Edinburgh HQ for JBT

JBT FoodTech, which acquired machinery manufacturer Double D Food Engineering in May last year, plans to consolidate its UK operations by combining its Bedford and Broxburn sites. Double D’s 40,000sq ft manufacturing site in Broxburn near Edinburgh will become the UK headquarters for JBT FoodTech, with manufacturing, sales and servicing operations.

Pie sales hit heights

Pie sales have reached a 30-year high, according to research company AC Nielsen, as better quality ingredients and wider choice tempt shoppers. Sales across all UK retailers grew by 16% (AC Nielsen data), which equates to 17 million pies, over the past two years. The total market is worth £229m with steak pie the nation’s favourite.

Greggs promotion

Greggs teamed up with the Daily Mirror last week to offer readers free sandwiches, loaves and muffins. A different voucher was printed in the paper each day, entitling the bearer to a free product at any Greggs store, ranging from a chicken and bacon lattice on Monday to a small white bloomer on Friday.

Logistics event

William Reed Business Media, which publishes British Baker, will organise the Food & Drink Logistics Show to run alongside its trade shows taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 21-24 March 2010. These include Foodex, the Baking Industry Exhibition, Food & Drink Expo, Convenience Retailing Show, Café+@CRS, Off Licence Show and IFFE.

Hermé comes to UK

Famous French patissier-chocolatier Pierre Hermé plans to open a boutique patisserie in Knightsbridge in spring this year called Pierre Hermé Paris. He already operates two shops in Paris and Tokyo.