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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.
GLOBAL: European M&A drives change in Rabobank dairy poll
28 June 2011
The two major pieces of consolidation in Europe's dairy sector over the last 12 months have driven the main moves in Rabobank's annual survey of the world's largest 20 companies in the sector.
FRANCE: Sodiaal names Rostand as CEO
24 June 2011
French dairy co-operative Sodiaal has named Frédéric Rostand as its new CEO, effective 18 July.
FRANCE: General Mills closes Yoplait deal
18 May 2011
General Mills said today (18 May) that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a controlling stake in French yoghurt maker Yoplait for EUR810m (US$1.15bn).
FRANCE: Paris in cool response to General Mills' Yoplait talks
21 March 2011
The French government has reacted coolly to the talks that could see US group General Mills buy PAI Partners' 50% stake in Yoplait.
Best bits: The BRIC markets are still emerging
21 March 2011
just-food's BRICs and beyond column aims to highlight the risks - and rewards - of operating in the world's emerging markets. The interest in markets like Brazil and Russia remains intense and, due to the demographic, geographic and economic differences between the four countries - as well as their potential for growth - the clamour for information on what makes each market tick grows by the day.
In the spotlight: General Mills' pursuit of Yoplait
18 March 2011
Months of speculation were drawn to a close this morning (18 March) when it was confirmed that General Mills has entered into exclusive negotiations to buy a stake in French dairy brand Yoplait from investment fund PAI Partners.
US/FRANCE: General Mills confirms Yoplait talks
18 March 2011
General Mills today (18 March) confirmed that it has started exclusive talks to buy into French dairy business Yoplait.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
18 March 2011
The announcement today that General Mills has entered exclusive talks to buy a stake in French dairy business Yoplait will end one of the most fiercely-contested takeover battles in the food industry in the last 12 months. This week, just-food also spent time exploring the new products on offer at IFE and heard about the strategies driving the UK grocery operators. Here's the best of what was said on just-food this week:
The ownership of yoghurt brand Yoplait: story so far
18 March 2011
Yoghurt brand Yoplait has been firmly in the food industry's M&A spotlight for months, with one of the company's two investors, private-equity firm PAI Partners, looking to sell up. Here's a timeline of the twists and turns - and market talk - so far.
US/FRANCE: General Mills "to buy PAI Partners' Yoplait stake"
17 March 2011
General Mills is reportedly set to buy the 50% stake held in dairy business Yoplait by private-equity firm PAI Partners.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
11 March 2011
Perhaps the biggest M&A story in the UK food sector this week reached the final chapter when Ireland's Greencore gave up on its pursuit to buy UK rival Northern Foods.
FRANCE: Sodiaal plans Entremont Alliance closures
7 March 2011
Sodiaal intends to close one of the 13 production plants operated by fellow French dairy co-op Entremont Alliance.
FRANCE: PAI searches for "right" Yoplait partner for Sodiaal
4 March 2011
Private-equity firm PAI Partners, which is in talks to sell its half of Yoplait, has said it wants to find the "right partner" for Sodiaal, the French dairy co-op that plans to keep its stake in the yoghurt business.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
18 February 2011
Yet more 2010 financial results this week but, with the likes of Nestle, Danone and Dean Foods reporting, the market was keen to hear how some of the largest manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic were dealing with the fragile economic recovery and with soaring commodity costs. In the retail sector, just-food took a look at Germany's grocery sector and we analysed why Nelson Peltz's Trian fund has tabled a US$7bn takeover bid for US retailer Family Dollar Stores. Click on the headlines to find out more.
FRANCE/CHINA: Synutra and Sodiaal join forces on infant milk
17 February 2011
Chinese powdered baby milk specialist Synutra is set to invest between EUR65m and EUR80m in building a production plant in the French region of Brittany.
FRANCE: PAI Partners mum on Yoplait bidders "shortlist"
16 February 2011
Private-equity group PAI Partners has remained silent on rumours that it is preparing to shortlist bidders for its 50% stake in French dairy group Yoplait.
Best bits: Manufacturers look to manage margins as commodities rise
14 February 2011
"It does feel a bit like mountain climbing."
