Valio has announced the launch of four Finlandia cheeses in the US. The company is launching two spreadable cheeses: Finlandia Imported Spreadable Cheese, Original and a new version with Chanterelle Mushrooms. Imported from Finland, Finlandia Spreadable Cheeses are made with non-GMO ingredients and are sold in 7oz red tubs. Furthermore, Valio is introducing two hard cheeses aged for ten months, imported from Estonia: Finlandia Imported Forte and Finlandia Imported Gran Regale. Mari Meriluoto, director of marketing and business development at Valio USA, said: "Food lovers are looking for easy ways to liven up their meals, and our new cheeses take Finlandia classics up a notch. Our Spreadable Cheese gets a sophisticated twist with our Chanterelle Mushroom flavour, while our Aged Cheese, produced using traditional Italian methods, brings a new option to home cooks for pastas and more." The cheeses are currently available at supermarkets across the Northeast, Midwest and California markets.

Packaging companies Smurfit Kappa and WestRock have signed a transaction agreement to create a new global packaging giant, Smurfit WestRock. The companies confirmed the decision yesterday (12 September 2023) following a previous announcement last week that they were in talks about a potential merger. Smurfit Kappa, based in Ireland, brings its expertise in corrugated and containerboard within the European market as well as large-scale pan-regional Americas presence. US-based WestRock will contribute its strong footprint in the US, Brazil and Mexico, across corrugated consumer packaging serving diverse, growing end-markets. Together, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock generated combined last 12 months’ adjusted annual revenue of approximately $34 billion as of 30 June 2023. The merger is expected to make Smurfit WestRock the largest listed global packaging partner by revenue. Smurfit WestRock will be incorporated in Ireland with its global headquarters in Dublin, while its North and South American operations will be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It will employ a workforce of around 100,000 overall. Under the terms of the agreement, WestRock shareholders will receive one new Smurfit WestRock share and $5 in cash, representing a total consideration of $43.51 per share. Smurfit Kappa shareholders will receive one new share for each ordinary share in Smurfit Kappa. Following completion of the combination, Smurfit Kappa shareholders and WestRock shareholders are expected to own approximately 50.4% and 49.6% of Smurfit WestRock respectively. Subject to shareholder approvals, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, the combination is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. Tony Smurfit, Smurfit Kappa’s current CEO, will lead the new combined company as CEO. Current chair of Smurfit Kappa, Irial Finan, will be chair of Smurfit WestRock. “This incredibly exciting coming together of our two great companies is a defining moment within the global packaging industry,” CEO Tony Smurfit said. “Smurfit WestRock will be the ‘Go-To’ packaging partner of choice for customers, employees and shareholders. We will have the leading assets, a unique global footprint in both paper and corrugated, a superb consumer and specialty packaging business, significant synergies, and enhanced scale to deliver value in the short, medium and long term.” Benher Gracio, business fundamentals analyst at GlobalData, commented on the merger: “While WestRock has a strong manufacturing presence with 145 facilities primarily concentrated in the Americas, Smurfit Kappa has over 350 facilities, with the majority of them located in 23 European countries, but with a sizeable presence in the Americas with close to 100 facilities in 13 countries". "Smurfit Kappa has also been on an expansion spree, establishing facilities in new markets like Morocco. Thus, a combined entity will have an impregnable presence in over 40 countries across the Americas and Europe, with about 500 converting facilities and over 60 mills. This is robust, given that the industry’s top player, International Paper, has just over 220 facilities and 28 mills, which will further widen the gap at the top of the pile.”

