Infant nutrition company, Bubs Australia Limited, has appointed Chris Rowe as its new chief financial officer. He takes over from Naomi Verloop, who has resigned after holding the role since 10 February 2025.

Premium spirits distributor, Amber Beverage Australia, has expanded its portfolio of global brands, signing an exclusive distribution partnership with Pallini, the Rome-based family distillery behind the world's top selling limoncello.

New South Wales has received a boost to its local food and beverage manufacturing industry, with the official launch of the new Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub, funded by $17.14 million from the federal government.

Blue Sky Drinks Co. has appointed Paul Slaughter as CEO, commencing immediately. The move follows the company’s official launch last October, as it plans to become Australia’s largest independent spirits and RTD business.

The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology’s flagship annual convention, AIFST26, will run concurrently with foodpro 2026 on 27-28 July at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Cobram Estate Olives (CBO) has formally claimed a purchase price adjustment of up to US$31.9 million on its California Olive Ranch (COR) acquisition and expects to pay no earn-out on the deal, as the Australian producer works through the completion of its largest ever transaction.

Maggie Beer Holdings (MBH) has pushed back the expected timing of its proposed $10 million sale of Hampers and Gifts Australia (HGA), with completion now targeted for February 2027 rather than a binding agreement signed by the end of this month.

RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia have launched the new Food and Beverage SME Packaging and Machinery Solution Centre, to help Australian food and beverage SMEs navigate the complex transition to more sustainable packaging and processing technologies, while protecting product quality and minimising food waste.

Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry is converging on Melbourne this July for foodpro 2026, the country’s leading trade event for processing, packaging and innovation. Event director, Louise Brooks, looks at what attendees can expect.

SPC Global (ASX: SPG) says it remains on track to deliver 25 per cent growth in normalised EBITDA for FY26, with its Q4 trading update showing the $100 million equity raise completed in the quarter has cut net leverage to below 2x, as restructuring begins at its Shepparton site.

The New South Wales government is investing $28 million through the Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program to support 14 projects across the agriculture sector – including a new on-farm off-grid livestock processing facility, upgraded dairy processing equipment, and the state's first dealcoholisation facility.

With foodpro just weeks away and the Hive Awards winners recently crowned, the latest issue of Food & Drink Business is a reminder that an industry grows stronger when it gets in a room together. Our foodpro preview, Hive Awards review, and wrap of ConTech’s 30th conference are testimony to that. There are profiles of foodpro exhibitors, a spirited Rising Star, industry news and so much more.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has barred Coles Group from acquiring a leasehold interest over a new supermarket and liquor site in Western Australia, under the reformed merger regime that became mandatory from 1 January.

The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) reports the supply chain problems that stripped roughly 14 per cent from its China label infant formula sales this year have been substantially resolved, with preliminary FY26 results in line with or slightly ahead of guidance.

JBS-owned smallgoods company, Primo Foods, has invested $7 million into a new boiler house at its Primo Chullora facility, intending to future-proof the site, which has been operating for 28 years.

Italian confectionery company, Ferrero, has appointed Terence Viney as its new general manager Australia and New Zealand, succeeding Massimo D'Ambrosio, who now moves to a new role within the Ferrero Group in the United States.