Industry News

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group, a provider of rigid plastic film and packaging solutions, is acquiring LINPAC Senior Holdings Limited, a film producer and converter for food packaging in Europe.

Atkins Nutritionals has been acquired by Conyers Park Acquisition Corp. in a deal valued at approximately $856 million. They will merge into a new holding company known as Simply Good Foods.

Cerelia SA acquired English Bay Batter Co., a manufacturer of baked goods for retail and foodservice channels in the US and Canada.

Carl Buddig and Co. will acquire Rupari Food Services, a producer of branded and private-label barbequed meats.

IDEC Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial automation and control devices, has acquired APEM, creating one of the world’s largest manufacturers of human machine interface (HMI) components, panels and systems.

ABB has acquired B&R, the largest independent provider focused on product- and software-based, open-architecture solutions for machine and factory automation worldwide.

SencorpWhite, a provider of customized, end-to-end solutions for automated packaging and AS/RS systems, plans to acquire Intek Integration Technologies Inc., a company specializing in software that helps manufacturers and distributors better manage their warehouses, inventory levels and supply chains.

Arizona Polymer Flooring (APF), a manufacturer of high-performance flooring products and concrete coating systems, has relocated into a 50,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Phoenix.

Endress+Hauser has acquired SensAction AG, a manufacturer of systems for measuring the concentration of liquids.

Oracle Packaging, a provider of flexible packaging solutions, has introduced a new extrusion line to its North Carolina manufacturing facility.

tna has acquired Australian confectionery equipment supplier NID Pty Ltd., a developer of starch molding equipment.


People News

Paul Bulcke was elected as chairman of the Nestlé board of directors. Ulf Mark Schneider and Ursula M. Burns were elected as new members of the board, and Peter Brabeck-Letmathe was appointed as chairman emeritus.

SpartanNash has promoted Mike Pahud to chief operating officer of Caito Foods.

Ty Gent has been named chief supply chain officer for US Foods Holding Corp. Prior to this, he was senior vice president of operations for PepsiCo Central and South America regions.

Lucas Hendrikse has been named as the new CEO at Crisp Sensation. Hendrikse was formerly senior vice president of food ingredients at DSM.

Clean Planet Foods, a producer of all-natural protein products has named Shawn D. Spencer as president.

Maya Kaimal Fine Indian Foods, a specialty food company, has named Meena R. Mansharamani as its CEO.

Gary Lowden has been appointed southeast regional sales manager for Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc.

Vulcan, the leading provider of commercial cooking equipment, and parent company ITW Food Equipment Group have named Mihyar Mohamed as vice president and general manager of North American Cooking. Mohamed’s appointment was made after Tim Murray announced he would retire at the end of May as the vice president and general manager of Vulcan Foodservice.

Teton Waters Ranch (TWR), a Denver-based producer of sausages, frankfurters and chili from 100 percent grass-fed beef, has named Walt Freese as its new CEO. Jeff Russell, who founded the company in Teton Valley, ID in 2009, will continue in his role as founder.