Operations

Bill Simon's successor, Greg Foran, joined the company in October 2011 and became President and CEO of Walmart China in March 2012.

The merger expands ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston operations in a market that has growing demand for frozen potato products.

A new report from IDC Manufacturing Insights concludes that big data and analytics will remain one of the top investment priorities for manufacturing organizations of all sizes for the foreseeable future. In fact, nearly 51 percent of respondents expect to generate new revenue streams from big data and analytics projects.

Flowers Foods names a new EVP and COO, a President of Flowers Bakeries (DSD operating segment), and an SVP of Flowers Bakeries West Coast region.

Kevin Mead will lead the strategic direction, ongoing expansion and operations of Aerosoles retail and outlet locations.

The company will focus efforts on branded products and growth categories such as "better-for-you" snacks.

The acquisition valued at $860 million is expected to position TreeHouse as the private label leader in the on-trend and high growth healthy snacks sector.

These steps are related to continued efforts to right size the cost structure, improve organizational effectiveness, streamline processes to gain efficiencies and reduce cost across the organization.