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
11 February 2011
Commodity costs was a central theme this week and the likes of Kraft Foods and PepsiCo, announcing their annual results, said the pressure, which began in earnest in the second half of 2010, would continue into 2011. Meanwhile, the race for Yoplait heated up, with nine bids coming in for the yoghurt brand. Premier Foods sold off another asset, this time offloading its canned grocery business to Princes. And, on our insight pages, we took a look at the UK convenience retail channel, the debate over eco-labelling and spoke to French dairy business Candia about operating in north Africa and the Middle East.
BRICs and beyond: Sodiaal's Candia in the Middle East and Africa
10 February 2011
Northern Africa and the Middle East are firmly in the geo-political spotlight, with the political unrest that surfaced in Tunisia last month spreading to the current ongoing protests in Egypt. There are also signs of dissent in Jordan and Yemen. just-food's Stuart Todd spoke to Jean-Luc Deher, international director of French dairy processor Candia, about the Sodiaal-owned company's presence in the region and the risks of operating in such an environment.
FRANCE: PAI Partners confirms nine bids for Yoplait
9 February 2011
Private-equity firm PAI Partners has confirmed that it has received nine bids for its 50% stake in Yoplait, the global yoghurt brand.
FRANCE: "Nine bids" tabled for PAI Partners' Yoplait stake
7 February 2011
Private-equity firm PAI Partners has reportedly received nine bids for its 50% stake in global yoghurt business Yoplait.
US: General Mills launches low-sugar Yoplait Kids yoghurt
7 February 2011
General Mills has launched the latest addition to the Yoplait yoghurt range on sale in the US.
FRANCE: Sodiaal boss Sendowski dies, aged 57
31 January 2011
French dairy co-operative Sodiaal has announced the sudden death of its chief executive Claude Sendowski at the age of 57.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
21 January 2011
Wal-Mart's healthy-eating drive grabbed the headlines this week and prompted speculation about what impact its plans could have on rival retailers and suppliers. M&A speculation swirled around Cargill and Tate & Lyle, as well as Green & Black's, the organic chocolate business once owned by Cadbury but now owned by Kraft Foods. Elsewhere, Glanbia did seal one deal, buying US sports-nutrition business BSN.
FRANCE: Sodiaal creates new company for Entremont upmarket cheeses
20 January 2011
Sodiaal has placed Entremont Alliance's speciality and AOC cheese operations into a separate company, the main change in a new organisational structure in the wake of the French dairy group's acquisition of the cheese maker.
FRANCE: Cheese maker Bel "mulls bid" for PAI's Yoplait stake
19 January 2011
Groupe Bel, the French dairy group behind brands like The Laughing Cow and Boursin, is interested in bidding for the stake in yoghurt brand Yoplait owned by PAI Partners, the private-equity firm.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 December 2010
Here is the best of who said what this week on just-food.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
23 December 2010
The week kicked-off with the news that the purchase of French cheese maker Entremont Alliance by dairy co-operative Sodiaal had been approved.
The just-food management briefing - M&A in 2010 - a timeline
20 December 2010
There have been over 640 stories in just-food's M&A section since April this year covering everything from industry-changing mergers to bolt on acquisitions and brand disposals. This section to the briefing tracks the major moves through the year by looking at all the deals that were put under scrutiny in our insights section.
Related research
Sodiaal SA in Packaged Food (World)
The world's second largest yoghurt producer, Sodiaal, has seen its ambitions for the international expansion of the Yoplait brand bolstered by General Mills acquisition of a controlling stake in the brand. The profile analyses the opportunities available for developing the brand in emerging markets and the strengthening of its position in sluggish developed markets. It considers the potential for Sodiaal to develop its other brands, including those involved in the 2010 acquisition of Entremont.
Sodiaal SA in Packaged Food (World)
The world's second largest yoghurt producer, Sodiaal, has seen its ambitions for the international expansion of the Yoplait brand bolstered by General Mills acquisition of a controlling stake in the brand. The profile analyses the opportunities available for developing the brand in emerging markets and the strengthening of its position in sluggish developed markets. It considers the potential for Sodiaal to develop its other brands, including those involved in the 2010 acquisition of Entremont.
Yoghurt
This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Yoghurt in Thousand Tons. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World.
