IPP Logipal has been awarded a new pallet contract with drinks packaging manufacturer Esterform Packaging. Based in Leeds, Esterform is an independent converter of PET in the UK and a manufacturer of 38mm neck bottles for the juice sector in Europe. The company, created in 1998, also designs and produces a range of bespoke plastic containers for the beverage, water and household chemical sectors as well as DIY products. With a five-year investment programme, Esterform aims to ensure that capacity continues to keep pace with growing customer requirements. As part of this investment, the packaging supplier has appointed IPP Logipal to provide a simple, yet reliable one-way pallet service to deliver products to manufacturers in the UK soft drinks industry. IPP Logipal makes weekly deliveries to Esterform’s production facility from its Widnes depot and, once utilised, pallets are collected and inspections carried out to KPI (key performance indicator) criteria, ensuring customers receive consistently high-quality pallets.

At the 39th 'Swiss Star' competition of the Swiss Packaging Institute (SVI), the jury awarded the "tpod in Pull Pack" with the Swiss Star 2008 in the sales-packaging category. The concept was presented by Sigpack Systems, a Bosch Packaging Technology company. The "tpod in Pull Pack" is based on the Bistrozucker (Stick Pack) packaging style which replaces the traditional tea bag with a modern lifestyle product for ease of use for the consumer. The Stick Pack, also referred to as tpod (tea portion of design), offers a user-friendly alternative to the traditional tea bag and can be used at the same time as a spoon for stirring. Other applications for this concept include coffee, sugar or pharmaceutical products. In partnership with Alcan Packaging, Bistozucker and Mendel, Sigpack Systems combined the Pull Pack with the Stick Pack. "Our creative team working with Alcan and Bistrozucker was the key to the success of the project," said Holger Botsch from Sigpack Systems. "We combined our unique and complementary competencies to create an innovative convenience product." Primary packaging of the tea is conducted with a system developed by Alcan Packaging which includes an FDA-certified, springback foil that reverts to its original, cylindrical form after filling. The Pull Pack Packaging concept functions as secondary packaging and guarantees a quick and exact opening for the clean withdrawal of the tea sticks. The combination of these two packaging formats sealed with a tight closure ensures the quality and protects the aroma of the tea. Sigpack Systems developed the machinery for the production of the perforated Stick Pack as well as for the filling and secondary packaging of the "tpod". The line concept was planned and projected according to specific customer requirements, such as packaging format and capacity. The Swiss Packaging Institute Award was launched 50 years ago. All packages receiving the award are qualified for the 'WorldStar' of the World Packaging Organization.

Stella plans to remove two brands from its Artois family: Peeterman Artois and Eiken Artois to focus on its newly launched 4% Stella Artois, according to MarketingWeek. The move comes months after brewer Inbev axed the Bock brand from the Artois family to replace it with Eiken, earlier in the year. The launch of 4.6% Eiken, brewed using hand-picked hops, was supported by a heavy-weight press campaign created by Lowe. The agency has since been dropped by Stella Artois. Mother has successfully won its pitch for the £20m Stella Artois account, and will take on the global advertising for the beer brand. "In order to focus support and investment on Stella Artois and the recently launched Stella Artois 4%, InBev UK is phasing out Eiken Artois and Peeterman Artois," said Stuart MacFarlane, president InBev UK and Ireland. "Stella Artois 4% has already proved to be the most successful lager brand to be recently launched in the off-trade, and it's complementing the established success of Stella Artois, which is the most widely available draught lager in UK pubs and the third biggest grocery brand in the UK. "InBev UK is informing stockists of the decision and will continue to work with them to ensure that the InBev UK range of brands, including Stella Artois and Stella Artois 4%, reflects their consumer profile and commercial needs. "Eiken Artois and Peeterman Artois will be phased out in the on-trade by the end of the year and in the off-trade by April 2009."

Parmalat has announced the signing of a preliminary contract with Newlat SpA in respect of the disposal of the Parmalat dairy business unit located at Lodi. The business unit produces and sells cheese under the Ala, Polenghi and Optimus brands. The unit recorded net sales of approximately €36m in 2007, and currently employs 93 staff. Along with the business unit, a portion of real estate consisting of land and two properties used for the business will also be transferred. Commercial agreements for supply and distribution will also be executed between Parmalat and Newlat to ensure coverage of the region presently addressed by the existing business through the Parmalat distribution network. Newlat, based at Reggio Emilia, operates under the Buitoni licenced brand and Polenghi, Matese, Giglio, Torre in Pietra and Fior di Salento owned brands. For the full year 2008, Newlat expects to report turnover of around €200m, with around 800 staff.

