Latest mergers & acquisitions news and analysis articles 
Takeovers, disposals, mergers and MBOs: the latest in food M&A
BRICs and beyond: Hard-headed Danone makes fresh China yoghurt foray
22 May 2013
Danone is to make another attempt to tap into the booming demand for fresh dairy products in China. The French food group is teaming up with Chinese dairy giant Mengniu, the largest yoghurt producer in the country. However, the two companies' previous attempt as a venture ended after just a year. Can Danone succeed this time? Dean Best reports.
CHINA: Arla positive about Mengniu's Danone JV
22 May 2013
Arla Foods has insisted there is "no conflict" between its venture with Mengniu and the Chinese dairy's planned new partnership with Danone.
SPAIN: Deoleo sells Moltuandújar stake to Sovena
22 May 2013
Spanish olive oil producer Deoleo has sold its 50% stake in its Moltuandújar joint venture to partner Sovena, the Portuguese group.
just-food's research round-up: Baby food in central Europe, biscuits in India
22 May 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes baby food markets in central Europe, biscuits in India, and UK bread production.
On the money: Campbell looks to "faster-growing" markets for M&A
21 May 2013
US food firm Campbell Soup Co. has said it can find international M&A opportunities to gain access to markets that will be benefit the business in the long term.
UK: Warburtons buys garlic bread firm Giles Foods
21 May 2013
Baker Warburtons has acquired UK garlic bread producer Giles Foods for an undisclosed sum.
SWEDEN/UK: Cloetta buys UK free-from candy firm Goody Good Stuff
21 May 2013
European confectionery group Cloetta has snapped up Goody Good Stuff, a small UK producer of natural, free-from candy.
CHINA: Danone, China's Mengniu try again with dairy JV
20 May 2013
Danone and Chinese dairy Mengniu have announced plans to set up a dairy venture in China - five years after a similar agreement ended in just 12 months.
UK/CHINA: Tesco "looking for JV partner in China"
20 May 2013
Tesco is reportedly looking for a partner in China, a market the UK retail giant has been in for almost a decade but where it has slowed expansion in recent months.
On the money: UK pork group Cranswick open to more acquisitions
20 May 2013
UK pork group Cranswick has said it is open to making more acquisitions and will continue to chase opportunities for growth in a bid to develop the business further.
Best bits: Danone steps up investment in future growth
20 May 2013
In recent months, Danone has come under scrutiny for the performance of its fresh dairy operations in Europe. However, in spite of - or perhaps because of - the work needed to turn that business around, the French food giant appears to be stepping up expansion in faster-growing markets and categories.
UK: Langholm "puts crisp firm Tyrrells up for sale"
20 May 2013
Langholm Capital, the owner of UK crisp group Tyrrells, has declined to comment on reports it has put the company up for sale.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
20 May 2013
After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2013
The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.
just-food's research round-up: the CIVETS markets, packaged food in the US
17 May 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes emerging food and drinks markets, packaging for an ageing population and packaged food in the US.
US: Peltz ups Mondelez, PepsiCo stakes
16 May 2013
Trian Fund Management, the investment vehicle of activist shareholder Nelson Peltz, has upped its stakes in snack food giants PepsiCo and Mondelez International.
US: Overhill: Bellisio sale "best path" for investors
16 May 2013
The CEO of US frozen-food firm Overhill Farms has said the sale of the business to peer Bellisio Foods is the best way to maximise value for shareholders.
US: Post Holdings: we have resources for more M&A
16 May 2013
US breakfast cereal group Post Holdings said it has the firepower for more acquisitions, just a week after it snapped a clutch of brands and own-label lines.
US: Lifeway Foods doubles Q1 earnings
16 May 2013
US kefir maker Lifeway Foods has doubled its earnings in the first quarter of the year.
US: Frozen-food firm Bellisio to buy peer Overhill Farms
15 May 2013
US frozen-food Bellisio Foods has struck a deal to buy Overhill Farms to boost its stable of branded and own-label items.
GERMANY/ITALY: Rewe claims Billa Italy sale reports "unfounded"
15 May 2013
German retail giant Rewe has said reports it is considering a sale of its Billa supermarket operations in Italy are "unfounded".
In the spotlight: Danone to build on baby nutrition success with organic buy
14 May 2013
Danone's deal to acquire over 90% of US organic baby food firm Happy Family is a first for the French food giant in the category and appears to strengthen its fast-growing infant-nutrition division. Michelle Russell takes a look at the deal.
ITALY: Parmalat asks for cut to Lactalis US deal price
14 May 2013
Parmalat has requested it ends up paying less for Lactalis American Group, a sister company and US arm of majority owner Lactalis.
SLOVENIA: Two bids for majority stake in retailer Mercator
14 May 2013
The consortium selling a majority stake in Balkans retailer Mercator has said it has received two bids for the shares.
US: Danone buys majority stake in baby food firm Happy Family
13 May 2013
Danone has acquired over 90% of US organic baby food firm Happy Family.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
13 May 2013
The quarterly results continued to roll in this week and we listened to a number of CEOs talk about the challenges and opportunities they face in 2013. Elsewhere, just-food covered Hofex, the largest food and hospitality tradeshow in Asia-Pacific, where we spoke with UK SMEs about their international ambitions. Retailer Delhaize Group has also begun the search for a new CEO following the resignation of Pierre-Olivier Beckers.
On the money: WhiteWave looks to M&A, new categories for growth
10 May 2013
WhiteWave Foods has said that M&A and expansion into new categories will form part of its long-term "plot for value creation".
US: Harris Teeter in ongoing sale talks
10 May 2013
Regional US retailer Harris Teeter has said talks with a number of companies about an acquisition of the group are "ongoing".
UK: Ocado lacks global appeal to other retailers - analyst
10 May 2013
Ocado is an unlikely takeover target because its technology and warehouse capabilities do not have enough global appeal, one analyst has suggested following the dampening of reports over a potential acquisition by Morrisons.
Best bits: Ella's Kitchen is Hain's most promising UK buy
10 May 2013
US manufacturer Hain Celestial has struck again across the pond. And its latest acquisition in the UK seems to be the one with most potential, writes Dean Best.
