News briefs: Dairy Crest and Designer Whey

Dairy Crest unfazed by output costs UK-based Dairy Crest says a focus on cost reduction in its French and domestic operations and price increases have continued to help it offset cost pressures related to ingredients for the last fiscal year.

The company said that it had posted a 20 per cent increase in revenues during the year to £1.567bn in its preliminary results.

Profit over the same period rose by 24 per cent over the 12-month period with operating margins rising slightly by 0.2 percentage points to 6.1 per cent, the company said.

Group chief executive Mark Allen said a policy of increased pricing for its goods and reduced outgoings is helping the group to remain in line to meet its growth expectations for the year ahead.

"Most of our key brands in the UK and France, including Cathedral City, Country Life Spreadable, Utterly Butterly, St Hubert Omega 3, Petits Filous and Frubes have increased market share with double-digit sales growth," he stated.

"In addition, Clover is on track to recover strongly this year.

In our Dairies division we have made progress and improved manufacturing efficiencies."

Designer Whey announces retail deal US-based manufacturer Designer Whey says it will be working with retailer General Nutrition Centers (GNC) to step up distribution of its products in the country.

The company, which as it name suggests designs products derived from whey, says that products ranges, such as its high protein fruit flavoured beverages, will now be available in 25000 GNC stores worldwide.

Group chief executive officer David Jenkins say that the launch of two new brands including the Protein Blitz and the Designer Whey beverage at GNC stores would be a significant boost for whey-based products.

"Whether dieting or gaining, GNC customers can discover great tasting whey protein products to use for their daily weight management and to increase the benefit of their workouts," he claimed.