The first member of Pump Aid's overseas staff, Diana Maunze, has visited the Waterbrands bottling plant in Harrogate to deliver thanks to the company. Diana is programme officer with the charity Pump Aid, which works in Zimbabwe and Malawi giving rural communities access to clean water and sanitation. Waterbrands launched its charity brand Thirsty Planet in 2007, with the pledge that a donation will be made to Pump Aid for every bottle sold. To date, Thirsty Planet has clocked up donations of more than £770,000, which will pay for materials to build more than 3,000 pumps to supply 20 litres of clean water a day to more than one million people. Diana, who's based in Zimbabwe, said rising prices and the unavailability of materials were hampering Pump Aid’s work, but it still aimed to complete 250 new wells and water pumps by the end of the year. “Without Thirsty Planet’s fantastic support, our work couldn't progress so quickly. The people who will benefit from these pumps will have their lives transformed and it’s all thanks to the people in Britain who choose to buy Thirsty Planet,” she said.

*Ty Nant Natural Mineral Water is supporting breast cancer charities through the Pink Ribbon Foundation. * As part of the campaign, the brand is offering a pink mini fridge with a one-year supply of Ty Nant Pink bottles for one lucky winner. To take part in the competion, visit[ the website]<1>. Entry details must be submitted by 31 December 2008. Ty Nant is famed for its award-winning product range, and the launch of the curvaceous Ty Nant PET dressed in pink has caught the imagination of buyers at prestigious stores such as Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Waitrose in the UK, as well as premium retailers across Europe. <1>: http://www.tynant.com/main.aspx?pID=25-0

Australian research organisations with a focus on dairy have a chance to win funding from Dairy Innovation Australia (DIA), between AUS$200,000-AUS$2.5m. DIA is an industry led company established in 2007 to be a catalyst for innovation in the Australian dairy industry. In 2007/2008, funding from DIA totalled AUS$7.24m. Australian research organisations with interest in any of the following four key areas can apply for the grant: Cheese and Cultured Products/Production Functional Foods and Ingredients/Dairy Health and Nutrition Dairy Components, Ingredients and Applications Process Design and Performance Applications will be judged on a number criteria, including quality of the project plan, potential scientific and technological benefits to the dairy industry and the track record of research teams involved. The company said that although discoveries will be protected, much of the knowledge generated will eventually become publicly available through publication, collaboration or licensing arrangements. Applications for the latest round of grants must be received by 5pm on 9 January 2009.

Dairy Farmers Chairman Ian Langdon says the change in ownership of the business to National Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirin Holdings, has heralded the beginning of a new era in Australia’s dairy sector. Langdon, who, along with other directors, has resigned from the Dairy Farmers Board following the takeover, says the acquisition of the business will have a positive impact on Dairy Farmers’ shareholders as well as the broader industry. “As a result of shareholders' overwhelming support for the proposal, hundreds of millions of dollars in shareholders’ equity will be unlocked and returned to dairy farmers across Australia," he said. “This injection of capital on farm stands to have a positive impact in the short-term and further into the future. National Foods will become Australia’s largest domestic dairy player in revenue terms. “The change in the ownership of the Dairy Farmers business is the culmination of a journey that began in 2004, when our members voted overwhelmingly in favour of change."

**Tate & Lyle plc has announced the appointment of Sir Peter Gershon as a non-executive director and Chairman-elect of the company. **Sir Peter will join the board on 1 February 2009, and will succeed Sir David Lees as Chairman of the company by the end of 2009. Sir Peter Gershon has had a distinguished 30-year career in the computer, telecommunications and defence industries. Between 1987 and 1999, he was Managing Director of STC Telecommunications, GPT and Marconi Electronic Systems. In 2000, he was appointed Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce, in which capacity he also headed up the UK Government’s Efficiency Review in 2003/2004. Among his other current activities, Sir Peter is, and will remain, Chairman of Premier Farnell plc. Sir David Lees, Chairman of Tate & Lyle, said: “I'm delighted to welcome Peter to the Board of Tate & Lyle and very much look forward to working closely with him in the months ahead as we transition the Chairmanship of Tate & Lyle.” Sir Peter Gershon said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Tate & Lyle, following the significant reshaping of the Group over the last few years under the focused and diligent leadership of Sir David Lees and Iain Ferguson. I am greatly looking forward to working with Sir David, Iain and the rest of the Tate & Lyle Board on the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

