NEWS ROUND UP
Mars completes acquisition of Hotel Chocolat
Mars Corporation has successfully finalised the acquisition of Hotel Chocolat, premium chocolate brand based in the U.K. The agreement, initially disclosed in November 2023, has now cleared all necessary shareholder and regulatory hurdles.
This strategic move bolsters
Mars’ diverse portfolio by integrating Hotel Chocolat’s esteemed brand, renowned for its premium quality and extensive retail expertise across various channels. With this acquisition, Mars aims to propel Hotel Chocolat into its next
phase of growth, both within the U.K. market and potentially expanding into new territories. Andrew Clarke, Global President of Mars Snacking, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Hotel Chocolat into the Mars stable of brands. Hotel Chocolat is a brand we have admired for many years, with its leading premium product offering,
Kerry Group navigates market challenges with solid fiscal performance
In a year marked by economic uncertainties and fluctuating consumer behaviours, Kerry Group reported revenues of €8,020 million, reflecting a modest decrease of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, the company demonstrated strength in its core Taste & Nutrition business, with a notable volume growth of 1.1%. The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at €1,165 million, showcasing organic profit growth that was partly offset by the impact of disposals and currency translation effects. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) experienced a slight increase of 1.2% in constant currency, underlining Kerry Group’s ability to navigate challenging market conditions while delivering value to shareholders.
Amidst market volatility, Kerry
KennedysConfection.com
Group remained committed to its strategic priorities, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and portfolio enhancements. The company’s investments in research and development, coupled with strategic acquisitions and divestments, have strengthened its market position and expanded its global footprint. Kerry Group’s acquisition of Proexcar in Latin America and Greatang in China bolstered its capabilities in key growth markets, while the divestment of its Sweet Ingredients Portfolio underscored its commitment to focusing on core taste and nutrition solutions. Additionally, the company made significant strides in its sustainability efforts, achieving notable reductions in carbon emissions and food waste, and expanding its nutritional reach to 1.25 billion consumers globally.
Kennedy’s Confection February 2024 7
world-class quality and deep omnichannel retail expertise. We are incredibly excited to partner with Angus and the rest of the Hotel Chocolat
team to achieve further growth and success in the years ahead, building on our shared commitment to quality, sustainability and purpose.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
