Plant Operations
Flowers Foods 1Q Net Income More Than Doubles
May 16, 2013 12:05 pm | News | CommentsFlowers Foods' first-quarter net income more than doubled thanks to a large gain related to its acquisition of the Sara Lee business in California. The baked goods company, which is best known for its Tastykake products and is pursuing some of Hostess' major bread brands, earned $113.3 million, or 81 cents per share, for the period ended April 20. That's up sharply from $37.9 million, or 28 cents per share, a year ago.
AB InBev Abandons Plan To Buy Budvar
May 16, 2013 12:02 pm | News | CommentsBrewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev says it no longer has plans to acquire Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar, with whom it has been fighting a long legal battle over the use of the "Budweiser" brand. Frank Hellwig, legal director for AB InBev, says "we don't have any plans, or intention, or desire to buy Budvar" as a way of solving the dispute.
Daily Sound Bite: Hellmann's Celebrates a Century
May 15, 2013 12:43 pm | News | CommentsTo celebrate Hellmann's centennial birthday, owner Unilever is launching a marketing campaign to drum up attention for the country's top-selling mayonnaise, whose formula remains almost the same as it was a century ago. Media spending is undisclosed, but it's the largest ever campaign for the brand.
The Hidden Cost of Summer Heat
May 15, 2013 11:37 am | by Megan Browning, Big Ass Fans | Articles | CommentsUncomfortable working conditions lead to heat-related illnesses and decreased productivity, which negatively affect the bottom line of the business. When working conditions become distracting and debilitating to workers, personal comfort must be addressed to regain lost productivity.
Hellmann’s Mayo Turns 100
May 15, 2013 9:34 am | by MAE ANDERSON,Associated Press | News | CommentsA lot changes in 100 years, but the key to Hellmann's success may be that not much has changed for the mayonnaise. To celebrate Hellman's centennial birthday, owner Unilever is launching a marketing campaign to drum up attention for the country's top-selling mayonnaise, whose formula remains almost the same as it was a century ago. Media spending is undisclosed, but it's the largest ever campaign for the brand.
Five Reasons to Adopt a PLM System
May 15, 2013 9:17 am | by Chuck Cimalore, CTO and Co-founder, Omnify Software | Articles | CommentsThe availability of PLM systems specifically designed for the small to mid-size market has helped to alleviate concerns and opened a door for Small to Mid-size Manufacturing Businesses (SMBs) to be able to take advantage of PLM, and realize the same benefits as their larger counterparts.
Danone Acquires U.S. Baby Food Maker
May 14, 2013 9:46 am | News | CommentsFrench yogurt maker Danone says it has agreed to take a more than 90-percent stake in organic baby food maker Happy Family. Although Danone is known for its yogurt, baby food is one of its fastest-growing divisions. Revenue there rose more than 15 percent last year. But with Europe's economic crisis hitting sales hard in markets close to home, the Paris-based company has been looking for opportunities to expand abroad.
Venezuela Food Maker Denies Blame for Shortages
May 14, 2013 9:38 am | by FABIOLA SANCHEZ and KARL RITTER,Associated Press | News | CommentsVenezuela's biggest food company on Monday hit back at President Nicolas Maduro's claims that it's to blame for the country's persistent food shortages. The chief executive of Empresas Polar, Lorenzo Mendoza, rejected accusations by the president that the company has reduced production and is hoarding products to create scarcity.
Don’t Give in to Bird Activity at Your Facility
May 14, 2013 9:18 am | by Patrick T. Copps, MS, B.C.E., Technical Services Manager, Orkin, LLC | Articles | CommentsBirdwatching is an activity that fascinates people; it gives avid fans a chance to relax outdoors while watching birds react with each other in their natural habitats. But around your facility, there should be little to no bird activity, as birds can wreak havoc on your property and products.
Falling Prices Hurt Post 2Q
May 13, 2013 12:29 pm | News | CommentsCereal maker Post Holdings' fiscal second-quarter net income fell 59 percent as it paid more in interest and its prices dropped. Its quarterly performance missed analysts' expectations. Shares dropped in Monday morning trading. For the period ended March 31, Post — whose cereal brands include Honey Bunches of Oats and Grape-Nuts — earned $4.3 million, or 13 cents per share.
Michigan's Food Processing Landscape
May 13, 2013 9:12 am | by GreenStone FCS | Videos | CommentsDave Armstrong, President and CEO of GreenStone FCS, a credit services and financing company, discusses the food processing landscape and outlook for Michigan, the nation's 19th largest food processing economy and an employer of an estimated 130,000 workers.
