NEWS


NEWS BRIEFS


New appointments


The Board of Macfarlane Group PLC (“Macfarlane”) has announced the appointments of Mike Arrowsmith and Stuart Paterson as non-executive Directors. They will join the Board with effect from 26 September 2012 and 1 January 2013 respectively. Stuart will also chair the Audit Committee with effect from 1 January 2013. These appointments are expected to add significant relevant experience and strength to the Board of Macfarlane.


Proftis drop at WilliamGrant


The scotch distiller,William Grant & Sons, maker of Glenfiddich has seen operating profits slip from £132.4m in 2010 to £126.3m last year. Despite this sales of Glenfiddich single malt are up, reaching one million cases.


Global rise in dairy prices


Global dairy prices are on the up, rising 7 per cent between the months of August and September. This is the steepest monthly increase since that of January 2011. Industry experts had previously predicted that dairy prices would experience a dramatic rise.


Flintoft scoops industry award


Engineer Mark Flintoft, from Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire, has been named as the brightest up-and-coming young talent in the processing and packaging industry after winning the PPMAʼs annual Ones toWatch competition. Mark, 26, a Technical Manager at Quasar Automation, won after the judges singled out his versatility and commitment. Returning for the second time following last yearʼs success, the ʻOnes toWatchʼ competition recognises the contributions of processing and packaging professionals under the age of 35 who have worked in the industry for at least four years.


Phase two


Proposal puts 161 jobs at risk


Dairy Crest has announced that it intends to close its site at Crudgington in Shropshire within the next 18 to 24months, putting up to 161 jobs at risk. The company says that


Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has completed the second phase of its campaign to raise awareness of the potential impact of plain packaging proposals. This phase of the campaign


was focused on howthe illicit trade could thrive, howsmall businesses could be affected by yetmore ineffective regulation and the potential impact on the economy at both a local and national level. The timing of the campaign


(September 30th – 10th October) coincidedwith the political party conference season,where the economy and business dominated the agenda. Martin Southgate,Managing


Director UK for JTI, commented at the launch of phase two: “The Government has said that it is looking to small andmedium sized businesses to lead us out of the recession, however the plain packaging proposals threaten those same businesses at a time when they aremost vulnerable. “Tobacco is a key driver of


turnover and footfall for community stores. Our campaign will therefore focus on explaining the issues, howthe illegal trade in tobacco products is already affecting retailers, and howit could getworse”.


Brazil in top three exporters


Brazil's exports of agribusiness, food and beverage products grew by 28.98 per cent in 2011, compared to the previous year, and resulted in revenues of US$ 76.9 billion. Of this total, US$ 45.35 billion came from the sales of processed food and


beverage products. According to figures from the


GTIS (Global Trade International System), these results ensured third place for Brazil in the global pecking order of countries exporting these products. In 2010, the country


was ranked fifth. GTIS figures also show that,


between 2007 and 2011, Brazilian exports of agribusiness, food and beverage products enjoyed the highest rate amongst the top five exporters of these products in the world


FMCGNews.co.uk | FMCG News | 7


following a review of its UK spreadsmanufacturing operations, it proposes to consolidate themanufacture of all retail butters and spreads at its existing site in Kirkby, Liverpool and to increase bulk butter production at its Severnside creamery in Gloucestershire. The company also proposes


to transfer its technical development centre from Crudgington to Kirkby. Dairy Crest say overall job losses will be offset by the creation of around 50 extra jobs at Kirkby and another 20 at Severnside. The company has just completed


the transfer ofClover production fromCrudgington to Kirby, a decision announced last yearwhich led to around 90 job losses. Speaking on Friday September 21st, Paul Taylor, Usdaw Area


Organiser said: “Today’s decision, while still a shock for members, won’t really have come as a surprise to them. Both Crudgington and Kirkby have been operating under capacity and ever since the review started a couple of years ago, we’ve been aware the company might seek to consolidate spreads manufacturing on just one site. We have feared the worst for Crudgington ever since the announcement to transfer Clover production was made. “Despite this, I have been on


site today and the news has really demoralised everyone.Many employees and indeedmembers of their families have worked at the site for years. There is a real pride and loyalty in the workforce that the company will never be able to replace. “We will examine the


company’s business case for the proposal in detail and do all we can to try and save jobs at the site, but in the circumstances it is likely to prove very difficult.”


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