Weekly Roundup: ADM to expand starch portfolio in Canada, World’s first “Guinness Gatehouse” opens in China

20 Dec 2019 --- This week in industry news, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) announced plans to expand the reach of its starch portfolio to the Canadian market through a partnership with IMCD. The world’s first “Guinness Gatehouse” opened in the Jing’An district in Shanghai with 1000 square meters entirely dedicated to the brand. Coca‑Cola HBC and The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC) entered into a binding agreement for the contribution of assets relating to the Multon Z.A.O group of companies, while Marinova continues to invest in its seaweed harvesting capabilities in Patagonia, Argentina.

In brief: New launches
ADM partnered with IMCD, a distributor of specialty chemicals and food ingredients, to expand the reach of its starch portfolio to the Canadian market,, effective immediately. ADM texture solutions available to buyers in the Canadian market will include tapioca starch, corn starch and tapioca maltodextrin, in addition to a range of other ADM solutions. The company’s clean tasting starch solutions are designed to improve texture and tenderness in a variety of foods and play a critical role in helping formulators satisfy growing consumer demand for clean label, gluten-free and plant-based offerings.

The Guiness Gatehouse opens in Shanghai.The world’s first “Guinness Gatehouse”  opened in the Jing’An district in Shanghai with 1000 square meters entirely dedicated to the brand, in the heart of the lively Jing’An district in Shanghai. The Guinness Gatehouse is the first-ever adaptation of the well-known Guinness Storehouse concept, the phenomenally successful “Home of Guinness” in Dublin. The new experience includes five different elements: Brewing Vat, a 280º projection showcasing Guinness’s heritage, the art of its brewing and its iconic advertising and a urge & Settle bar, where consumers can enjoy Guinness Draught and a large choice of Guinness beers and cocktails. It also features a brewers’ dining room, serving Guinness and food pairings, aBack bar, a private-dining room to enjoy an ultimate “Flavour by Fire” experience, surrounded by murals designed by Ken Wong, as well as a and Guinness shop, where guests can purchase Guinness products and merchandise.

In brief: Business highlights
Coca‑Cola HBC and The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC) entered into a binding agreement for the contribution of assets relating to the Multon Z.A.O group of companies. This is an existing joint operation of the two companies engaged in the production and distribution of juices in Russia, into a company indirectly owned by Coca‑Cola HBC and TCCC, each with a 50 percent equity interest. No consideration is being paid or received by Coca‑Cola HBC, as this transaction is a contribution of business assets in exchange for the establishment of an arrangement preserving the respective existing business and commercial interests of the parties. 

Marinova, an Australian biotechnology company specializing in high purity seaweed extracts, is continuing to invest in its seaweed harvesting capabilities in Patagonia, Argentina, in addition to its Tasmanian operations. The company reports it has made significant improvements to its harvesting and warehousing infrastructure, enhancing process efficiencies and further streamlining its global supply chain. Marinova continues to source its seaweed from four key locations around the globe: Tasmania, Nova Scotia, Brittany and Patagonia. Spring harvesting is currently underway in the southern hemisphere, “We are very pleased with this year’s harvest. The quality of the seaweed remains extremely high and our teams in Tasmania and Patagonia are currently busy harvesting, drying and processing the material in preparation for fucoidan extraction,” says Paul Garrott, CEO and Managing Director of Marinova.

Kids in the Kitchen helps families create food-positive memories.In brief: Miscellaneous
Campbell’s is partnering with celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, to introduce “Kids in the Kitchen,” a platform designed to create new “dinnertime rituals” for parents and children. The Iron Chef, Food Network’s “The Kitchen” host, restaurateur and father of three will introduce new and updated recipes using the iconic, versatile cooking soup line. Kids in the Kitchen aims to increase the quality time families spend with each other by encouraging them to cook up memories and a lasting bond with easy, kid-friendly Campbell’s recipes. The Kids in the Kitchen recipes are set to feature Campbell’s popular cooking soups, Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken. The platform has recently debuted the Creamy Brussels Sprouts and Sausage Casserole with Parmesan Herb Crust recipes, which incorporate the Cream of Mushroom Soup product.

Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, has announced that Scott Murphy, formerly Dunkin’ US Chief Operating Officer, has been promoted to President of Dunkin’ Americas. He will assume the role from Dave Hoffmann, who will continue to serve as Dunkin’ Brands CEO. Murphy, a 15-year veteran with the company, will have the responsibility in his new role for all aspects of operations, restaurant development, franchising, field marketing, supply chain and consumer packaged goods (CPG) for the approximately 10,000 Dunkin’ restaurants in North and South America.

By Benjamin Ferrer