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CCGD Appoints New Chairman
Alain Brisebois, vice-president wholesale operations at Metro
Inc., is the new chairman of the board at the Canadian Council of
Grocery Distributors. Brisebois succeeds A&P CEO Eric Claus.
Other CCGD executive board members include vice-chairman Randy Melnychenko
of H.Y. Louie Co. Limited; secretary-treasurer Bill McEwan, president
and CEO of Sobeys Inc.; president Nick Jennery; Alex Campbell, chair
of the board of Thrifty Foods; Geoff Wilson, vice-president, industry
& investor relations, Loblaw Companies Limited; and Robert Cloutier,
president and CEO, A. De La Chevrotiere Ltée. Norman Krivoshen,
vice-president, consumer products of Federated Co-operatives Limited
(FCL), who recently announced his retirement from FCL, also leaves
the CCGD board.
Louie Receives CCGD's Top Award
Brandt Louie, chairman of the board of H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd., has
been awarded the CCGD Award of Excellence. The award recognizes
an individual who through hard work and dedication has made a substantial
contribution to the advancement of the Canadian food distribution
industry. In May, Louie was re-elected to the Food Marketing Institute's
board of directors.
Promotions at Canada Safeway
Ron Pierce is the new vice-president, sales at Canada Safeway Limited.
Pierce, a long-time Safeway employee, joined the company in 1978
as a grocery buyer. Paul Malo has also been promoted and he is the
new vice-president, finance and CFO. Malo also joined the company
in 1978.
Executive Changes at Saputo
Montreal-based dairy processor Saputo Inc. has appointed Carmine
De Somma to head up its international operations as president and
COO. A long-time Saputo employee, De Somma has spent the last 16
years in the company, most recently in the role of senior vice-president,
international cheese sales and procurement.
New VP at Swiss Herbal Remedies
Lesley Gallinger is the new vice-president of finance, administration/human
resources and IT at Richmond Hill-Ont.-based Swiss Herbal Remedies
Limited.
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| In the News |
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Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards: And the Winners Are . .
.
The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors has announced
the winners of the 2003-2004 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.
The annual awards celebrate innovation, quality and exceptional
value in new products hitting the Canadian market and this year
winners were selected from a record 136 product finalists. Says
CCGD President Nick Jennery: "…while not all of them can
be Grand Prix winners—it is important that we recognize the important
investments in time, energy and resources that every entry represents."
British Columbia-based Sun-Rype Products Limited scored big this
year, scooping three awards including the coveted All-Canadian New
Grocery Product Award; the new Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation
New Product Award (created in conjunction with the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Canada's Health Check program); and the Grand Prix
for best new beverage for its Fruit & Veggie 100% Juice. Procter
& Gamble was also presented with a special Grand Prix for Originality
and Innovation for its Mr. Clean Magic Eraser; it also won in the
Cleaning Products category. For a complete list of winners click-on
the link below.
http://www.ccgd.ca/pdf/Press%20Release%20-%20Grand%20Prix%202003-04%20Winners.pdf
Canadian Company Grabs Two SIAL d'Or Awards
Its innovative Zero Trans Fat Cookies have earned Voortman Cookies
Ltd. two awards at the prestigious SIAL d'Or contest in Paris, France.
Burlington, Ont.-based Voortman won for having the best new product
in the confectionery, biscuits and bread category. Voortman's Zero
Trans Fat Cookies were also awarded a Canada SIAL d'Or for scoring
the most points of all Canadian entries. Although Voortman was the
only Canadian company to win, other Canadian entries from High Liner
Foods, Tayo Foods and Mountain Meadows Food Processing Ltd., came
second in their respective categories. The awards are organized
every second year by the Paris-based SIAL food and beverage show.
Kraft to Close Quebec Plant
As part of its global restructuring plan, Kraft Canada Inc. will
close a plant in LaSalle, Que., near Montreal, in 2005. The closure
will affect 235 jobs at the facility, which processes such products
as Maxwell House Coffee, Baker's chocolate and Dream Whip whipped
topping. The company says production of these products will be transferred
to other plants and third-party manufacturers. The move follows
the food giant's announcement earlier this year that it plans to
close up to 20 plants around the world and slash up to 6,000 jobs.
