News

The company SOA People, a leading European SAP Platinum partner, bought a majority stake in the German based Cormeta AG, a certified SAP Gold partner with a focus on medium sized businesses and large enterprises. SG SP

The British company Orchard Valley Foods has appointed Laurence Arnaud as Export Manager, supporting customers from her base in Mainz, Germany. SG SP

Cocoa Life, Mondelez International’s signature sustainable sourcing program, will collaborate with governments in West Africa to reduce deforestation in the cocoa supply chain. SG

Nestlé will explore strategic options for its US confectionery business, including a potential sale. The review covers the US market only and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. SG

The Brussels Court of Appeal ruled in favour of chocolate manufacturer Ferrero in a case against supermarket chain Delhaize. It agreed with Ferrero’s claim that Delhaize had launched a deceitful and misleading ad campaign. SG

Vitafoods Europe has enjoyed another record-breaking year, with visitor and exhibitor numbers both significantly up on 2016. Almost 20,000 visitors attended the global nutraceutical event in Geneva – 13% more than last year. SP

The Swiss company group Firmenich, Geneva, announced the appointment of Julien Firmenich as Vice President of Ingredients. In this role, he will lead the Ingredients Business Unit with a focus on breakthrough innovation, creativity and long term value creation. SP

With an enhanced product portfolio, additional production capacities and packaging options, SternLife wants to strengthen its market position. SP

The ingredient group Frutarom, Tel Aviv/Israel, has acquired the remaining 20.92 % stake in Spanish plant extracts company Nutrafur for USD 2.36 m. It adds to the initial 79% stake that Frutarom acquired in Nutrafur in September 2015. SP

The ingredients specialist Bösch Boden Spies now offers European food manufacturers a new ingredient that caters to several trends. SG SP

Baker Perkins companies in the UK and USA have new managing directors. SP

Following a weak start to the year, confectionery companies made up for the losses in German retail by early May 2017; the recorded sales were up 1.4% to € 4.98 bn – with a stagnant sales volume of 609,850 tonnes (+ 0.3%). SG

The French snack giant Vico relies on rigid paper containers from Sonoco Europe for the introduction of the ring-shaped, three-dimensional Hula Hoops snack to the French market. SG SP

Katjes International GmbH & Co. KG, an associated company of the Katjes group in Emmerich, Germany, increased the group revenue in 2016 by 6.9% up to € 224.5 m. The consolidated operating result increased by 12.7% up to € 12.4 m. SG

One of the most exciting developments of the last years is the technology of 3D printing. The international congress for additive production and 3D food printing in September 19 to 20, 2017 aims at explaining how 3D printers can be applied appropriately in the food industry, and which requirements need to be fulfilled. SG SP