Frozen bread product supplier Lantmännen Unibake (LU) has bought UK bakery Eurobuns.

The National Skills Academy (NSA) for Food and Drink has accredited its first three bakery specialist training providers.

This year’s annual British Sandwich Industry Awards are taking place on 15 May at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Grahams Home Bakery in Dromore, Co Down, has signed a lucrative deal to supply cake and bun lines to 10 Sainsbury’s stores in Northern Ireland.

Country Style Foods was one of the winners of a Good Egg 2008 award, announced at a London ceremony on 29 April. The awards recognise companies that make a difference to the welfare of hens by switching to free-range.

Bakery supplier Tindale & Stanton has gone into administration.

Patisserie Valerie is to franchise its offering to overseas markets following a deal that has established a franchise agent in the Middle East.

Irwins bakery is sponsoring Gaelic football tournament St Gall's May Day Invitational on May 5.

Warburtons is opening a depot in Paddock Wood, Kent.

Craft bakers around the country are gearing up for National Doughnut Week from 10-17 May with a host of exciting ideas to help raise funds for the event’s chosen charity The Children’s Trust.

Coca-Cola’s first-quarter sales and profits show an increase on the same period last year.

Linx Printing Technologies has launched a new model of continuous inkjet printer, which is capable of reducing solvent usage by up to 40% and delivering additional cost of ownership savings.

Allen Coding Systems has launched a low-cost, thermal transfer printer specifically designed for food industry users of traditional hot stamp equipment. The 53LTi enables customers to upgrade to a more versatile system that easily prints vital fixed and variable text and graphics.

Husky Group has launched the IcePod 2 Modular display freezer or chiller combination, which has three separate stackable pods.

We wish to make it clear that in the report in our issue of 4th April about the use by Hollands Craft Bakery of flour from Poland we did not mean to suggest that this flour was in any way inferior in quality to that produced by UK mills and regret any inference to the contrary.

Positive ID labelling has developed a new multi-purpose label that can both carry printed data and indicate when pre-packed foods have achieved the correct temperature. The label is printed with a special ink strip that remains invisible until it changes to black at the specified temperature, ensuring the food has been properly heated. The change is permanent and irreversible.

Ultrasonic cutting machine manufacturer Döinghaus, from Germany, has launched a cutter designed to cut slab products in or out of trays. It will cut triangles and portion round cakes. The unit incorporates a positioning device for accurate product placement and also has an integral cleaning system which uses UV light to kill bacteria.

Barbel Quattro has developed a vegetable preparation machine, which can process up to 30kg of vegetables or fruit an hour.

Hoshizaki has introduced the super-compact DSM 12 ice dispenser, for use when only relatively low volume is required or when usage is occasional.

Warewashing company Meiko UK has taken the first step in implementing a carbon offset programme for every road, air and freight mile undertaken on behalf of the company. Several of the firm's energy, chemical and sustainable kitchen food waste products will automatically qualify for 'footprint points' that convert into pounds for the Meiko UK Carbon Offset Fund. At the end of the year, proceeds from the fund will be distributed to a number of organisations that actively contribute to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere, whether in support of replacing non-renewable fuel projects, forest restoration or energy efficiency.

Gilberts Food Equipment has launched the Nemco Easy Tomato Slicer 11, which can slice tomatoes and onions to a uniform size within seconds for burgers, buffets, salads or sandwiches.

Tyrrell's Potato Chips has launched a seasonal variety - Garden Herbs. The launch blends four classic herbs - basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano - to give "delicately balanced yet flavoursome" crisps.

Visitors to the Baking Industry Exhibition 2008 (BIE) not only had access to 120 exhibitors, but could also take advantage of a range of innovative features.

Gates boost for wheat

Award-winning Northern Ireland bakery Knotts has made inroads south of the border by securing a contract to supply its range of premium, quality "pound" cakes to Donnybrook Fair, a major retailer in Dublin.

Carr's Milling Industries, the Cumbrian-based agriculture, food and engineering firm, has seen a 45% rise in half-year profits.

The Real Good Food Company (RGFC) achieved increased sales last year, but profits suffered as a result of soaring commodity prices, with a decline in its bakery ingredients division from £5.6 million to £4m, according to its end-of-year results.

BB's juicy deal

Scottish bakers Aulds is consulting with its 150 employees at its Greenock factory about a possible move to a new manufacturing facility 16 miles away in Inchinnan, as its current plant is outdated.