Jean Coutu Plans Stock Sale
Longueuil, Que.-based Jean Coutu Group Inc. is planning a $500-million
stock sale this week, according to a report in The Globe and
Mail. The report says that by selling stocks now, the drugstore
chain hopes to take advantage of its current high share price and
favourable investor reviews. Revenue generated by the sale will
help Coutu pay down debts incurred by its April purchase of 1,539
Eckerd drugstores from U.S. retailer J.C. Penney Co. for $2.38 billion.
The Eckerd purchase is expected to wrap up in July.
Van Houtte Perks Up Profits
Montreal-based coffee company Van Houtte's profits nearly doubled
in the fourth-quarter period ended April 3, 2004, with earnings
reaching $6.5 million (up from $3.4 million) a year ago. The company
also reported its earnings for the year climbed to $18.6 million,
compared to $14.7 million last year, and is projecting that its
earnings will swell another 10% to 15% in fiscal 2004-2005. Van
Houtte reported that its presence in Western Canada is increasing
rapidly and that it has plans to make a bigger dent in the large
Ontario market "where the greatest growth potential lies, both
in coffee, services and retail."
http://www.vanhoutte.com/en/Tools/news_item.asp?ID=40
Saputo's Profits Climb
Canada's largest dairy processor Saputo Inc. saw its profits soar
by 22% in the fiscal fourth quarter, reaching $58.1 million for
the period ended March 31, 2004. The Montreal-based food company
attributed its improved performance, in part, to strong sales in
the U.S.—where the average selling price per pound of cheese jumped
27% in the quarter—as well as the acquisition of a dairy in Argentina.
http://www.saputo.com/indexEn.asp
Former Atlas Execs Facing Securities Charges
After a nine-month investigation, the Ontario Securities Commission
(OSC) has slapped four former Atlas Cold Storage Income Trust executives
with quasi-criminal charges. The OSC alleges Patrick Gouveia, former
CEO; Andrew Peters, former CFO; Ronald Perryman, former finance
vice-president; and Paul Vickery, former controller and director
of business controls, "authorized, permitted or acquiesced
in the commission of an offence in relation to the filing of materially
misleading annual financial statements." The case will be heard
in court in July and it is believed the OSC will seek stiff fines—of
up to $5 million—and even jail time for the four former Atlas
execs. According to a report in the National Post Patrick
Gouveia's lawyer says his client is wrongly accused and that he
plans to "vigorously" defend himself. Although Atlas itself
hasn't been charged by the OSC, the company still faces a class
action lawsuit from investors seeking to recover heavy losses incurred
as a result of the accounting scandal.
http://www.osc.gov.on.ca/en/About/News/NewsReleases/2004/nr_20040604_osc-atlas-cold.htm
Loblaw Sets Up Shop in Kensington Market
Already causing a stir for its proposal to turn Toronto hockey
shrine Maple Leaf Gardens into a supercentre, Loblaw Companies Limited
is preparing to set up shop in the city's historic Kensington Market,
worrying the area's small business owners. The area will be the
new home of the 5,000-square-foot Zimmerman's Freshmart, part of
the Loblaw's chain. Although the Zimmerman family has done business
in the market for decades, its new larger-format store is causing
controversy in the area known for its small specialty shops. The
store is set to open at the end of June.
High Liner Sells Fish Plant
In keeping with its plan to get out of the fishing business and
concentrate on its core frozen food business, Lunenburg, N.S.-based
High Liner Foods Inc. is handing over ownership of its Arnold's
Cove, Nfld. fish processing plant and trawler to local management.
The plant, which employees about 375 people, will be sold to Icewater
Seafood Inc. for a nominal fee and will be headed up by former High
Liner exec Bruce Wareham. High Liner says it expects to the deal
to cost it a one-time after tax charge of $1.4 million. The facility
will continue to supply High Liner's Lunenburg, N.S. frozen fishing
plant.
http://www2.cdn-news.com/scripts/ccn-release.pl?/2004/06/09/0609065n.html?cp=hlf2
Canadian/U.S. Food Industries Call for U.S. to Implement Beef
Safety Rule
To ensure consumer safety and prevent further disruption in Canada-U.S.
trade, food groups on both sides of the border are imploring the
U.S. government to finalize and implement its beef safety rule.
In a recent statement, the Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers
of Canada (FCPMC) and the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA)
said the Canadian government has already adopted measures that would
allow the sale of low-risk beef and beef containing products to
resume and that the U.S. government has proposed adopting similar
measures. The groups say these steps, in addition to long-standing
risk-reduction measures by both governments have prompted BSE experts
to conclude that beef from the two countries is safe.
http://www.fcpmc.com/newsroom/releases/safety_security/060804.html
More Food Basics Planned in U.S.
