Industry News

Bonduelle
Bonduelle signed an agreement with Conagra Brands Inc. to acquire its Del Monte processed fruit and vegetable business in Canada. The acquisition includes the right to use the Del Monte brand on different segments of processed fruits and vegetables and stocks of products marketed by Conagra for a total value of $43 million Canadian. The acquired business excludes all industrial and personnel assets, because co-packers and Bonduelle’s existing production capabilities will be used. 

General Mills
General Mills
is buying Blue Buffalo Pet Products for roughly $8 billion in cash. 

Nestlé
Nestlé
bought a majority stake in Terrafertil, a natural and organic plant-based foods company. 

Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd.
Japan-based Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. will acquire TCHO Ventures, Inc., a San Francisco-area, award-winning craft chocolate company. 

Sysco
Sysco
acquired broadline distributor Doerle Food Services.

ABB
ABB
will integrate the Baldor Electric Company name into its global ABB brand as a part of its Next Level strategy. 

Hansford Sensors
Hansford Sensors
expanded its presence in the North American market by setting up a dedicated sales operation near Greenville, SC. 

Middleby Corp.
Middleby Corp.
acquired Hinds-Bock Corporation

TOMRA Food
TOMRA Food
acquired BBC Technologies.

SpotSee
SpotSee
has opened a new facility in Chihuahua, Mexico to better reach its customers, more easily manufacture products in-house and continue its global expansion.

Heat and Control
Heat and Control
opened a new factory in Union, MO, 50 miles southwest of St. Louis. The new facility fabricates Spray Dynamics equipment.


People News

Hershey Co.
John P. Bilbrey will retire as chairman of The Hershey Co. board of directors. Bilbrey, 61, previously served as president and CEO, and was elected to the Hershey board of directors in 2011.  

Nestlé
Nestlé USA named Steve Presley as its new CEO, succeeding Paul Grimwood in 
the role.

Kellogg
Paul Norman is retiring from his role as president of Kellogg North America. North America division staff members will report to company CEO Steven Cahillane until Kellogg names Norman’s successor.

Ocean Spray Cranberries
Randy Papadellis, president and CEO of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., is planning to leave the cooperative on July 1, 2018 after 18 years with Ocean Spray. Papadellis has served as president and CEO since 2002. 

ABB
Todd Gilliam has been named as the US segment leader for ABB’s food and beverage operations.

TreeHouse Foods
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. has appointed Steven Oakland as CEO and president of the company. The company also appointed Matthew E. Rubel to its board of directors. 

Bühler Aeroglide
Bühler Aeroglide has announced that Andy Britt will lead capital sales worldwide, and Mark Bertoncino will direct customer service.