Instant coffee from traditional vending machines or via the kettle is increasingly becoming a thing of the past, as consumption of higher-quality coffee in the workplace booms, fuelling value growth of the market, according to new research.

Improve changes NI apprenticeship

Bakers across the UK have been signing up for this year's National Doughnut Week and are urging others to take part with ideas on how to maximise sales.

First Quality Foods has sold its couscous packing division to concentrate on its core cereal bar and cake bakery business.

Sayers Bakery in Liverpool has begun talks with union officials over 150 redundancies, as it carries out an operational review which it said was "triggered by the worldwide escalation of raw materials and soaring energy and fuel costs".

for Northern Ireland have put Allied Bakeries Ireland (ABI) as Belfast's top-selling bakery, showing that the company controls the top two bread brands in the province.

Leading figures from across the baking industry are being invited to join a representative steering group to push forward plans for a new National Skills Academy for Bakery, following a successful skills summit at the Baking Industry Exhibition last week.

Tesco profits soar

Exhibitors and visitors alike expressed satisfaction over the Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE), which took place at Birmingham NEC on 6-9 April. Many standholders have already signed for the next show, which will take place in two years' time.

Franchised sandwich bar chain O'Briens will open three new cafés in Scotland this spring.

UK bake-off and food-to-go giant Country Choice is planning to take on rival Cuisine de France (CDF) on its own turf, by entering the Northern Irish market, which the latter dominates.

Bradford-based Harden Fine Foods, which supplies mini-bite flapjacks, brownies and cakes to in-store bakeries in supermarkets as well as restaurants and coffee shops, has been bought by CSM NV for £6.4 million. The Netherlands-based firm already owns BakeMark UK and Kate’s Cakes.

The Finsbury Food Group has strengthened its operations in the ‘free-from’ gluten market with the £8.9 million acquisition of Yorkshire Farm Bakery (YFB) and A&P Foods.

One of the most well-respected figures in the Northern Ireland baking industry has retired after 37 years. Mervyn Hempton, operations manager at Allied Bakeries Ireland, worked hard to build the Belfast-based company with his younger brother, Alan.

Creditors of the Fabulous Bakin' Boys Manufacturing (FBBM) are still in limbo, waiting to see if they will get any of the money owed from the collapsed firm.

Sandwich bar and coffee chain O'Briens plans to open a further 15 franchise units by the end of this year, with a focus on north- east England and the Midlands.

France tops the world

has launched a fruit flapjack into shops across north-west England to raise money for its 2008 Local Hero campaign. For each flapjack sold, Greenhalgh's will give 5p to a fund that will help several charities in the region. The first of these charities, The Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, helped get Greenhalgh's campaign under way, outside its Bank Street shop, Warrington.

The £90 million rebuilding of Tameside College will herald an exciting period of growth for the bakery department, with more students, even better equipment and closer links with schools and employers, said head of food and hospitality studies Chris Massey.

Q What is Doughnut Week?

A Sussex bakery has launched a new 'Text your lunch' service. Customers text the bakery, which then calls them back and takes their lunch order by phone, so that it can be prepared for collection.

Costa Coffee is to source its entire coffee supply from sustainable farms.

From September 2008, at least 30% of the coffee used in Costa’s Mocha Italia blend – which forms the base of its coffee drinks – will come from Rainforest Alliance certified sources. It will then gradually work towards a 100% sustainable sourcing policy.

Greggs has appointed Ken McMeikan – currently retail director at Sainsbury’s – to be chief executive of the group. He will join the board of the bakery giant on June 1.

Bread basket recovery firm Bakers Basco says it will investigate any complaints about its workers' conduct.

Support for charity

Select Bag Sealers (SBS), which manufactures and supplies tape bag sealers, has launched the high-speed Flexi-Sealer. The sealer can cater for different product widths and incorporates a no-seal detector which, when coupled with the standard tape run-out detector, ensures that any potentially unsealed products, due to bagger misfeeds, are caught.

Robot Coupe has introduced an R-Mix function as standard on a number of the machines in its vertical cutter mixer range. R-Mix - meaning reverse-mixing - makes it possible to add delicate foodstuffs such as chopped dried fruit or chocolate pieces to a processed mix such as dough, while keeping them whole.

For kitchens where space is at a premium, refrigeration specialist Katermart has launched a durable, slim-fit counter refrigerator for salad and cold food preparation.