MorningNewsBeat.com reports that Montvale, N.J.-based Great Atlantic
and Pacific Tea Company plans to convert up to 80 of its 400 supermarkets
in the United States to its discount Food Basics banner. The report
cited A&P senior vice-president and CFO Mitchell Goldstein as
saying the company has already been using the Food Basics value
format in Canada—where about half of its stores operate under
this banner—and at 25 U.S. locations. The conversions would
take place over the next several years.
Kraft to Use South Beach Diet Trademark
With cookie and cereal sales dropping, Kraft Foods Inc. is hoping
to use the popularity of the low-carb South Beach Diet to help bolster
its sagging sales. The Northfield, Ill.-based food giant has reached
a multi-year agreement with Dr. Arthur Agatston, creator of the
diet and best-selling book, to use the South Beach Diet trademark
on some of its foods. The South Beach Diet is touted as a modified
carb diet that advocates high-fibre, lean protein and healthy fats,
while shunning high-carb foods such as bread, rice, pastas and fruit.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
http://www.kraft.com/newsroom/06092004.html
Kimberly-Clark Gets Approval for Spinoff
U.S. tissue and wood products giant Kimberly-Clark Corp. has won
approval from its board to spin off its specialty paper and Canadian
pulp operations. The spinoff, which the company expects to wrap
up by year-end, would create a publicly traded company generating
about US$650 million in annual sales—less than 3% of Kimberly-Clark's
total business. The company says the move would reduce its role
in producing its own raw materials, allowing it to focus on consumer
products to improve its position in its more profitable core health
and hygiene businesses.
http://investor.kimberly-clark.com/news/20040608-136687.cfm?&t=n
Wal-Mart Aims to Improve Worker Conditions
Hit with a barrage of criticism, and lawsuits, for its alleged unfair
treatment of employees, Wal-Mart is taking steps to improve its
relationship with workers. At its annual general meeting recently
in Bentonville, Ark., the retail giant told shareholders and employees
it plans to ensure its "diversity goals" are met; if not,
top execs will see their bonuses slashed. Wal-Mart has been accused
of not paying employees overtime and for gender bias in its hiring
practices. CEO Lee Scott said the company is serious about addressing
the issue and has created a Compliance Office to ensure its rules
and procedures are followed and that improvements are made in how
employees are treated.
Ocean Spray Growers Reject PepsiCo Offer
The option to pursue a joint venture with PepsiCo was nixed by the
fruit grower-owners of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., who voted,
instead, to remain an independent co-operative. Fifty-two percent
of the growers said no to the proposed deal, which could have seen
Ocean Spray selling control of its branded business to the soft
drink giant. Ocean Spray says the decision "will bring to an
end a lengthy process undertaken by the board more than a year ago
to explore a full range of strategic options . . . all in the interest
of bolstering the Co-operative and the profitability of its grower
owners." With more than 900 fruit growers in the United States
and Canada, Massachusetts-based Ocean Spray is the world's largest
cranberry producer.
http://www.oceanspray.com/news/PressReleases/PressRelease65.asp
Consumers Believe Packaged Fruits and Veggies are Safer, Survey
Although consumers think loose fruits and vegetables are fresher
and of superior quality, they also believe pre-packaged produce
is a safer and more sanitary choice, according to a new report from
the U.S.-based Produce Marketing Association (PMA). The report,
Produce Packaging: Preferences and Buying Behavior, reveals
that 72% of shoppers surveyed said loose produce delivers consistently
better quality and taste, while 51% described packaged produce as
being more sanitary, and 41% described it as being safer as it isn't
"handled" as much in-store. The study also found that
consumers preferred smaller, flexible packages to larger, more rigid
containers and that package design was key in influencing produce
purchase decisions.
http://www.pma.com/Template.cfm?Section=News_Releases&CONTENTID=
4385&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm
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| Inside
Canadian Grocer |
May 2004
Check out Canadian
Grocer's May edition for:
- Bill McEwan—an exclusive interview with Sobeys' chief exec
- The Skinny on Low Carb—tips on how this emerging category can help fatten your bottom line
- The Shape of Things to Come—supermarket design guru Don Watt peers into the future
- The Innovators—money saving ideas from four grocers across the country
- The Tech Edge—a 12-page special section on what's new in supermarket equipment
- On the Road—what's new in minivans and sorting through option lists
- Your Cabinet—you need the skill of a maestro to make sure your department heads sing from the same hymnbook
- ShareGoods—a look at one way the consumer packaged goods industry and the Canadian Association of Food Banks is helping Canadians in need
- Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards finalists—Presenting the 136 finalists of 2003-2004
Plus our regular columns and departments—International
News, Coast to Coast, Buzz and more.
