Manufacturer

McCormick & Company signed an agreement to purchase Drogheria & Alimentari (D&A), a privately held company based in Italy for $97 million. D&A is a leader in spices and seasonings with annual sales of approximately $57 million.

As the consumer goods industry rushes to get closer to the shopper, both competitively and collaboratively, emerging technologies start to take hold, and we find ways to bring sophistication and data, data, data! to existing processes.

With a reputation for its engaging marketing campaigns in certain regions, Cadbury decided to use personalization to raise its brand awareness, increase penetration, and connect emotionally with its customers in lesser-known regions.

CGT's Industry Liaison, Werner Graf, provides some lesser-known resources for innovation including how to match your customers' pain points with the right technology, for success.

Campbell's shared its new cost reduction plan as well as an initiative to simplify its organization structure to improve agility in the marketplace. The company expects these to generate annual cost savings of $200 million over a three-year period.

Campbell's Culinary & Baking Institute released its second annual Culinary TrendScape -- a trend report tracking the top 10 influential food themes for 2015, including Filipino Flavors, Regional Barbecue and Bread Revival.

In the world of consumer goods, Amway is a rare success story. The company's direct-selling model has been nothing but successful, but this didn't come about by chance. Armed with a structered, yet flexible product development process, and growing network of external partners, Amway and its Open Innovation Team, is well on its way to turning a good business into a great business.

CGT Editor Alarice Rajagopal gives you a sneak peek into the trends and topics discussed in this month's issue.