Weekly Digest: Emmi makes sustainable soy pledge, Mondelēz delivers 2018 business plan

In brief: Sustainability
Emmi joined the Soy Network Switzerland as it aims to help ensure that only certified soy is used in Swiss milk production. For Emmi, this means dairy production adapted to Switzerland and its pastures. More specifically, dairy cows in Switzerland should eat little expensive concentrated feed, but mainly turn grass, which is indigestible for humans, into a rich milk. However, for a balanced diet (depending, for example, on the breed of cow, husbandry system or lactation period), the use of supplementary feed can be beneficial. Emmi believes that use of high-protein soy should not be ruled out, as long as it is sustainably produced.

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Stefan Kausch from the Soy Network said: “Switzerland has supported the launch of European Soy Standards such as Danube Soy from the very beginning with the result that today about 25 percent to 30 percent of the soy feed imports are from Europe. Swiss farmers and the food industry are using 100 percent non-GMO soy, about 95 percent are responsible and certified soy.”

Emmi welcomes the efforts of Soy Network Switzerland, which makes a significant contribution to making Swiss agriculture comprehensively more sustainable. By becoming a member of Soy Network Switzerland, Emmi aims to support the association in its work. The Executive Board of Soy Network Switzerland approved Emmi’s membership application on 8 February 2018.

Nestlé Waters North America and Econsult Solutions, Inc. have released the results of a study detailing the potential economic benefits that a recently proposed bottling facility would bring to Centre County, Pennsylvania. Last month, the company announced the possibility of building a bottling facility in Spring or Benner Township. The proposed facility is anticipated to generate US$58 million in total annual economic impact, support 140 total jobs with income totaling US$8 million in Pennsylvania.
 

In brief: Acquisitions
Bonduelle is set to acquire to acquire Conagra Del Monte's processed fruit and vegetable business in Canada for US$43 million. The company said Del Monte's business in Canada, with revenues of approximately US$60 million, will complement Bonduelle's canned and frozen vegetables which are largely sold under retailer's store brands.

In brief: Appointments & retirements
ADM has named Samson Li as the new President for ADM Animal Nutrition. Li previously served as managing director of the Asian business unit and as a member of the Executive Committee for Nutreco, where he led the company’s expansion in the Asian animal and fish feed markets. Before that, he worked at Novus International as vice president, sales and marketing.

Also this week, the top team of the top sector Agri & Food gained two new members at the beginning of 2018: Frans Keurentjes, dairy farmer and chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina and Bert Jansen, CEO of starch cooperative Avebe. Frans Keurentjes succeeds former chairman of FrieslandCampina Piet Boer. Bert Jansen replaces Robert Smith, former CEO of Cosun.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances also announced that Tom Fortman, Bell’s Vice President of Manufacturing, has been welcomed on as one of four new board members of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry in January 2018. Fortman will be holding his position on the board for three years. Fortman has had his entire career in the food industry and has been with Bell Flavors & Fragrances for the past 20 years in its headquarter location in Northbrook, IL. Among his many duties at Bell, he is responsible for quality assurance (QA), regulatory compliances, engineering, purchasing, and production from various Bell manufacturing sites across the globe.

Elsewhere, Jennifer Aspen Mason has joined CP Kelco’s its Executive Leadership Team as Senior Vice President, Global Innovation, reporting directly to CP Kelco President Didier Viala. A global executive with more than 20 years of industry experience, Mason has an extensive background leading science organizations with Fortune 100 companies. Most recently, she spent more than five years with Mars, Incorporated, where she served as Technology and Science Strategy Officer for all Mars segments.

The Hershey Company declared that John P. Bilbrey will retire as chairman of its board of directors. He will not stand for re-election at the company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled for May 2, 2018. Bilbrey, age 61, previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer and was elected to the Hershey Board of Directors in 2011. Bilbrey will continue to serve as chairman of the board for the remainder of his term.

In brief: Other highlights
Earlier in the week, at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY), executives of Mondelēz highlighted the company's priorities for the year, including delivering its 2018 business plan with excellence and completing a comprehensive strategic business review designed to deliver sustainable shareholder value in the years to come. Chief Executive Officer Dirk Van de Put outlined several areas of focus that will be important as the company develops its future strategic framework: putting consumers first, leveraging Power Brands, solidifying an omnichannel presence and executing with excellence.

Meanwhile, ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM, announced the launch of a new quality protein source for aquaculture and swine diets, PROPLEX T. Composed of dried fermentation biomass, PROPLEX T provides a consistent source of digestible protein and high levels of essential amino acids for aquaculture and swine diets. PROPLEX T has proven to be a successful replacement for other protein sources, such as fish meal, in diets for fish and shrimp, and when used in swine nursery diets during the starter phase.

Ornua has confirmed that it will rebuild a new cheese production facility at its current location at Poligono Vicolozano, Avila, Spain, following a fire in November 2017 that destroyed its previous facility located there. 

 
By Elizabeth Green