Danone has launched a global strategic partnerships programme in hopes of cultivating stronger relationships with its global partners. The initiative, called "Partner for Growth," spans from start-ups and scale-ups to corporates and academic institutions. Danone said that the programme will transform how Danone collaborates with its partners by strategically harnessing opportunities "based on consumer trends and insights to support mutual growth". Danone Manifesto Ventures, the company’s corporate venture arm, will also contribute by helping bring high-potential emerging brands, concepts or capabilities to the market. The programme begins with three new partnerships and a joint business plan signed with bioscience company Chr. Hansen. The plan will enable Danone to "push boundaries" of innovation within the dairy and plant-based sectors by using Chr. Hansen's bio-solutions expertise and "leveraging both companies’ extensive culture collections," stated the French company. Danone said "Partner for Growth" is focused on four “interconnected strategic pillars” that will unlock growth for the company. The Activia brand owner envisions a potential in emerging fields of science and technology, where the business can uncover "breakthroughs" in ingredients, agriculture, processes and packaging. In addition, Danone is focusing on precision capacity creation, which involves enhancing the flexibility of its assets by strategically integrating the appropriate technologies, ensuring supply security and collaborating with global and local partners to "better predict and respond to customer needs". Furthermore, Danone says it is committed to achieving cost competitiveness by using digital technology and collective understanding of its end-to-end value chain to enhance operational efficiency, minimise waste and optimise logistics, while prioritising sustainability through initiatives that increase the health benefits of Danone's brands, including decarbonising operations across the entire value chain and promoting responsible practices with employees, communities and partners. Vikram Agarwal, COO at Danone, said the programme is “a structured, holistic and mutually beneficial approach to transform the way we work with partners, to take advantage of short-term opportunities and prepare our brands and categories for sustainable growth in the long-term". He added: "It will help us leverage more from our supplier and partner ecosystem to drive shared business growth rather than using a traditional linear approach. It’s how we’ll stay ahead of emerging trends, serve our customers and consumers better and unlock sustainable growth.” Isabelle Esser, chief research, innovation, quality and food safety officer at Danone, commented: “Through close collaboration with our partners, we can explore new horizons related to product superiority, new technologies in fermentation and decarbonation and find new solutions that benefit us, our partners, consumers and the planet.”

Yoplait has unveiled Skyr Energy, a yogurt product claimed to be the first-ever Skyr to contain real fruit pieces, along with vitamins B6 and D, a high protein content and zero fat. According to the company, the new product was developed "in a bid to capitalise on the popularity of protein yogurt". Yoplait Skyr Energy, which features a creamy texture with a fruity layer, comes in two flavours: strawberry & blackcurrant and mango & passionfruit. Ewa Moxham, head of marketing for Yoplait UK, said: “Skyr Energy is our latest innovation that truly answers a consumer trend and needs. Not only does our Skyr deliver on taste and consistency, it offers the added benefits of vitamins and real fruit." She continued: “Skyr Energy is totally unique and really stands out on shelf. Perfectly packaged to appeal to 25-45 health-conscious consumers looking for a tasty, filling breakfast or afternoon snack.” Yoplait Skyr Energy will be available for its initial launch at Morrisons and Sainsbury's stores and for online purchase on Ocado, priced at £2 for a package containing two 140g servings.

