Weetabix - food industry company news 
UK: "Technical issues" hit Weetabix production
23 April 2013
Weetabix has been forced to cut production of its Weetabix Minis and Oatibix bitesize ranges, a spokesperson for the group confirmed.
Comment: Sovereign, pension funds to vie for M&A with trade, PE
19 April 2013
Could sovereign wealth funds and pension funds become more active participants in deal-making in the FMCG industry? Perhaps so, writes Dean Best.
Deal or no deal: The likely suspects to acquire Burton's Biscuit Co.
8 April 2013
The private-equity owners of Burton's Biscuit Co. are "considering options" for the UK's second-largest biscuit maker, a process that could lead to an eventual sale. Katy Askew takes a look at the players for whom an acquisition of Burton's could hit the sweet spot.
just-food confidence survey - China dominates emerging market interest
2 April 2013
just-food's Confidence Survey asked for your views on the emerging markets and, in particular, which of the BRIC economies you expected to offer the greatest opportunity in 2013. While the BRICs continued to offer opportunity for most multi-nationals, other markets such as Indonesia and Vietnam are emerging as focus markets for the future.
UK: Ad watchdog raps Weetabix over mobile app
13 February 2013
UK cereal maker Weetabix has had its WeetaKid mobile app banned for making children feel "inferior" if they did not eat the company's products.
just-food's outlook for 2013: Mega deals unlikely as consolidation continues
31 January 2013
There may be caution over the prospect for blockbuster deals in a dilapidated economic environment, but the food sector mergers and acquisitions table still has plenty to whet the appetite.
UK: Weetabix launches On The Go breakfast biscuits
14 January 2013
UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix has entered the breakfast biscuit category with the launch of an On The Go range.
UPDATE: UK: Overseas investment to drive food M&A
8 January 2013
Analysts at Experian believe that overseas investment will maintain the momentum of mergers and acquisitions in the UK food sector.
UK: Bright Food, Weetabix deal dominates M&A scene for 2012
7 January 2013
Food and drink deals, particularly the acquisition of Weetabix by China's Bright Food Group, dominated large-scale merger and acquisition activity in the UK in 2012, a new report by Experian shows.
just-food review of 2012: M&A revival but caution hinders big deals
19 December 2012
There were, despite continued economic uncertainty in many Western markets and concerns over slowing growth in the East, signs that M&A activity rebounded in the food sector this year. However, a look at just-food's M&A coverage this year shows there have been few big-ticket, transformational deals.
The top ten analysis articles on just-food in 2012
18 December 2012
Looking behind the headlines is just-food's signature dish and this year we looked at the major stories in-depth, including the possible suitors for United Biscuits' salty snacks business; the work ahead for China's Bright Food after it bought Weetabix and the prospects for the two companies created by Kraft Foods' split in two.
In the spotlight: CD&R's B&M deal could fire up discount competition
4 December 2012
Private-equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice's acquisition of a majority stake in UK cut-price retailer B&M Retail may see competition heat up further in the country's fast-growing discount channel.
UK/CHINA: Weetabix owner Bright coy amid IPO talk
6 November 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group that owns a controlling stake in UK cereal maker Weetabix, has insisted its primary focus is on expanding the brand in the country amid reports it could list the business.
Logistics - Norbert Dentressangle reacts to the pressure of the downturn
1 October 2012
The downturn has made markets like the UK even tougher places to do business. Retailers are watching costs like a hawk while at the same time using promotions like never before. The first part of just-food's latest briefing on logistics features an interview with Dan Myers, head of the food unit at logistics giant Norbert Dentressangle, who outlines the pressures affecting his business.
UK: Weetabix to "review" porridge court decision
30 August 2012
UK cereal maker Weetabix has said it is "reviewing" a court decision that saw it lose a battle to halt the launch of a new brand of porridge.
UPDATE: UK: Weetabix "disappointed" by ASA advert ban
1 August 2012
Weetabix has said it is "disappointed" with a decision by the UK's advertising watchdog to ban one of its television advertisements.
UK: Weetabix TV ad banned on energy release claims
1 August 2012
Weetabix has had its second UK television advert banned in the last month by the country's advertising watchdog.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, this week at last planted its first flag in Europe with an investment in UK cereal firm Weetabix. Elsewhere in Europe, the CEO of Norway-based consumer goods company Orkla quit amid a disagreement with the company's board and German retailer Metro Group reported a quarterly loss. We also published our latest Sustainability Watch interview, which focused on US food giant General Mills. Click on the headlines for more.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, was full of confidence this week about the prospects for UK cereal firm Weetabix, its first investment in Europe after missing out on companies including United Biscuits and Yoplait. Elsewhere, Orkla explained why its CEO had resigned from the Norwegian consumer goods group, German retailer Metro Group insisted its sales were improving after it reported a quarterly loss and UK peer Morrisons said it would not chase unprofitable volumes despite a fall in like-for-like sales.
In the spotlight: Hard work ahead for new Weetabix owner Bright Food
3 May 2012
Ambitious Bright Food, the Chinese state-backed food group, missed out on previous Western targets like United Biscuits and Yoplait but it has planted a flag in Europe with the acquisition of a majority stake in UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix. The deal could give Bright Food some Western expertise to apply to its domestic business but, as Dean Best reports, its faces a challenge in building the brand in China, where it remains early days for breakfast cereal.
CHINA/UK: Bright Food buys majority stake in Weetabix
3 May 2012
China's Bright Food has acquired a majority stake in UK cereal maker Weetabix.
UK: Lion Capital silent on Weetabix "sale talks" with Bright Food
23 April 2012
Private-equity firm Lion Capital has declined to comment on reports it is in talks to sell UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix to China's Bright Food.
UK: Kellogg dismisses Which? sugar claims
17 February 2012
Kellogg has hit back at claims by UK consumer watchdog Which? that some of its cereals contain too much sugar.
UK: Weetabix to "upgrade" UK, North America facilities
14 February 2012
Cereal manufacturer Weetabix is to invest GBP20m (US$31.4m) on the upgrade of its facilities in the UK and North America.
UK: Weetabix adds to product range
23 January 2012
UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix has announced four new products will be released at the end of the month.
UK: Weetabix unveils Alpen porridge range
11 October 2011
UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix has launched a porridge range under its Alpen brand.
UK: Weetabix "to refinance debt"
8 September 2011
UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix has reportedly started talks with bankers about a potential GBP900m (US$1.4bn) debt refinancing.
UK: Weetabix names Kimberly-Clark's Turrell as CEO
1 September 2011
UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix today (1 September) announced the appointment of Giles Turrell as CEO.
UK/US: Weetabix owner Lion Capital "studies move for Post Foods"
18 July 2011
Lion Capital is reportedly examining a US$2bn deal to acquire US cereal manufacturer Post Foods.
US: Lion Capital pays US$980m for seafood firm Bumble Bee Foods
16 December 2010
US seafood firm Bumble Bee Foods has been sold for US$980m, it has been revealed, after its owner said yesterday (15 December) that the deal, first announced last month, had been completed.
