Premier Foods has reached a three-year product development agreement with AarhusKarlshamn (AAK UK).

The oils and fats producer has been selected by Premier to be “its long-term co-development partner for the supply of vegetable oils, fats and related food ingredients”.

According to AAK, the partnership is the result of Premier’s ‘Invest to Grow’ programme.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high value-added speciality vegetable oils and fats, AAK is organised into three areas: Food Ingredients, Chocolate & Confectionery Fats, and Technical Products & Feed.

It is hoped that the exclusive collaboration will allow true co-development opportunities, innovation, ideas and technologies for the consumer, as well as generate shareholder value, said the company.

Mark Hughes, group procurement director of Premier Foods, said: “We need the best suppliers to help us achieve our vision to be ‘The Best in British Food’. The development of long-term partnerships is an excellent way to ensure we can continue to innovate in support of our brands.

“We are looking forward to working more closely with AAK, whose relevant technical skills are of the highest possible calibre and whose products and technologies can be found in every food category across every region of the world.”

Last week Premier announced the appointment of Ondra Partners to look at options regarding its Hovis bread brand.

In a statement it said: “The company confirms it has appointed Ondra Partners to assist in developing investment options for the bread business, which include co-investment by a partner. There can be no certainty that a transaction will follow at any point in the future, but the company will provide updates as appropriate.”