US cheese manufacturer Heartisan Foods has announced the acquisition of North Country Packaging. Heartisan Foods is using a $10 million credit line from private equity firm Ronin Equity Partner to finance the purchase. Formed in 2021 by Ronin, Heartisan was created through the acquisition and merger of three specialists in flavoured and smoked cheese – Red Apple Cheese, Barron County Cheese and the direct-to-consumer e-commerce business Cheese Brothers. Heartisan's range of flavoured and smoked cheeses can be found in over 12,000 retail locations across the US. North Country Packaging manufactures a range of gourmet cheese spreads. Its product line-up encompasses a wide variety, from tomato and sweet basil curds to habanero ghost pepper spreads. According to the company, the deal will triple Heartisan’s manufacturing facility, support the "fast-growing" Cheese Brothers brand and allow the business to launch new products across the cheese spreads and cheese curds categories, which will then support Heartisan’s growth in the cheese snack market. North Country’s co-founders, Kendall Goossen, who will be assuming a senior position at Heartisan, and his wife Maria, will continue to hold "a significant stake in the combined entity," said the group. Gene Graf, CEO of Heartisan, said: “We’ve known the Goossens and their colleagues at North Country for years, and we share the exact same vision. The added capacity comes at just the right time, given that we’re currently running our production facilities at full steam. With 32 different North Country cheese spreads and cheese curds to choose from, Heartisan’s customers now have a different flavour to enjoy every day of any month.” Kendall Goossen added: “This deal is the perfect way to accelerate growth, speed up innovation, and expand cutting-edge products at both companies”. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Aquatech Amsterdam 2023: Unveiling the future of water technology Aquatech, the premier water technology exhibition in the world, is set to make a splash in Amsterdam this November. With over 800 exhibitors and an anticipated 22,000 visitors from more than 140 countries, this event promises to be a game-changer for water professionals worldwide. But what sets Aquatech apart isn't just its scale – it's the knowledge, innovations and connections it offers. Aquatech has partnered with over 50 organisations to bring this water-focused extravaganza to life. Introducing the Aquatech Worlds At the heart of Aquatech Amsterdam 2023 are the four groundbreaking Aquatech Worlds, each addressing current trends and challenges in the water industry. These immersive zones cater to specific interests and issues, shifting the focus from products to solutions and fostering innovation. The Digital World explores the emerging field of digital water. Here, water professionals can discover how digital technologies, data analytics and real-time monitoring are revolutionising water resource management, enhancing efficiency, sustainability and decision-making. Clean Water World addresses the pressing challenges faced by drinking water treatment professionals. From increasing contamination threats to climate change impacts, this zone provides a platform to share best practices and knowledge. Waste Water & Resources World champions the concept of Net Zero and circular ambitions. It unites leaders in water resource innovation, promoting water reuse and energy generation from waste. Industry is a major water consumer, and its impact on water resources is undeniable. This world serves as a meeting place for industry experts to share insights, experiences, and solutions. Topics range from water security to sustainable mining.InnovationLAB and Aquatech Innovation Award Research and development are pivotal for the water industry's future sustainability. The InnovationLAB offers a glimpse into early-stage technology innovations. It showcases nominees and winners of the Aquatech Innovation Award, as well as demos and scale models of fundamental research projects from universities and research institutes. Located in Hall 7 (07.550), the InnovationLAB is where the future of water technology trends is unveiled. Circular Economy Pavilion powered by GWI A joint endeavour with Global Water Intelligence (GWI), the Circular Economy Pavilion (Hall 7, 07.400) is a treasure trove of insights. GWI, a trusted interface between clients and their markets, provides valuable content and knowledge about sustainable water practices. Bluetech Research Innovation Pavilion The Bluetech Research Innovation Pavilion (Hall 7, 07.540) showcases ten carefully selected companies with cutting-edge water technology. These innovators have the potential to disrupt the water industry with their groundbreaking technologies, spanning both utility and industrial applications. Digital Water Pavilion The future of the water industry lies in smart solutions, and the Digital Water Pavilion (Hall 2, 02.120) is the hotspot for the latest trends and technologies. Powered by SWAN and Bluefield Research, it offers a focused learning experience, complemented by seminars at AquaStage. World Championships Pipefitting Celebrate the craftsmanship of pipefitting professionals from around the world in Hall 3 (03.118). The competition features mechanics, a rookie race, and a contest among management teams, all powered by Saint-Gobain and IPCO. Exhibitor Happy Hour The Aquatech Exhibitor Hour, complete with live music, free drinks and Dutch delicacies, is now available to visitors. It's a great opportunity for networking and relaxation. AquaRun Combine business with fitness by joining the AquaRun, a 5km run through the scenic Beatrix Park. Finish off with a healthy breakfast and networking opportunities – all for a charitable cause. Aquatech Innovation Forum: Accelerating Water Agility On 6 November 2023, the Innovation Forum (Hall 13) will address the pressing challenges faced by water utilities. This event fosters connections between utilities, start-ups, investors and policymakers to enhance agility in addressing future water-related challenges. Don't miss Aquatech Amsterdam 2023 – it's where the water industry's present and future converge, fostering innovation, collaboration and sustainable water solutions on a global scale. Register here.

