Weekly Roundup: Saputo to acquire activities of Wensleydale Dairy Products, Dawn Foods buys Icopa

09 Jul 2021 --- This week in industry news, Saputo revealed it is on track to expand its branded position in the UK and abroad by acquiring the activities of Wensleydale Dairy Products Limited. Dawn Foods acquired Portugal-based Icopa, and Tate & Lyle launched a program to enable Chinese stevia growers to lower their environmental impacts. Meanwhile, General Mills completed the acquisition of Tyson Foods’ pet treats business and Diana Pet Food opened a new site in Asia.

In brief: Business moves
Saputo has agreed to acquire the activities of Wensleydale Dairy Products Limited. The business, which will join Saputo’s Dairy Division (UK) under its Europe Sector, operates two facilities in England and employs approximately 210 people. The purchase price of £23 million (US$31.6 million), on a cash-free and debt-free basis, will be paid in cash at closing. Wensleydale Dairy Products manufactures, blends, markets, and distributes various specialty and regional cheeses, including Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, which will complement and broaden the company’s existing range of British cheeses, including Cathedral City and Davidstow cheddars.

The first-ever commercial crop of vertically-grown strawberries heralds a more sustainable future for UK fruit and veg production, says Tesco.Dawn Foods, a global bakery manufacturer and ingredients supplier, has acquired Icopa, the largest distributor of bakery products in Portugal. The acquisition of Icopa’s three distribution centers, including one located directly next to Dawn’s ingredient manufacturing plant in Palmela, strengthens the company’s presence in Portugal and expands Dawn’s distribution capabilities in Europe.

In brief: Sustainability
Tate & Lyle launched a sustainability program to enable stevia growers in China to lower their environmental impact and gain more significant economic benefit from producing this no-calorie sweetener. Developed with environmental charity Earthwatch Europe and being rolled out with support from Nanjing Agricultural University, the outreach program provides farming families in Dongtai, East China, with training to help them to modernize farming practices and achieve sustainability-related accreditation for their stevia.

CP Foods launched its Biodiversity and Zero Deforestation Commitment. To be achieved by 2030, the commitment affirms the company’s social responsibility, which has been exercised through the “Balance of Nature” strategy, one of three pillars toward sustainability strategies the “Food Security, Self-Sufficient Society and Balance of Nature.” The commitment concerns all parties throughout the supply chain, binding all to produce food without harming the environment and supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

A significantly greener way of growing fruit and vegetables in the UK is starting to gather pace. This week, a West Sussex fruit grower will deliver to Tesco the first commercial volumes of vertically-grown strawberries in a production system requiring 50 percent less water and a 90 percent reduction in carbon footprint per kilo of fruit. Even better news for space-challenged fruit and vegetable farmers is that yields from vertically-grown crops are significantly higher than conventional production methods.

In brief: Collaborations The EHL and Nestlé collaboration will lead to creating new product concepts for specific consumer segments, following a rapid prototyping approach.
A closer collaboration between Nestlé and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL Group) will see the world’s largest food company and its leading international hospitality management institution further combine their scientific and culinary expertise to accelerate innovation. Both parties will enroll their creative talents in a joint program to translate scientific discoveries into prototypes and new recipes for Nestlé’s research or R&D Accelerator projects. In addition, EHL faculty and Nestlé Research scientists will collaborate on scientific publications. Guided by EHL’s Chefs, in R&D workshops, EHL students will be exposed to Nestlé’s strong expertise in science and technology, helping them create new recipes.

In brief: Appointments 
Karen Betts – currently chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) – is to become the new chief executive of the Food & Drink Federation (FDF). Betts has led the SWA since 2017. A lawyer by background, Karen previously had a two-decade career in the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service, latterly as HM Ambassador to Morocco. She will succeed Ian Wright, who steps down at the end of 2021 after seven years in the role.

In brief: Plant-based highlights
Consumers and investors have committed over £2.3 million (US$3.1 million) so far to plant-based brand Meatless Farm in the company’s crowdfunding debut. The target was hit just six hours after the campaign opened to the public after a week-long private launch phase. Over 2,000 investors have signed up for the investment, and an extended campaign with increased funding has been confirmed to accommodate the extra demand.

Fiid, the Irish plant-based food company, has taken its sustainability journey up a notch by making its entire range of products carbon neutral, taking the crown of the world’s first Carbon Neutral ready meal. Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This is done by balancing what carbon dioxide emissions are generated, in fiid’s case as a result of its business activities, with its removal, often by process of carbon offsetting but also through total elimination or reduction.

Diana Pet Food opened its modern pet food facilities in a ceremony on July 6, 2021, in Chuzhou, China.In brief: Pet food highlights
General Mills has completed the acquisition of Tyson Foods’ pet treats business for US$1.2 billion in cash. The business, including the Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands, is the leader in natural meat treats for pets. Tyson Foods’ pet treats portfolio generated more than US$240 million in net sales in the 12 months ended April 3, 2021. As part of the acquisition, General Mills also acquired a manufacturing facility in Independence, Iowa.

Diana Pet Food is opening a new factory in Asia Pacific, located in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, China. It is the first Diana Pet Food site in Asia Pacific to feature a spray dryer and a measurement center for pet food palatability, making it a unique site on the continent for the company.

By Elizabeth Green