Marco Beverage Systems has added self-service coffee brewers to its range. The machines can be operated on one side by customers and by staff from the other side.

Fresh Shakes supplier Dinkum Products has ditched polystyrene cups for paper. The branded cups, lids and straws are supplied free with each 1.8kg tub of Fresh Shakes thick milkshakes. Director Ken Richards said paper cups have a better image with customers. Dinkum is offering free, no obligation, demonstrations anywhere in the UK of any or all of their concepts. To book your demonstration contact Dinkum direct on 0121 245 1945 or through its website.

Emmi has launched a Caffè Latte in a plastic cup with a resealable lid designed for sale at both cafés and shops.

Café Bar has launched an Italian-manufactured espresso unit, CMA-Planet. The classic-looking espresso machine is available in a range of configurations to suit a variety of businesses. The machine is available in single, double, triple or quad-brew versions and the operator can choose between automatic and semi-automatic modes. Semi-automatic systems function via a stop/start switch, which begins the brewing process. Once coffee extraction is complete the process is stopped manually.

A new English mineral water brand is aimed at ethically-conscious consumers. Iceni Water is bottled at source in Duxford, Cambridgeshire.

Aimia Foods has launched a new range of Slazenger S1 'hypotonic' sports drinks in Orange and Mixed Berry flavours.

Lucozade Sport will be supported with an £8 million TV and press campaign this year.

'Better for you' choices emerged as the biggest growth area in soft drinks retail last year, according to the latest research, as bakers were urged to diversify their drinks offering, reports Andrew Williams.

Despite widespread press coverage about rocketing wheat prices, day-to-day pricing has been much more volatile, says Savage, who is not surprised by the Homegrown Cereals Authority's latest statistics.

Bakers in Gaza went on strike last week after the ruling Hamas organisation refused to let them put up bread prices to cope with a shortage of goods, resulting from restrictions imposed by Israel. A 3kg bag of pitta bread sells for $2.30 and bakeries want to increase it to $2.50. The price in the West Bank is as high as $4.20. Osama al-Duleimi, a partner in a Gaza bakery, told Business Week that he had lost $15,000 of his own money trying to stop the business going bust.

Heinz Foodservice is targeting four key categories of consumers after identifying massive untapped potential in the breakfast market, with research showing that 52% of people had not eaten breakfast out-of-home in the last three months.

As part of the British Sandwich Association's annual industry awards, I have had the dubious honour of sampling some 45 new sandwiches and 40 new ingredients that have been launched into the market over the last 12 months.

Northern Foods' bakery division showed "encouraging signs of recovery", with fourth quarter underlying revenue up 1.1%, according to the company's latest trading update.

Compass points to positive cost control

Uniq, the European convenience foods group, returned to profitability in the UK, according to preliminary company results for 2007. However, the group's overall pre-tax losses stood at £44.1 million after significant items, including restructuring costs.

Susina Maiden, 17, is already mapping out her career path to launch her own bakery business in Solihull, after graduating from Warburtons Young Bakers Aca-demy. After completing a three- month course at the academy at the University College of Bir-mingham, she has now embarked on an NVQ Level One in baking skills. She said: "I love baking and really enjoyed the practical side of the course. To be able to continue to learn more about the business side of baking is really interesting. I am now studying cake decoration, confectionery, and bread production, all of which will help me reach my goal to own my own bakery business in Solihull."

Genesis gets Crafty on tourism drive

Warburtons plans to build a distribution site at Howden in east Yorkshire because it has outgrown its existing depot in the region at Gilberdyke.

With the deadline now extended to 16 May, there is still time to get your entries in for this year's Baking Industry Awards.

Irish bakery McCambridge revealed it has weathered the twin storms of commodity price rises and disgruntled creditors, as it continues to turn around former troubled bakery giant Inter Link Foods.

Giving his first interview since being appointed chief executive of McCambridge in February, Gavin Cox, who joined as finance director last year, told British Baker that, nine months after acquiring Inter Link out of administration, the business was back on track.

Greggs has unveiled plans to spend £20 million in the north west, with a new bakery and shops. Some of the shops will be located at out-of-town retail parks and one will be built at Manchester Airport to tap into changing customer demands.

The owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant has won a battle to open what he calls an "old-fashioned and traditional bakery", deep in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside.

