Editorial
August it may be - and even our over-worked editor is off on his holidays this week - but the M&A rumour mill has continued to turn in the food industry.
On Friday it was reported that private-equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Bain Capital may be preparing a bid for premium food retailer Whole Foods Market.
The two private-equity firms remained quiet on rumours that they are looking at a cash offer that would value the company at a substantial premium to the current stock price of around US$90 a share.
According to the reports, a figure of close to US$6bn is being mentioned.
Elsewhere, Bright Foods announced the acquisition of Australian manufacturer Massanen Foods.
Elsewhere, Bright Foods announced the acquisition of Australian manufacturer Massanen Foods.
If reports over the last 12 months are to be believed, China's state-backed food group, keen to expand overseas, has held talks or lodged an interest in some of the best-known food makers in the West.
This deal begins to confirm the scale of Bright's ambitions.
This deal begins to confirm the scale of Bright's ambitions.
In this week's Spotlight, Dean Best takes a look at the potential for this Chinese group to expand further.
Elsewhere in the industry, our story on Nestlé's overhaul of its product labelling system attracted a lot of interest. The Nutritional Compass, found on 97% of Nestlé products worldwide, has now been updated to include new questions and answers boxes with product-specific queries such as "How many cups of coffee can I have in one day?".
Meanwhile, just-food has also seen something of an update with the news that our senior reporter Petah Marian has moved on to take up the news editor's role on our sister publication just-style.com, which tracks the global apparel industry.
Meanwhile, just-food has also seen something of an update with the news that our senior reporter Petah Marian has moved on to take up the news editor's role on our sister publication just-style.com, which tracks the global apparel industry.
Although sad news for those in the food industry who have enjoyed her coverage of the retail industry in particular, we are happy to welcome on board Sam Webb, who joined us last week.
A business journalist of considerable experience, you can read Sam's opening salvo on the UK share gains of the discount retailer here. I am sure you will all welcome Sam onto the just-food team and you'll see him out and about in the industry soon.
Chris Brook-Carter, publisher. Dean Best is on holiday.
Until next time...
Dean Best
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-food.com
Email: editor@just-food.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/just_food
Chris Brook-Carter, publisher. Dean Best is on holiday.
Until next time...
Dean Best
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-food.com
Email: editor@just-food.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/just_food