TreeHouse Foods 1Q Profit Up
May 10, 2013 12:33 pm | News | CommentsTreeHouse Foods Inc. reported a 4 percent increase in its first-quarter net income as the food maker's revenue improved on recent acquisitions. The Oak Brook, Ill., company, which makes a number of products including non-dairy powdered creamers, private-label canned soups and salad dressings, also backed its full-year forecast.
WhiteWave 1Q Profit Falls
May 10, 2013 12:29 pm | News | CommentsWhiteWave Foods Co., which makes Horizon organic milk and Silk brand food and beverages, reported Thursday that its first-quarter net income fell 23 percent, weighed down by higher operating costs and expenses. Its adjusted earnings topped Wall Street's view, but revenue missed analysts' estimates.
Dean Foods 1Q Profit Soars on Morningstar Sale
May 10, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsDean Foods' net income skyrocketed in the first quarter on the sale of its massive Morningstar division. The Dallas food and beverage company surprised Wall Street even when the sale of Morningstar is excluded and shares rose in early trading.
Green Mountain 2Q Income Rises 42 Percent
May 10, 2013 9:33 am | News | CommentsGreen Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. shares soared in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company said net income rose 42 percent in its fiscal second quarter, and it raised its earnings forecast for the full year. Green Mountain said sales of single-serve coffee packs climbed 26 percent compared to a year ago. That balanced a decrease in sales of Keurig brewing systems.
Post To Acquire Hearthside Food
May 10, 2013 9:31 am | News | CommentsCereal maker Post Holdings Inc. is buying the branded and private label cereal, granola and snacks business of Hearthside Food Solutions for $158 million, partly as a way to broaden its presence in the cereals category. Post's existing cereal brands include Honey Bunches of Oats, Post Raisin Bran and Grape-Nuts.
Dole To Buy Back up to $200M in Shares
May 9, 2013 12:23 pm | News | CommentsDole Food Company Inc. said Thursday that it will buy back up to $200 million of its shares. The food company said the move allows it to return cash to shareholders, while rebalancing its capital structuring by shrinking the number of outstanding shares. That helps increase earnings per share.
Starbucks, Green Mountain Extend Partnership
May 9, 2013 12:17 pm | News | CommentsStarbucks has signed a new five-year contract that triples the number of branded single-serve packs it makes for Green Mountain's Keurig brewing machines. The deal comes after Starbucks last year introduced its own single-serve brewing machine, which was seen by many as posing a threat to Green Mountain's popular machines.
Snyder’s-Lance Reports 1Q Results
May 9, 2013 9:35 am | News | CommentsSnyder's-Lance, Inc. reported results for its first quarter of 2013. Net revenue for the first quarter ended March 30, 2013 was $419 million, an increase of 6.5% compared to prior year net revenue of $393 million. Net income was $19.8 million for the first quarter of 2013, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.2 million for the first quarter of 2012 or $0.21 per diluted share.
Wrigley Pulls Caffeinated Gum
May 9, 2013 9:28 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | News | CommentsA Food and Drug Administration investigation into the safety of caffeine-added foods has prompted Wrigley to take its new caffeinated gum off the market for the time being. Wrigley said Wednesday that it will temporarily halt sales and marketing of Alert caffeinated gum after discussions with the FDA.
100% Lean Beans
May 9, 2013 9:16 am | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsStarbucks' Carson Valley roasting facility won the 2012 Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)’s Manufacturing Excellence Award, which cites North American plants that demonstrate significant progress in their journeys towards operational excellence over a three year period.
Personal Air Conditioner
May 9, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsWorkers can now easily fend off the effects of extreme temperatures by using the Dual Action Personal Air Conditioner (PAC).
PepsiCo To Meet with Till Family, Sharpton After Controversies
May 8, 2013 12:33 pm | News | CommentsPepsiCo Inc. officials will meet Wednesday with members of Emmett Till's family and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton continued to press for the meeting last week after the company's partnerships with Lil Wayne and Tyler, the Creator, of Odd Future to promote Mountain Dew sparked controversies.
Mondelez Sells More Oreos, Struggles with Gum Sales
May 8, 2013 12:31 pm | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsAmericans aren't chewing as much gum. That's a problem for Mondelez, which owns Trident, Chiclets and other brands. The company, which also makes Oreo cookies, Cadbury chocolates and Ritz crackers, on Tuesday reported a first-quarter profit in line with Wall Street expectations following its split with Kraft Foods Group last year.
Q&A: Maintaining a U.S. Manufacturing Presence
May 8, 2013 12:23 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsFood Manufacturing spoke with Roger Kilmer of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) about the importance of maintaining a strong manufacturing presence in the United States, and what resources are available to domestic manufacturers.
