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Manassen Foods

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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.

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Bright Foods announced the acquisition of Australian manufacturer Manassen Foods this week. With speculation that it has shown interest in a number of other international players hints at the scale of its plans. What exactly are Bright Foods' ambitions? Dean Best reports.

Australian baked good firm, The Cake Syndicate, has said it is seeking an investor to fund capital expansion and growth into Asia.

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Chinese food giant Bright Food Group is reportedly planning to list its Australian unit, Manassen Foods, this year.

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China's Bright Food Co. is reportedly targeting listings of UK breakfast cereal business Weetabix and Australian food group Manassen Foods in the next two years.

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Chinese food giant Bright Food has reportedly snapped up a stake in Australian dairy Mundella Foods.

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China's Bright Food is understood to be holding talks with Israel's largest food manufacturer and distributor Tnuva about a potential acquisition.

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China's Bright Food has acquired a majority stake in UK cereal maker Weetabix.

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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.

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Chinese food and drink group Bright Food has reportedly held talks with the private-equity owner of Griffin's over a possible deal for the New Zealand biscuit maker.

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Bright Food, the Chinese food group, has bought 75% of Australia's Manassen Foods in a major deal, a "step change" according to Roy Manassen, whose father set up the business. Elsewhere, Walkers Crisps stood by Gary Lineker in the face of reports the former striker's role in the company's advertising was set to diminish, stating: "There is no change whatsoever to Gary Lineker's role or relationship with Walkers Crisps." Here's the best of what was said on just-food this week.

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M&A talk has continued unabated, with ConAgra revealing its disappointment around its latest offer for Ralcorp being rebuffed. The owner of former Bright Food target United Biscuits has cooled reports that it is looking to split the manufacturer in two. Happier news for Bright Food this week, however, with the company reaching an agreement to buy Manassen Foods.

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Bright Food, the Chinese food group, has sealed a deal to buy 75% of Australian food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods.

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Bright Food, the Chinese food group, is reportedly set to take control of Australian branded food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods.

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Chinese food group Bright Food is reportedly in talks to buy Australian branded food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods.

Speculation Bright Food is planning to float its Australian asset, the distributor Manassen Foods, has resurfaced, with a report the Chinese giant has hired banking advisers to line up a listing next year.