Greencore has revealed it is planning to launch a range of Weight Watchers branded chilled desserts within the next two months. The products are currently undergoing development in the firm's cakes and desserts facility in Hull.

Italian pasta company Barilla has put its German subsidiary Kamps Bakeries up for sale, six years after acquiring in a deal worth around E1.8bn.

UK bakeries have faced a 15% rise in the price of sultanas over the last two months amid warnings that supplies from Turkey could dry up by early summer - three months before the next harvest.

The deadline for entries to the Baking Industry Awards has been extended to Friday, 16 May.

Cumbrian bakery The Gingerbread Shop says it will have to wait until August to find out if its application to trademark the term 'Grasmere gingerbread' has been successful, after objections from a local cafe owner.

A Scottish craft baker has won a £9,400 scholarship to study traditional artisan bakery techniques in New York.

Bakers and suppliers who source ingredients, finished products and machinery from Europe say they are under increasing pressure from the strong euro.

n Supermarkets could be made to adopt the traffic light system of food labelling in a deal made between the Department of Health, the Food Standards Agency and the European Union, according to the Daily Telegraph. Public health minister Dawn Primarolo has confirmed it is the government's favoured option, but Tesco, and around 50 other firms, prefer a system of guided daily amounts to alert consumers on health issues.

Finsbury Foods, the holding company for Lightbodys, Nicholas & Harris and Memory Lane Cakes, among others has revealed successful interim profits.

have recently graduated from a three-month foundation course in the skills of baking that is open to 14 to 16-year-olds. They attended Warburtons Bakers Academy at Birmingham College of Food and Tourism.

Irwin's, the Irish plant bakery, has installed the latest version of QuickStep Food and Beverage from Lawson Software, along with Lawson Business Intelligence, to improve communication across its UK-wide supply chain.

Memory Lane Cakes in Cardiff failed to get a council noise abatement order lifted last week when a High Court judge refused a judicial review.

Bakers are among businesses in Chesterfield being urged to take part in an initiative to get locally sourced, high-quality food served at a hospital in the Derbyshire town.

Greggs unveiled full-year pre-tax profits last week of £49m - up 12% on 2006. This is despite substantial rises in the cost of energy and key ingredients including flour and vegetable oils, which pushed up selling prices by 5% over the year.

n The Wiltshire town of Melksham has lost its last independent bakers with the closure of Webbs Bakery. Owner Mick Eglin looked back on "32 brilliant years" and said that the bakery had outlasted most of the other independents in the county.

A rogue trader at the commodity broker MF Global played a large part in pushing up global wheat prices at the end of February, taking huge personal bets on the direction of wheat prices and losing $141.5m (£71m).

Irish bread and pastries company IAWS Group has revealed a 30% rise in half-year earnings and said it expected continued growth due to strong demand.

Hovis

The market reacted positively to Premier Foods' announcement on 4 March of its financial results for 2007. Investors and analysts breathed a collective sigh of relief when the doomsayers' predictions of a rights issue, possible sell-offs and breached banking covenants were not realised.

Does the baking industry need its own National Skills Academy for the bakery sector? Anyone who feels bakery needs a higher profile when it comes to training and attracting new blood is urgently asked to attend a drinks reception on Tuesday April 8 at the Gallery Seminar Suite, NEC Birmingham, starting at 5.30pm, at the Baking Industry Exhibition.

A Lancashire pastry chef who learnt the trade from a Swiss master baker in Lytham St Anne's has returned from 20 years working abroad to open The Deliciously Swiss Artisan Bakery & Patisserie in Didsbury, Manchester.

A Welsh pastry business and 40 jobs have been saved, after senior management took control of the firm in a £1m deal.

A family-run bakery in Gloucestershire has enjoyed a resurgence of customer support following a radio appeal by its owner for people in Cirencester to show loyalty to local businesses.

Grainfarmers Group, which recently struck a deal with Sainsbury's to supply its in-store bakeries with fully traceable milling wheat, has reached profitability after paring down staff and transport costs.

Grainfarmers Group, which recently struck a deal with Sainsbury’s to supply its in-store bakeries with fully traceable milling wheat, has reached profitability after paring down staff and transport costs. See 21 March British Baker

Greggs unveiled full-year pre-tax profits last week of £49m – up 12% on 2006. This is despite substantial rises in the cost of energy and key ingredients including flour and vegetable oils, which pushed up selling prices by 5% over the year. See 14 March British Baker