Gourmet News

ReposiTrak Adds 50 Suppliers to Its Traceability Network

Published January 2, 2025

ReposiTrak, the world’s largest food traceability and regulatory compliance network, leveraging its established inventory management and out-of-stock reduction SaaS platform, is preparing to welcome 50 new dairy and dairy-alternative suppliers into the queue for the ReposiTrak Traceability Network. These new members will efficiently exchange intricate, FDA-required Key Data Elements for each Critical Tracking Event in their supply chains, ensuring proactive compliance well before the January 2026 deadline.

Among the 50 new suppliers are 3 standout members with a rich history. One is a Wisconsin-based, family-owned cheesemaker founded more than a century ago, now recognized as one of the nation’s top premium cheese and whey products makers. Another is a U.S.-based cooperative founded in 1938, consisting of 600 farm families and 7,000 associates. With award-winning milk, cheese, and other dairy products, it serves 30% of the U.S. market while emphasizing sustainable dairy practices. The third is a Swedish pioneer in plant-based alternatives, with its oat-based products available internationally.

“ReposiTrak’s network, the largest operational traceability network, is helping dairy and plant-based suppliers achieve seamless compliance with FDA regulations and retailer traceability requirements,” said Randy Fields, chairman and CEO of ReposiTrak. “By joining the network, these suppliers can efficiently share traceability data with an unlimited number of in-network customers, all without the need for additional hardware or software.”

The ReposiTrak Traceability Network requires no additional hardware or software and the ReposiTrak team assists in making the connections needed under the new regulation. Suppliers can connect to an unlimited number of trading partners and share data for a low, flat fee.

ReposiTrak provides retailers, suppliers, food manufacturers and wholesalers with a robust solution suite to help reduce risk and remain in compliance with regulatory requirements, enhance operational controls and increase sales with unrivaled brand protection. Consisting of three product families – food traceability, compliance and risk management and supply chain solutions – ReposiTrak’s integrated, cloud-based applications are supported by an unparalleled team of experts. For more information, please visit https://repositrak.com

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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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Southern Glazer’s Acquires Horizon Beverage Group

Published December 30, 2024

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits—the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol—today announced the successful closing of its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors, including all of Horizon’s operations and wine, spirits and beer portfolio. Effective immediately, Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will operate under the name Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company.

The acquisition marks an exciting expansion for Southern Glazer’s, adding Massachusetts and Rhode Island as the 46th and 47th markets in its U.S. footprint, alongside operations in Canada and the Caribbean.

“With this acquisition, we’re combining Horizon’s deep regional expertise with Southern Glazer’s advanced technology and robust resources,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “We are excited to bring customers and suppliers enhanced tools, data insights, and service offerings that position us to meet and exceed their needs in these vital markets.”

Both Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets will operate as part of Southern Glazer’s East Region, led by Scott Oppenheimer, East Region president.

“We are grateful to Horizon’s employees, customers, and partners for so many years of success, and this transition represents an even brighter future for all,” said Bob Epstein. “We’re confident that Southern Glazer’s strength and scale will not only support a smooth integration, but also create new opportunities for growth and success.”

“We’re committed to maintaining the exceptional service that Horizon is known for while bringing the added benefits of being part of the Southern Glazer’s family,” added Jim Rubenstein. “This partnership ensures stability and growth for all stakeholders and strengthens our ability to deliver value across the board.”

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.

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