Subscribe
to Canadian Grocer magazine
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| Wish
You Were Here? |
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June 15-16: World Food Market Place 2004, Porte
de Versailles, Paris, France. Visit www.ethnicfoodshow.com.
June 16-17:
National Dollar Store Expo, Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas,
Nev. Contact Kristina Mullen at 1-800-859-9247 or e-mail mullen@bentleyintl.net.
June 16-18:
CIES World Food Business Summit 2004, Rome, Italy. Visit www.ciesnet.com.
June 19-22:
National Association of Chain Drug Stores 2004 Marketplace Conference,
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, Calif. Tel. 703-549-3001.
June 21-22:
Annual Coffee Association Annual Conference, Inn on the Park Hotel,
Toronto. Tel. 416-510-8032 or visit www.coffeeassoc.com.
June 22:
Canadian Nutrition Labelling Seminar, Toronto Botanical Gardens,
Garden Hall Auditorium, Toronto, Ont. E-mail seminars@package-graphics.com.
June 23:
IGD Global Retailing Conference, QEII Conference Centre, London,
U.K. Visit www.igd.com.
June 25:
CCGD/CPMC's Executive Breakfast featuring Eric Claus, Pres. and
CEO, The Great Atlantic and Pacific Co. of Canada Ltd. Doubletree
International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ont. Visit www.fcpmc.com
or e-mail heatherm@fcpmc.com.
June 27-29:
Canadian Food Brokers Association, Annual Conference 2004, Le Grand
Lodge, Mont-Tremblant, Que. Tel. 905-477-4644, or e-mail cfba@rogers.com.
June 27-29:
NASFT Summer Fancy Food &Confection Show, Jacob K. Javits Convention
Center, New York. Tel. 212-482-6440, or visit www.fancyfoodshows.com.
July 12-23:
The 2004 Cornell Food Executive Program, Cornell University, Ithaca,
N.Y. Tel. 607-255-5024 or visit http://fimp.aem.cornell.edu.
July 13-16:
Institute of Food Technologists' Annual Meeting and Food Expo, Las
Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. Visit http://exposales.ift.org/index.html.
July 15:
Mondo Broker's 1st Annual New Product Showcase, Toronto Board of
Trade, Toronto, Ont. Tel. Michael Ricciardi at 416-418-3124.
July 17-18:
Low Carb Products Expo, Tropicana Convention Center, Las Vegas,
Nev. Tel. 1-800-859-9247 or 702-893-9090.
August 8-12:
Canadian Gift & Tableware Association Fall Gift Show, Toronto
International Centre and Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont.
Visit www.cgta.org.
August 8-12:
International Association for Food Protection, 91st Annual Meeting,
Phoenix, Ariz. Tel. 1-800-369-6337 or visit www.foodprotection.org.
August 15-18:
International Baking Industry Expo 2004, Las Vegas, Nev. Visit www.bakingexpo.org.
September
9-12: SANA's 16th International Exhibition of Natural Products,
Bologna, Italy. E-mail info@sana.it
or visit www.sana.it.
September10-12:
20th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair, York Quay Centre, Harbourfront
Centre, Toronto, Ont. Tel. 416-544-8891 or visit www.veg.ca/foodfair.
September
14-15: Anuga Chilled Food 2004, congress trade fair, Cologne,
Germany. Visit www.anuga.com.
September
15-16: 13th Annual Canadian Tea Industry Fall Conference, Pillar
& Post Inn and Conference Centre, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
Visit www.tea.ca
or e-mail info@tea.ca.
September
15-16: ServSafe for the Food Industry, Food Service and Retail,
Guelph Food Technology Centre, Guelph, Ont. Visit www.gftc.ca.
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Want to Hear from You |
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Do
you have something to say about an article we wrote? Do you have
an opinion about an important industry issue? We want to know! Please
send us your comments, questions, gripes and suggestions. We may
publish your letter to the editor in an upcoming issue.
Contact Canadian
Grocer:
Shellee Fitzgerald, Staff Writer: shellee.fitzgerald@canadiangrocer.rogers.com
Mailing Address:
Canadian Grocer
One Mount Pleasant Road, 7th Floor,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4Y 2Y5
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