International spirits company Bacardi has announced the completion of a transaction that makes it the sole owner of artisanal mezcal brand Ilegal Mezcal. The transaction follows a working partnership between the two companies, established in 2015. Ilegal was created by John Rexer in 2006, after the founder worked with small distillers in Oaxaca, Mexico, to make mezcal for his Guatemala-based bar. Ilegal is double distilled in small batches using 100% Espadin agave. The product is described as 100% natural, using no artificial colours, yeasts, flavours or additives. Following the acquisition, Rexer will continue to guide the brand’s vision, Bacardi confirmed in a statement yesterday (11 September 2023). Commenting on the acquisition, Rexer said: “Success for Ilegal goes beyond seeing more of our bottles on shelves; it’s about building our business the right way. We will always be committed to artisanal production, the Oaxacan community, and our core values. Being a part of Bacardi will bring Ilegal to a larger audience while maintaining our commitment to sustainability and growing the business responsibly.” According to IWSR, the super premium plus mezcal category is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16% over the next five years. The United States dominates the category, with 86% of its global market share. Barry Kabalkin, vice chairman of Bacardi, said: “We believe that Ilegal has the credentials to own and lead the super premium mezcal category at a global level. Ilegal perfectly complements our portfolio and bringing it into our business sets the brand up for even greater growth as mezcal captivates more and more consumers.” Bacardi’s spirit and wine portfolio includes more than 200 brands and labels including Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka, Patron tequila and Dewar’s Blended Scotch whisky. The family-owned company was founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba and now employs approximately 9,000 members of staff. It operates production facilities in ten countries and sells in more than 160 markets. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Campari Group has revealed that its longstanding CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz intends to retire after 18 years with the company in order to “pursue personal passions”. Kunze-Concewitz will step down from his position on 11 April 2024. Matteo Fantacchiotti, currently managing director for the Asia Pacific region, has been named deputy CEO and will assume the role effective immediately. Kunze-Concewitz will remain on the board as a non-executive director of the company. He first joined the company in 2005 as the chief marketing officer and was subsequently promoted to the position of CEO in 2007. During his leadership, Campari expanded its brand portfolio beyond its signature aperitif. In addition, Kunze-Concewitz has overseen 27 acquisitions since 2007 for an overall investment of €3 billion. Kunze-Concewitz said: ‘Leading Campari Group has been an incredible honour, the most exciting professional journey in my career...I am grateful for the trust and support that I have been always receiving from the management team and the board of directors, in particular our chairman. We have been working closely with our chairman and the board of directors to carefully prepare for this moment, as per the company’s corporate governance, enabling an orderly and smooth transition...I am very happy to pass the baton to Matteo, a top manager whom I personally recruited and who already contributed significantly to Campari, thanks to his leadership capabilities and deep expertise in the spirits industry, particularly in the super-premium end." Fantacchiotti added: ‘I feel honoured and proud about the appointment. Bob leaves Campari Group in a phenomenal position. The impressive achievements of the group under Bob’s visionary leadership are an inspiration for me to continue on this journey, building on our proven growth strategy in continuity with the past, combining a strong brand building with value-enhancing acquisitions." Luca Garavoglia, Campari's chairman, commented: ‘On behalf of the board of directors and personally, I would like to thank Bob for the amazing work done at Campari Group: During his tenure, Bob led our company to achieve incredible results, making Campari Group a jewel of the spirits industry. His great passion and dedication were also instrumental to create a global team of uniquely talented Camparistas, and he leaves Campari Group in a perfect position to unlock future growth opportunities. In this long-planned transition, together with the board, I am now pleased to see the baton pass to Matteo, a leader with great experience in the spirits industry, who will be able to continue the path that Campari Group has had so far, in continuity with our proven growth strategy.’