*Baco Rainbow, the range of food storage products for children, has just completed its second annual Baco Rainbow week in the UK. * The initiative, which was held in schools around the country, encourages children to eat a selection of fruits and vegetables from five colour groups during the rainbow-themed week. Although most parents know the importance of healthy eating, many struggle to put this into practice with many not aware of what counts as part of the five-a-day. With young children preferring more colourful and appealing pre-packaged snacks and fast food, the Baco Rainbow products can make healthy food more interesting. Designed especially for children, the range includes colourful sandwich bags with stickers and resealable character snack bags, making them perfect for wrapping up colourful lunchboxes. The scheme launched last year and has expanded its reach this year with school children incorporating the values of the week not only into lunchtime, but lessons and assemblies. Healthy eating is now a major part of the National Curriculum as the Government attempts to tackle issues such as child obesity. Acting head teacher at St Francis Catholic Primary School in Bradford, Sarah Kenyon, said: “We are delighted to be part of this initiative and the whole school is behind it. We currently offer children healthier school meals and mid-morning fruit as standard, and our catering team are fully behind the scheme. “The Baco Rainbow scheme is a great way to not only encourage the children to think about the food they eat, but have fun choosing healthy options for meals and snacks.” Casper Gorniok, Marketing Manager of the Baco Rainbow range, said: “Healthy eating is firmly on the agenda for most families and schools, and the Baco Rainbow range is designed to help make good food more fun for children. Our feedback from parents reveals that many find getting children to eat fresh and healthy food a major battle and are constantly looking for ways to make fruit and vegetables more appealing. The Baco Rainbow products make lunchboxes and their contents more fun and colourful, so children are more likely to eat what's been prepared for them.” Baco has used its online presence to support the campaign, which encourages learning through activities and games, and also has recipes to help get kids in the kitchen. Parents can also get mealtime inspiration on the recently relaunched Baco website.

**At the inaugural UK Food and Drink Entrepreneur Forum in London yesterday, The Cake Bake Company's Sharon Goodyer faced a 'Lions' Den' in homage to the BBC's popular programme, Dragons' Den.** The Cake Bake Company, famous for supplying the cake that built the Skoda Fabia in the award-winning ad of 2007, is trying out new packaging ideas, and bravely accepted an invite to face a panel of four industry experts in front of an audience of interested entrepreneurs. Sharon Goodyer, a co-director at The Cake Bake Company, delivered an enthusiastic pitch for her new packaging concepts, and took the constructive criticism on the chin. "I actually wasn't nervous, as I felt I was among friends and colleagues," said Goodyer. "I've been able to step out of my company, as I've got much too close. I've always got ideas, but I now know what to do with those ideas." The Lions' Den comprised Neil Nugent – Executive Chef, Waitrose; Kay Wheelton – Head of Trading, The Co-operative Group; Nils Clement – Procurement Director, Starbucks; and Richard Hall – Chairman, Zenith International. "Sharon's pitch was excellent," said Richard Hall. "Her enthusiasm for the brand really showed through – you could see that she cared. And I believe she took on-board the advice that was offered by the panel." The Lions' Den was an afternoon segment of a successful day for the Entrepreneur Forum, which was organised and hosted by consultancy specialist Zenith International. The event included speeches by Andrew Cawthray of Cawingredients, Mark Palmer of Green & Black's, Ben Cull of Yeo Valley Organic, and Richard Reed of Innocent Drinks among others. More photos from the UK Food and Drink Entrepreneur Forum can be found <1>. <1>: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foodbev/sets/72157610394428965/

Ilchester is a leading producer of blended cheese in the UK market. The company has a broad range of added value cheeses in a variety of formats, and is well established in the UK retail market. The company also has extensive export of cheese to 25 countries. Ilchester’s 2007 turnover was £25m, of which international markets made up 25%. The acquisition is part of Tine’s positioning in selected international markets, where Jarlsberg and other speciality cheeses is a strategic growth area.