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First Milk

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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.

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With growth slowing in the UK, retail sales volumes down and promotions on the increase, even the better performing food manufacturers can betray a note of pessimism, writes Dean Best.

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The spectre of the end of dairy quotas in the EU is prodding dairy processors across the continent to combine.

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Little surprise that some of the choicest quotes of the week focused on Kraft Foods' pursuit of Cadbury. The US food giant faced criticism from UK union officials of its perceived lack of commitment over Cadbury jobs should it succeed in its quest for the confectioner. Supplier criticism was also revealed to be a key factor in the decision of First Milk's chief to leave the UK dairy co-op, while key dairy supplier, packaging giant Tetra Pak, warned the recession means consumer behaviour will never be the same again.

From a "sleeping giant" losing money to a "sustainable, good business", Adams Foods CEO Ian Toal says the UK arm of The Irish Dairy Board has made significant progress since he joined the business in 2011. What has driven the business? And how does it plan to grow further? Dean Best met Toal to find out.

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The UK cheese sector is one of the most promotion-driven categories in the country, not least with consumer confidence low and retail volumes under pressure. This week, just-food travelled to the Nantwich Show, a key event in the industry's calendar, and met Richard Hollingdale, commercial director of the UK's largest dairy co-operative, First Milk. In this month's just-food interview, Hollingdale discusses the tough trading conditions at home and the company's ambitions overseas.

First Milk today (15 March) named former Medina Dairy and Milk Link executive Shelagh Hancock as its new CEO, replacing Mike Gallacher who is stepping down after two years leading the UK cooperative.

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UK dairy cooperative First Milk said it has completed its turnaround process as it hailed a "radical transformation" that has enabled it to catch up on deferred payments to its farmer members. 

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First Milk, the UK dairy cooperative, has reported improved profitability year-on-year in the first half of its financial year despite falling sales.

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First Milk, the UK dairy co-operative, has forecast higher underlying operating profit in its current financial year.

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UK dairy cooperative First Milk has agreed to sell its sports nutrition  business CNP Professional to The Protein Partners Ltd. 

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First Milk, the UK dairy cooperative, said that it expects to return to profit as it updated its farmer-owners on the progress of its turnaround efforts. 

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Arla Foods has taken full control of UK business Westbury Dairies after joint venture partner First Milk decided to leave the partnership to focus on cheese and liquid milk. 

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Ahead of the climate talks in Paris, Unilever announced plans to be carbon positive from its operations by 2030. Elsewhere, there was more consolidation in the US food sector, with Pinnacle Foods moving for Boulder Brands. Tyson Foods, Post Holdings and Greencore all had annual results out in the week. Maple Leaf Foods outlined plans to "streamline" its business, which is set to lead to the loss of 400 staff. Here is the week in quotes.

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First Milk has offloaded Glenfield Dairy to fellow UK group Graham's The Family Dairy for an undisclosed sum.

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First Milk has reported GBP24.9m (US$38.2m) worth of losses in the year ending 2015, a level chairman Sir Jim Paice called "not acceptable".

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This week the World Health Organization confirmed findings of a link between processed meat consumption and colorectal cancer - sparking fierce debate in and around the industry. Elsewhere, Snyder's-Lance agreed a deal to buy Kettle Chips owner Diamond Foods for US$1.91bn. And just-food interviewed Bonduelle CFO Gregory Sanson, who hinted at the firm's renewed ambitions for M&A. Here is the week in quotes.

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First Milk has set out changes to the way the UK dairy co-operative is run, the latest in a series of measures to try to improve its performance.

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Brian Mackie has been appointed First Milk’s chief operating officer, the UK dairy co-operative has announced.

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This week, members of The Consumer Goods Forum committed to halving food waste by 2025. Elsewhere, Ferrero made a bid to acquire UK confectioner Thorntons. Nestle appointed a new CFO to replace Wan Ling Martello and First Milk chairman, Sir Jim Paice, resigned. Here is the week in quotes.

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UK dairy co-operative First Milk has announced its chairman, Sir Jim Paice, is to step down.

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Challenging conditions in the global dairy sector were again confirmed when both First Milk and DMK reported lower earnings. European meat firm Vion, however, insisted that its results were "improved" on 2014 despite racking up losses in the period. Here are the results in brief for this week.

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UK dairy co-operative First Milk has announced plans to cut around 70 jobs and reduce the price it pays farmers as the group works to improve its financial position.

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This week, Mondelez International reported its first-quarter results, with news of a solid performance in China. Elsewhere, Associated British Foods announced the launch of a high-protein bread in New Zealand. Yves Potvin, founder of meat-free brand Gardein, spoke to just-food about its plans under the ownership of Pinnacle Foods. And Kerry Group said moves to reposition its portfolio to focus on snacking trends were paying off. Here is the week in quotes.

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UK dairy co-operative First Milk has appointed ex-Mars exec Mike Gallacher its new CEO.

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We spoke to Quorn Foods CEO Kevin Brennan this week to discuss the takeover talk surrounding the UK meat-free business and his plans for 2015. Elsewhere, Russia admitted it could ease its ban on food imports from the EU, while it was revealed in New Zealand there had been threats to poison infant formula.

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First Milk CEO Kate Allum is to leave the UK dairy co-operative, the company confirmed today (9 March).

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UK dairy group First Milk has posted annual losses of over GBP5m despite higher sales thanks to the cost of closing a packing facility and to restructuring charges.

The industry veteran and former Burton's Biscuit Co. and Quorn Foods chairman is to take the role at First Milk, the UK dairy co-operative hoping to bounce back from a challenging 18 months or so.

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First Milk's bid for recovery has seen the UK dairy co-operative appoint former Muller Wiseman Dairies, Milk Link and Adams Foods executive Carl Ravenhall to its board.