Channel Business

AAK Completes Divestment of NJ Foodservice Facility

Published January 2, 2025

On Oct. 23, AAK announced an agreement to divest its foodservice facility located in Hillside, N.J. The transaction was finalized on Dec. 31, resulting in a one-time positive cash flow impact of approximately $600 million Swedish krona in the fourth quarter of 2024. The divestment is not anticipated to have a material effect on the company’s profit and loss statement.

In 2024, the Hillside facility represented about 5 percent of AAK’s total volumes and approximately 1 percent of its operating profit. As a result, the divestment is expected to increase the group’s operating profit per kilo by approximately 4 percent, assuming no other changes.

On Oct. 23, the same day the divestment of Hillside was announced, AAK also outlined plans to invest in a new facility to replace its existing foodservice site in Dalby, Sweden. While the plans are still being finalized, the company confirmed that the new site is expected to be located in Staffanstorp, representing a significant step in itss efforts to strengthen and future-proof foodservice operations across Europe.

AAK specializes in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in the products people love to consume. At the heart of AAK’s offering is Customer Co-Development, combining a desire to understand what better means for each customer with the unique flexibility of our production assets and deep knowledge across products and industries.

AAK’s 4,200 employees support its close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers and support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen for more than 150 years.

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HelloFresh Introduces Ready Made Meals

Published December 27, 2024

Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit company, is introducing wholesome new offerings for home cooks who want easy, homemade meals with little to no prep–especially on their busiest days. Whether choosing from a delicious meal ready in three minutes with no cooking required, or a simplified recipe that involves just five minutes of prep and minimal cleanup, getting a nutritious, quality meal on the table has never been easier or more convenient.

For those who want a flavorful, chef-crafted meal fast, the heat-and-eat Ready Made Meals are the perfect addition to mealtime. Ready in just three minutes, this new offering is the fastest way to get a nutritious meal on the table and is the ideal option for those who are on-the-go, or for nights when time isn’t on their side. From hearty classics, like Beef Bolognese and the Southwest-Style Chicken Bowl, to globally inspired recipes, like Butter Chicken and Udon Stir-Fry, Ready Made Meals can make eating well a breeze for home cooks who prioritize convenience without wanting to sacrifice quality.

“Ready Made Meals are an essential and exciting new way we are bringing nutritious, convenient mealtime options to our HelloFresh customers in the New Year,” said Kristin Bryan, senior director of culinary innovation at HelloFresh. “Whether navigating a packed workday or balancing family commitments, these meals were developed to be the perfect solution to staying nourished without compromising on quality, offering a delicious, home-cooked meal in minutes.”

For the home cook looking for virtually no prep time in the kitchen, Prep & Bake Meals are a new offering that simplifies mealtime by providing fresh ingredients that come pre-chopped and require only five minutes or less of preparation. Featuring delicious recipes like Onion Crunch Chicken and a Creamy Mushroom Ravioli Bake, the menu will include three Prep and Bake Meals to choose from each week for HelloFresh customers. Prep and Bake Meals are designed to deliver the ease and satisfaction of a wholesome, home-cooked meal without the hassle of cleanup that usually comes with it.

New 15-Min Meals, like Chicken Gyoza Salad and Cilantro Beef Burrito Bowl, provide fresh, flavorful dinners from fridge to plate in just 15 minutes or less. Designed as quick, three-step recipes that require minimal prep and cleanup, these quick yet delicious meals offer a home cooked meal in about the time.

This New Year, HelloFresh makes it easy to eat well with quick home-cooked meals that present a better alternative to options like takeout, frozen, or heavily processed meals. With a focus on simplifying mealtime to support a more balanced lifestyle, HelloFresh customers can start their year stress-free by spending less time worrying about what’s for dinner and more time enjoying a delicious meal with the people they love.

To sign up for HelloFresh and learn more about the wholesome new offerings, visit www.hellofresh.com.

HelloFresh is the world’s leading meal-kit company, providing customers with fresh, high-quality ingredients to cook delicious meals at home. By delivering pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes directly to customers’ doors, HelloFresh helps busy individuals and families enjoy home-cooked meals without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. HelloFresh was voted the Most Trusted Meal Kit Delivery Service in America from 2021 through 2023 by Newsweek. For more information, visit www.hellofresh.com or follow HelloFresh on Facebook, X, Instagram, or TikTok.

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Potandon’s CEO Retires, Fresh Direct Ex-CEO Steps In

Published December 27, 2024

Potandon Produce, one of the largest providers of fresh potatoes in North America and global leader within the world’s top three food crops, has announced that Mel Davenport, the company’s chief executive pfficer, will retire after 30+ years of service marked by the launch of Klondike Goldust and Klondike Rose potatoes and the CarbSmart line. Succeeding him as CEO will be David Lawrence, former CEO of Fresh Direct, effective immediately.

Over the past nearly three decades, Davenport has helped guide the company through significant growth and innovation in the fresh produce market. Under his leadership, Potandon strengthened its market position, continued the expansion of its Green Giant Fresh products, expanded its product offerings, and fostered a culture of excellence and sustainability.

“Mel’s well-deserved retirement marks the culmination of a career,” said Jeff Sholl, founder and managing member of Potandon. “As a key member of Potandon’s senior management team, Mel has been a cornerstone of our business since its inception and his leadership has been pivotal to the company’s position today. As we celebrate Mel’s contributions, we also look forward to an exciting new chapter under the leadership of David Lawrence, whose vision and expertise will guide Potandon toward continued growth and success.”

Lawrence brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership in the fresh food and logistics industries. During his tenure at Fresh Direct, Lawrence spearheaded initiatives that enhanced customer experience, streamlined operations, and drove significant business growth. His deep understanding of consumer needs and his commitment to innovation align seamlessly with Potandon’s vision for the future. Prior to that, Lawrence served as the President of Taylor Farms Northwest, LLC, CEO of National Pecan, LLC, and President of C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Company. With a track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and innovation, Lawrence is well-positioned to lead Potandon Produce into its next chapter.

“I am looking forward to joining Potandon Produce and building upon the strong foundation established by Mel and the team,” said Lawrence. “At a time when consumers are more focused on functional foods, health and nutrition than ever, I’m proud to join a company that understands these evolving needs and is committed to delivering unique varieties and such a huge consumer footprint for providing nutritious, high-quality produce to meet them.”

Potandon Produce is an ag-tech and food-tech leader, and one of the largest providers of fresh table stock potatoes in the nation and also a leading provider of fresh onions. Its product line includes Minute Mashers™, ONE STEP… DONE!, and classic russet, yellow, red, and white potatoes. The company’s unique vertical integration has led to a state-of-the-art variety development program for unique potato varieties, conventional and sweet onions, and many others within the world’s top 3 food crops, and that looks ten years down the road to develop potatoes for future shoppers based on extensive consumer research.

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