressed their "shock" at the prospect of over 130 jobs being lost at UK milk processor Robert Wiseman Dairies.
UK: Robert Wiseman Dairies revamp could cost jobs
27 January 2011
UK milk processor Robert Wiseman Dairies today (27 January) admitted that over 130 jobs could be under threat as the company considers closing a production site and distribution depot.
UK: Robert Wiseman H1 profits slide
15 November 2010
Robert Wiseman Dairies said its first-half results are "consistent" with its expectations, despite booking a drop in profits.
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