US delivery company Gopuff has teamed up with energy drink brand Juvee to launch a new limited-edition flavour, Peachy Mangopuff. Juvee Peachy Mangopuff, which features a blend of peach and mango, contains B vitamins, taurine and 128mg of caffeine for long-lasting energy; L-theanine for elevated mood; Panax ginseng for sustained focus; and vitamin C to support health and wellbeing. In addition, it contains 0 sugar and only five calories per 12oz can. The new product is said to boost energy, increase focus and improve overall wellbeing. “Sitting at the intersection of culture and commerce, Gopuff has become the go-to platform for cutting-edge creator brand launches,” said Daniel Folkman, SVP of business at Gopuff. “Our collaboration with Juvee was a natural fit as it’s allowed us to create a unique energy drink that embodies the essence of both of our brands – customer-inspired, playful and connected.” Juvee Peachy Mangopuff is available nationwide exclusively on Gopuff for $3.49.

BrewDog Distilling Co. has announced the launch Wonderland Cocktails, a new collection of five RTD “bar quality” cocktails. The new beverages include Classic Mojito, Classic Margarita, Espresso Martini, Cantarito Paloma and Passionfruit Martini. The range is designed with an innovative feature, the cans contain differing volumes of liquid, allowing consumers to shake specific cocktails to aerate the product and deliver a smoothness of serve and additional texture. They are made with BrewDog Distilling Co.’s newly launched spirits: LoneWolf gin, Abstrakt vodka, DUO rum and Casa Rayos tequila. Wonderland Cocktails are crafted with ABV’s ranging from 10% to 14%, setting them apart as higher strength serves in the market and of “bar-grade quality”. The cans are designed to be enjoyed in the comfort of home, offering a premium cocktail experience without compromising on quality. Steven Kersley, director of BrewDog Distilling Co, said: "Wonderland Cocktails have arrived, and we’re going to share with you a collection of sumptuous cocktails which have been created with one mission in mind – to bring bar quality cocktails to you, to enjoy whenever the occasion demands a delicious drink”. He continued: “Using our award-winning spirits alongside a selection of hand-picked ingredients we’ve crafted the Wonderland range of five classic cocktails. We’ve made sure that these cocktails taste unlike any other canned cocktail you’ve experienced before and that’s why our cans are slightly oversized. We’ve left just enough space for you to shake your cocktail, creating a silky flavour texture just like it would be in a bar.” Classic Mojito and Cantarito Paloma have 10% ABV, while the Classic Margarita, Espresso Martini and Passionfruit Martini cans have 14% ABV. Wonderland Cocktails will be available from Morrisons supermarkets from 16 October for an RRP of £3.90 per can.

