Industry News

Nestlé will explore strategic options for its US confectionery business, including a potential sale. The review covers the US market only and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Glencoe Capital Management, LLC acquired Urbana, Ohio-based Robert Rothschild Farm, a specialty food producer for more than 30 years, specializing in gourmet sauces, dips and spreads. Glencoe will combine the company with Cincinnati-based Clearbrook Farms, a premium fruit-based food manufacturer acquired in 2016.

Campbell Soup Company announced it will acquire organic foods company Pacific Foods of Oregon for $700 million.

Dean Foods is acquiring Uncle Matt’s Organic, which produces organic juices and fruit waters.

The California League of Food Processors changed its name to the California League of Food Producers (CLFP). This change reflects the CLFP board of directors’ desire for a new name that better represents the industry it serves.

Meyer Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of vibratory conveying, bulk material handling and food processing equipment, has been acquired by Precision, Inc., an international employee-owned industry conveyor, pulley and idler manufacturer based in Pella, Iowa.

Kraft Food Ingredients has rebranded itself as Kraft Heinz Ingredients.

West Liberty Foods, one of the largest turkey processors in the US, has won a Manufacturing Leadership Award in Enterprise Technology Leadership from the Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership Council. As the technology that powers West Liberty Food’s lean manufacturing system, Leading2Lean was also recognized for its role in enabling the food processor’s project.

Lycored, a global carotenoid supplier, is selling its nutrient premix business to US food ingredients supplier Prinova.

tna, a supplier of food processing and packaging solutions, has opened a new office in Toyko, Japan.

People News

Hostess Brands, Inc. promoted Andrew (Andy) W. Jacobs to executive vice president and chief commercial officer, leading all commercial activities for the company. Jacobs was senior vice president and chief customer office at Hostess Brands, and prior to that, he served as senior vice president of strategic channels for the company.

Campbell Soup Company announced the appointments of Bob Furbee, senior vice president, and senior vice president of global supply chain; Jim Sterbenz, senior vice president, US sales; and Emily Waldorf, vice president of corporate strategy to Campbell’s leadership team.

Bill Wierenga has joined Reading Bakery Systems, a snack production systems manufacturer, as engineering research and development manager.

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. appointed Robert B. Aiken, Jr. as president and chief operating officer of TreeHouse. Aiken is taking over for Dennis F. Riordan, who will move to a senior advisor role.

Naturipe Farms announced the appointment of CarrieAnn Arias to vice president of marketing.

W.M. Sprinkman Corporation, a provider of sanitary stainless steel processing solutions for the food and beverage, dairy and craft brewing industries, hired James Dieck as a design engineer and Nathan Vander Pas as a process engineer.

Dur-A-Flex, Inc., a manufacturer of commercial, industrial and institutional seamless, resinous floor and wall systems, hired Trevor Evans as territory sales manager for the Northwest US region.

Pretium Packaging, a North American manufacturer of plastic containers and closures, hired Mark Howell as senior vice president of sales and marketing.