Associated British Foods has announced that its Allied Bakeries business is investing in growing its healthy bread brand Burgen in the United Kingdom. Burgen, developed by ABF’s Australian subsidiary George Weston Foods in 1994, was the first soy linseed bread on the Australian market, and has a substantial market share in Australia. Associated British Foods, which also manufactures the Allinson and Kingsmill bread brands, will invest GBP 200,000 (A$305,496) in a bid to increase awareness of... ...Read more »

Shares in Associated British Foods tumbled in morning trade yesterday after the George Weston and Don/KR Castlemaine parent company cut its full-year profit outlook, despite an improved first-half performance from its sugar and grocery businesses. The company, which had predicted a rise in full-year earnings, said that price competition and higher cotton prices were hitting its Primark discount fashion business, and that profits are “now expected to be similar to last year’s”. The... ...Read more »

Peter Kean, currently Managing Director of Lion Nathan National Foods’ New Zealand and Global Wine businesses, has been appointed Managing Director of food and beverage company National Foods, from 1 April 2011, replacing Andrew Reeves, who will leave the business to become CEO at ABF’s George Weston Foods. National Foods is one of Australasia’s largest FMCG companies, employing over 4,000 people and producing category-leading brands in milk and dairy beverages, juice, fresh dairy, cheese... ...Read more »

Today George Weston Foods Limited (GWF), a division of Associated British Foods (ABF), announced Andrew Reeves as its new Chief Executive, to lead the company’s future growth.Andrew starts his new role with GWF in April 2011, following the departure of the company’s previous Chief Executive, Geoff Starr. Over the past five years, Geoff led significant change at GWF and the broader industry through his board membership of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and Foodbank Australia. Andrew... ...Read more »

The amount of salt in Australian-manufactured breakfast cereals and breads is being reduced by leading food manufacturers to improve the diets and health of Australians as part of an industry, retailer and government partnership called the Food and Health Dialogue.Under the Dialogue – jointly convened by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler – salt reduction targets have now been set for most leading brands of ready-to-eat cereals... ...Read more »

One of Queensland’s biggest pig processors will shut today, with the KR Castlemaine factory closing down in Toowoomba. The 98-year-old abattoir was acquired by George Weston Foods’ subsidiary Don after their purchase of KR Castlemaine (now known as Don KRC). It has been closed due to persistent losses, with the factory reportedly making a loss of around $5 million last year and an expected $6 million this year. Toowoomba Historical Society president Maurice French told the ABC the closure... ...Read more »

Don KRC has received backing from the Victorian Government for their plan to boost plant capacity while reducing emissions. The Victorian Government said they were keen to support the major investment by Castlemaine’s largest employer, which will create 480 jobs and improve the town’s energy and water efficiency. The smallgoods subsidiary of George Weston Foods will receive a $3 million grant to drive an expansion worth over $150 million. “George Weston Foods is already a major... ...Read more »

A pioneering business community initiative is on-track to achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from four of the Castelmaine’s largest businesses by 2010. CSIRO has discovered that smallgoods manufacturer, Don KRC, could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while doubling production capacity; a key finding that could be beneficial to food producers across the country. Cited as a case study in the Garnaut Climate Change Review, the Maine’s Power project partnered CSIRO, local... ...Read more »

Associated British Foods, the owner of George Weston Foods, has reported revenue growth of 19 per cent in the third quarter as the weak sterling and price increases make a positive impact. “The food businesses … benefited from the flow-through of price increases, most of which were achieved in the first half of last year, and some volume growth,” the company advised. “There was continued strong trading from Primark. Group revenue unadjusted for the impact of disposals was... ...Read more »

Australian food group Goodman Fielder has today announced an extension on their private label bread supply contract with Australia’s second largest supermarket chain – Coles. The news comes on the same day as they announce a new strategic direction. Coles deal The maker of Helga’s, Mighty Soft and Wonder White said that they had been awarded an extension for 12 months after completing negotiations with Coles. The deal covers the supply of white and grain loaf bread to Coles supermarkets... ...Read more »