The JM Smucker Co has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hostess Brands, the owner of Twinkies snack cakes, for approximately $5.6 billion. The acquisition includes Hostess' net debt of around $900 million. The deal includes a range of sweet baked food brands from Hostess Brands, such as Donettes, Twinkies, CupCakes, DingDongs, Zingers, CoffeeCakes, HoHos, Mini Muffins, Fruit Pies, and the Voortman cookie brand. It also includes manufacturing facilities located in Emporia, Kansas; Burlington, Ontario; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as the under-construction facility in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and a distribution facility in Edgerton, Kansas. Additionally, approximately 3,000 employees will join JM Smucker as a result of this transaction. The acquisition is said to bolster the company's existing portfolio by introducing Hostess Brands' snacks and sweet baked goods innovation to JM Smucker's current line-up of brands across the coffee, peanut butter, frozen handhelds, fruit spreads, dog snacks and cat food categories. In addition, JM Smucker said that the deal will strengthen its financial profile and provide shareholders "significant value by accelerating growth in convenient consumer occasions". Mark Smucker, president and CEO of JM Smucker, said: “We are excited to announce the acquisition of Hostess Brands, which represents a compelling expansion of our family of brands and a unique opportunity to accelerate our focus on delighting consumers with convenient solutions across different meal and snacking occasions". He continued: “With this acquisition, we are adding an iconic sweet snacking platform; enhancing our ability to deliver brands consumers love and convenient solutions they desire; and leveraging the attributes Hostess Brands offers, including its strong convenience store distribution and leading innovation pipeline, combined with our strong commercial organisation and consistent retail execution across channels to drive continued growth." "Our organisation is well positioned to deliver on the great potential our expanded family of brands offers, as has been reflected by our history of growth through acquisition and the successful integration of new categories to our business. We look forward to this exciting new chapter for The JM Smucker Co.” Andy Callahan, president and CEO of Hostess Brands, added: “Today represents another exciting chapter for Hostess Brands as we combine our iconic snacking brands with The JM Smucker Co.’s family of beloved brands. We believe this is the right partnership to accelerate growth and create meaningful value for consumers, customers and shareholders. Our companies share highly complementary go-to-market strategies, and we are very similar in our core business principles and operations." The deal is set to be finalised in the third quarter of JM Smucker's current fiscal year, which ends on 30 April 2024. Both JM Smucker and Hostess Brands' boards of directors have given their unanimous approval for the transaction.

British supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has announced a new £6 million annual investment in its dairy farmers, fostering long term support for the industry. From next month, dairy farmers supplying Sainsbury’s with milk will be paid more as a result of the annual investment. According to the supermarket, reports have shown that factors such as rising costs resulted in around 5% of dairy farmers leaving the industry last year, with one in ten believing that they will have left the sector by 2025. Acknowledging the increasing volatility of input costs and high level of capital investment required by dairy farmers, Sainsbury’s undertook a year-long review, with the support of its ‘Dairy Development Group’ (SDDG) farmer steering group, into how it pays farmers for milk. Coming into effect from 1 October, the latest investment adds to an £8.9 million booster payment given to SDDG farmers in April last year. Since introducing the ‘Cost of Production’ model to the SDDG in 2012, Sainsbury’s says it has paid farmers, on average, 2.45 pence per litre more, compared to the rest of the market, delivering a £114 million benefit. £4.3 million of the new investment will go towards giving farmers an additional fixed 1 pence per litre for milk on top of the independently calculated ‘Cost of Production’ price that the retailer currently pays to farmers. With the typical volume of milk produced per year, per farm being roughly 2.7 million litres, this means the average farm could receive around £27,000 extra annually. The remaining £1.7 million will be used for sustainability bonuses. Sainsbury’s says that farmers will be rewarded for helping the supermarket to achieve its ‘Plan for Better’ targets, specifically carbon reduction, through activities such as using sustainably sourced feed and using the correct amount of fertiliser, in the right way. Gavin Hodgson, director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, said: “The dairy farming industry is becoming increasingly challenging and we recognise the responsibility we have as a retailer to support farmers and the need for continuous investment in this sector”. He continued: “We are proud of our continued investment into the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group and are confident our £6 million annual investment will help farmers to plan for a long-term and sustainable future. In turn, we hope this will also provide surety of supply for our customers as we continue to champion British milk now and for the future.” New compliance legislation for dairy farmers means that many will need to make updates to their farms such as upgrading and improving feed stores and increasing the size of slurry storage, all which can be expensive. Sainsbury’s hopes the additional support will give farmers the confidence and desire to invest in these long-term changes so they can continue production for years to come. You may also like to read: Sainsbury’s new steak packaging to save 10 million plastic pieces annually Sainsbury’s takes full ownership of store investment vehicles for £430.9m Sainsbury’s becomes first UK retailer to vacuum-pack all beef mince