Cauldron Foods

The most-read comment articles on just-food in 2011

23 Dec 2011

Our comment pages in 2011 looked at Tesco's challenges in the US, the uncertainty that surrounded the country's largest dairy processor, Dean Foods, the disposals made by the UK's largest food manufacturer, Premier Foods plc, and the price war that developed between Australia's two largest retailers, Woolworths Ltd and Coles.

Best bits: Greencore pulls plug on Northern; Quorn Foods is born

14 Mar 2011

So, what now lies ahead for Greencore, the Ireland-based convenience food group?

just the answer - Kevin Brennan, Quorn Foods CEO

11 Mar 2011

Premier Foods plc's decision to sell its meat-free business was seen as a move to reduce a debt pile at the UK's largest food group that, last summer, reached over GBP1.3bn. The unit, renamed Quorn Foods, is now in the hands of Exponent Private Equity. Dean Best spoke to Kevin Brennan, the former Kellogg executive that Premier appointed to run its meat-free operations, and who is now CEO of the new firm.

UK: Quorn Foods created as Premier seals meat-free sale

7 Mar 2011

Premier Foods plc has completed the sale of its meat-free unit to Exponent Private Equity, which has created Quorn Foods, a company with the aim of developing the world's "leading meat-alternative business".

Comment: Quorn sale unlikely to be last Premier Foods disposal

24 Jan 2011

The news this morning (24 January) that Premier Foods plc has sold its meat-free business, ends months of speculation over the future of the business, which includes the Quorn and Cauldron brands.

UK: Premier Foods sells meat-free division to private-equity firm Exponent

24 Jan 2011

Premier Foods plc, the UK's largest food maker, has sold its meat-free business to Exponent Private Equity for GBP205m (US$328m).

UK: Premier silent on "Quorn talks" with Nestle

2 Dec 2010

UK food group Premier Foods plc has refused to be drawn on a report that claims it is in talks to sell its meat-free brand Quorn to Nestle.

UK: Hain Celestial lines up Linda McCartney marketing push

12 Nov 2010

Hain Celestial is set to start a marketing campaign for its Linda McCartney vegetarian range in the UK, a push that includes the brand's return to the country's TV screens.

In the Spotlight - Robert Schofield, Premier Foods

29 Aug 2008

Premier Foods boss Robert Schofield believes the UK food group is on-track, despite its recent travails. This week, however, when Premier published its first-half figures, the market signalled its concern by sending the company's shares tumbling. Dean Best reports.

UK: Debt worries weigh on Premier

28 Aug 2008

Concerns over Premier Foods’ level of debt have caused the group’s share price to drop 7.74% in morning trade after the UK food manufacturer posted first-half profits in line with expectations.

Premier fails to silence the doubters

15 May 2008

With a steady trading update this week, Premier Foods may believe it has stopped the rot at the UK's largest food maker. However, a series of questions still hang over the business and the jury is out over whether the company can thrive in an ever-changing grocery sector. Dean Best reports.

The just-food interview – David Arrow, Hain Celestial

23 May 2007

The organic and natural food sector is clearly a growth area, led by specialists such as US-based Hain Celestial, and attracting investment from mainstream food producers. In the first of a new monthly series of interviews with key industry figures, Dean Best met David Arrow, managing director of Hain Celestial’s UK operations, to discuss the company’s plans for the UK.

UK: Premier Foods pre-tax profit soars 123.2%

7 Aug 2006

Premier Foods today (7 August) reported soaring first half profits, with profit before tax increasing by 123.2% year-on-year from GBP12.5m (US$23.86m) to GBP27.9m, boosted by healthy trading in its core grocery business and the first full half of contributions from its Quorn and Cauldron units.

UK: Premier bolstered by strong brand performance

6 Jul 2006

Unlike many other food companies, who have been feeling the pinch of a constricted market place and escalating costs, Premier Foods has said that it is confident of its ability to weather the storm. In a buoyant trading statement released today (6 July) Premier said that like-for-like sales growth should meet targets thanks to strong performances from its Quorn, Branston, Loyd Grossman and Ambrosia brands.

UK: Premier Foods sales and profits up

7 Mar 2006

Premier Foods said today (7 March) that it has increased its 2005 full year operating profit by 18.2% on sales that were up 6%, boosted by the acquisition of Bird’s Quorn and Cauldron brands. Like-for-like grocery sales increased by 1.6%.

UK: Premier buys Cauldron Foods for £27.0m

1 Nov 2005

UK food manufacturer Premier Foods has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Cauldron Foods, a manufacturer of branded, chilled meat free products, from Rayner & Co (Investments) Limited for £27.0m (US$47.8m).

UK: Cauldron Foods launches new winter bake, grills

18 Oct 2005

UK vegetarian food company Cauldron Foods has launched two new products – Mushroom Bake, and Cheese, Leek and Potato Grills.

UK: Cauldron launches new Moroccan product in organic pâté range

19 Aug 2002

Cauldron, a chilled vegetarian foods manufacturer, has launched a new product in its organic pâté line; Moroccan Chickpea Pâté. The company said that this latest pâté was developed in response to the demand for its three existing organic pâtés, themselves launched to complement the existing successful range of conventional pâtés.

UK: Cauldron Foods increases product portfolio with organic vegetarian launches

25 Jun 2002

Chilled vegetarian food producer Cauldron Foods has launched a series of new foods onto the UK market. The Organic Spicy Bean Burgers and Organic Mushroom Burgers are, according to the West Country-based company, "an unusual alternative to meat based burgers, delivering a good level of protein and with the added attraction of their organic provenance."

A Window on the World of Organics - All Things Organic show report

5 Jun 2002

A telling indicator of the steady move of the organics industry towards the mainstream retail sector is the growth of the "All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show", argues just-food.com's Bruce Hoggard. Just two years old, the show is already gaining an enviable following, and its organisers dished up another tasty programme earlier this month. Hoggard walks us through the event.

UK: Management buy out at Rayner Food Group

22 Jan 2001

The Rayner Food Group, based in Edmonton, London, has been acquired by its management. The company manufactures condiments and sauces under its Burgess and own-label brands, a range of organic and non-organic honeys, chutneys and vinegars principally under the Martlet brand and chilled vegetarian foods under the Cauldron brand.

Vegetarian and Meat-Free Foods

11 Dec 2000

The UK market for vegetarian and meat-free foods has boomed over the last decade, and shows no signs of stopping. It is much easier to be a vegetarian these days; long gone is the time when vegetables were the only choice. What is driving this growth, and how can manufacturers stay one step ahead?