P&G to Sell Noxzema to Alberto-Culver

Sources revealed  that Alberto-Culver Co. of Melrose Park, Ill., will acquire Noxzema, which P&G has owned since 1989. A sale price was not available. P&G spokesman Paul Fox declined to confirm the deal on Sunday, saying the company does not comment on rumors.

Alberto-Culver was founded in 1955 and bills itself as the fourth largest hair-care products maker in the U.S. and the second-largest in the United Kingdom. Some of its brands, including Alberto VO5, TRESemme and Soft and Beautiful compete on shelves with P&G brands like Pantene, Herbal Essences and Clairol. But Noxzema would complement Alberto-Culver’s St. Ives skincare brand. Alberto-Culver The company reported net sales of $1.5 billion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2007.

Estée Lauder appoints Gregory Polcer EVP Global Supply Chain

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has announced that Gregory Polcer has joined the company as executive vice president-global supply chain. Polcer will oversee the company’s end-to-end supply chain, including areas such as procurement, manufacturing, quality assurance and logistics operations. He will report to Fabrizio Freda, president and COO. Polcer succeeds Malcolm Bond who is transitioning into retirement, but who will be working closely with Polcer to ensure a smooth transition.

Prior to joining The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Polcer held a number of executive positions, most recently as senior vice president of supply chain at Unilever.

Nestle Americas chief Paul Polman resigns and heads to Unilever

Paul Polman has resigned from his role as the Americas chief of Nestle and is taking the helm at rival Unilever. He will be chief executive of the Netherlands-based company, while Nestle's Europe chief, Luis Cantarell, will take over Polman's old job.

P&G acquires Nioxin Research Laboratories

Furthering its expansion into high-end beauty products, Procter & Gamble Co. has purchased Nioxin Research Laboratories Inc., a family-run, closely held maker of products to address thinning hair.

Terms weren't announced, but the deal was valued at just under $300 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

For P&G, the Cincinnati-based maker of household brands including Pampers diapers, Gillette razors and Dawn dish soap, the acquisition is the latest step in an aggressive march into the beauty market. Expanding its beauty division has been a strategic focus for the company because it sees more opportunities for growth there than in its traditional household-staples businesses.

Nioxin, based in Lithia Springs, Ga., makes a range of scalp treatments for thinning hair. The company, which holds about 75% of that market according to P&G estimates, sells its products through salons in more than 40 countries. Nioxin products include shampoos, scalp treatments and styling products.

Founded in 1987 by Eva Graham, the company is led by her son, CEO Brian Graham. Mr. Graham will continue to lead the business, and Ms. Graham will continue her research-and-development role, P&G and the Grahams said. Though approximately 60% of Nioxin customers are men, more women are citing thinning hair as a problem, Mr. Graham said.

"The thinning-hair segment has been growing about 6% to 8% annually, well ahead of the overall [salon hair-care] segment of about 2% to 3%, said Kevin Otero, P&G's professional-care general manager for North America. "We see it as a huge global opportunity."

Sara Lee dressing, sauce unit sold to Richelieu

Sara Lee Corp.'s sauces and dressings business, which makes salad dressing and other products for restaurant and foodservice operations, was acquired by closely held Richelieu Foods Inc., Massachusetts-based Richelieu said Tuesday.

Terms of the acquisition, which calls for private-label food products maker Richelieu to take ownership of the Sara Lee sauces and dressings manufacturing facility in Elk Grove Village, weren't disclosed.

The sale calls for Richelieu to become a manufacturer for the Sara Lee Foodservice DSD Coffee network, and the network will continue to supply its customers with sauce and dressing products, Richelieu said.

Richeliue, of Randolph, Mass., is majority owned by the private equity firm Brynwood Partners.

Richard K. Smucker will be executive chairman, along with his current roles as president and co-chief executive officer.

Paul Smucker Wagstaff was named president of the oils and baking from vice president of foodservice and beverage markets.

Former Zatarain's CEO named McCormick & Co.'s international chief

 

McCormick & Co. Inc. has appointed Lawrence Kurzius to president of its international operations.

Kurzius previously headed the spice maker's operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Starting Sept. 1, he also takes responsibility for McCormick's Canadian, Asian and Australian operations, and will head the company's growth efforts in all emerging markets.

As Kurzius' job becomes more international, he will relocate from England to McCormick's corporate offices in Hunt Valley.

Malcolm Swift will succeed Kurzius as head of McCormick (NYSE: MKC) in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He previously was vice president of the firm's consumer group for the region.

The moves are part of an ongoing succession planning effort at McCormick, which named longtime executive Alan Wilson CEO this year. Kurzius has been working closely with Swift to develop him as a successor to head the European operations, Sparks-based McCormick said in a news release.

Kurzius joined McCormick in 2003 when the firm acquired Zatarain's, a New Orleans-style food maker, where Kurzius was CEO. He has climbed the corporate ladder quickly at McCormick, with two promotions in 2005.

Before he joined Zatarain's, Kurzius worked in marketing for Uncle Ben's, a division of Mars Inc., and the Quaker Oats Company.

Swift joined McCormick in 2005 after working for Pedigree Petfoods, Diageo,Time Warner Inc. and Hero AG.

Jones Soda appoints Michael O'Brien CFO

The beleaguered Seattle soda company (NASDAQ: JSDA) this month announced a second-quarter loss of $2.7 million. Late last year, founder and former CEO Peter van Stolk stepped down, and was replaced by Stephen Jones.

O’Brien was formerly the CFO at Pyramid Breweries of Seattle, before that company was bought by Independent Brewers United Inc. of Vermont. O'Brien's annual base salary will be $200,000, according to Jones.

Natha “plans to pursue other interests,” according to Jones Soda.

General Mills sells Pop Secret for $190 million

General Mills Inc. is selling its Pop Secret microwave popcorn business to Diamond Foods Inc. for about $190 million cash.

Golden Valley-based General Mills (NYSE: GIS) disclosed the sale today in a press release.

The sale was part of a prioritization of opportunities for General Mills, said company spokeswoman Heidi Geller. In particular, the company is focused on selling its Nature Valley granola products and other grain snacks. The popcorn product was produced at third-party manufacturers, so there will be no direct impact on General Mills’ employees or plants, she said.

General Mills expects a one-time gain on the sale of $160 million, which excludes transaction-related costs.

Stockton, Calif.-based Diamond Foods (NYSE: DMND) is a food company that makes and sells nuts and snacks under the Diamond and Emerald brands.

“We are very excited about the addition of Pop Secret to our snack portfolio,” said Michael Mendes, CEO and president of Diamond, in a release. “It will significantly broaden our presence in the snack aisle and increase promotional efficiency, while leveraging our existing supply chain and corporate infrastructure.” Diamond expects the brand to generate $85 million to $90 million in annual sales and to be profitable. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close sometime this fall.

Pop Secret, which General Mills introduced to the market in 1985 as Betty Crocker Pop-Secret, is the second-biggest brand in the $900 million U.S. microwave popcorn category. Orville Redenbacher, made by Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra Foods Inc., is the market leader.

Kellogg Appoints Mark Baynes Chief Marketing Exec

Kellogg announced several key executive changes today, including the promotion of Mark Baynes to vp and global CMO.

Previously Kellogg's global CMO, Baynes is now responsible for the packaged goods giant's "brand-building initiatives" and ensuring worldwide marketing efforts align with Kellogg's long-term goals for growth, per the company.

Other management changes include the departure of Jeff Montie, currently evp of Kellogg and president of Kellogg International, global innovation, and marketing and sales.

"Jeff has been a valued member of our global leadership team. His marketing talents and management abilities greatly benefited Kellogg throughout his more than 20-year career with the company," David Mackay, Kellogg's president and CEO, said in a statement. The vacant position will be filled in the near future, per Kellogg, Battle Creek, Mich.

Brad Davidson, who previously oversaw Kellogg's snacks division in the U.S. and Canada, is now svp and president of Kellogg North America. Davidson joined Kellogg in 1984 and has been in his current post for five years. He is credited with growing Kellogg's snacks business into one of the company's largest operating units.

Paul Norman, svp of Kellogg and president of U.S. Morning Foods, has been elevated to svp and president of Kellogg International. An 11-year veteran of the company, Norman has served in leadership roles in Kellogg's Canada, Mexico and U.K. businesses. He also helped grow the company's U.S. Morning Foods, Kashi and Frozen Foods brands during a "cost-inflationary environment," Mackay said. In his new role, Norman will be responsible for Kellogg's growth in emerging new markets, the company said.

Finally, John Bryant, evp, CFO and president of Kellogg North America, is now COO; Juan Pablo Villalobos, svp and president of Kellogg Latin America, is now svp and president of U.S. Morning Foods; and Todd Penegor, CFO of Kellogg Europe, is now vp of Kellogg and president of Kellogg U.S. Snacks. All appointments are effective immediately.

"These new assignments demonstrate the depth of our management bench and are part of our continuing commitment to growing talent from within the organization," Mackay said. "The strength of our leadership team gives us great confidence in our ability to continue driving sustainable performance in a highly challenging environment."

Kellogg spent $595 million on advertising last year (excluding online), per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. With $12 billion in sales last year, Kellogg's signature brands include Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Rice Krispies and Nutri-Grain. The company's products are sold in 180 countries.