Chocolate Forum

Chat => General => Topic started by: chocadmin on November 22, 2009, 11:07:39 pm

Title: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: chocadmin on November 22, 2009, 11:07:39 pm
So hershey/ferrero are joining the bidding for Cadbury, and there's a rumour that Nestle might too.
For all the latest links for info check out my Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=11999&uid=130663037715#/group.php?gid=130663037715 (http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=11999&uid=130663037715#/group.php?gid=130663037715)
Also added a little voting panel on the homepage of www.chocolatereview.co.uk (http://www.chocolatereview.co.uk)

What does everyone else think, good thing, bad thing, indifferent?
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: Forth Bridges on November 23, 2009, 12:05:02 am
Maybe give it to ferrero?

NESTLE would get bloke by the Competition commission plus there destory rowtrees.   
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: oldspice on November 23, 2009, 06:47:20 am
I would not like to see any of the big contenders getting their hands on Cadbury. It can only end in lower quality products. However, what's the alternative? Job losses are inevitable, whatever the outcome and I suppose a dip in quality is too because if Cadbury cannot make the brand pay, who can?
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on November 23, 2009, 12:10:56 pm
Why can't all the British chocolatiers dip in and go for it?  Maybe in league with Richard Branson or someone.  I fear for Green & Black's.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: DrWho on November 23, 2009, 12:20:19 pm
I would not like to see any of the big contenders getting their hands on Cadbury. It can only end in lower quality products. However, what's the alternative? Job losses are inevitable, whatever the outcome and I suppose a dip in quality is too because if Cadbury cannot make the brand pay, who can?

Lower quality products? Yeah, cos it's top drawer right now!  Eeesh!!!  :-\
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: smurfboy on November 23, 2009, 05:44:12 pm
I would not like to see any of the big contenders getting their hands on Cadbury. It can only end in lower quality products. However, what's the alternative? Job losses are inevitable, whatever the outcome and I suppose a dip in quality is too because if Cadbury cannot make the brand pay, who can?

Lower quality products? Yeah, cos it's top drawer right now!  Eeesh!!!  :-\

Well it's certainly far superior to Nestle, who I'd hate to see get their hands on it.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: oldspice on November 23, 2009, 05:46:49 pm
I would not like to see any of the big contenders getting their hands on Cadbury. It can only end in lower quality products. However, what's the alternative? Job losses are inevitable, whatever the outcome and I suppose a dip in quality is too because if Cadbury cannot make the brand pay, who can?

Lower quality products? Yeah, cos it's top drawer right now!  Eeesh!!!  :-\

Well it's certainly far superior to Nestle, who I'd hate to see get their hands on it.

Absolutely!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: DrWho on November 24, 2009, 06:02:47 am
I wouldn't say it was far superior to Nestle but it is better.  Not only is Nestle poor chocolate. but their attitude to their customers is appalling.  Witness a conversation between Mrs Who (my Mum) and Nestle recently regarding Black Magic.  She phoned to say how bad they are compared with the selection of the 70s.  They were rude and dismissive.  My Mum felt quite upset afterwards and said she'll never buy another box, instead will have Terry's All Gold (Kraft) from now on
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: oldspice on November 24, 2009, 07:02:13 am
I totally agree with your mum Dr. The Black Magic selection in the 70s was wonderful but now it's pitiful. Much can be said of Diary Box. As for All Gold, well, again, a pitiful selection compared with the 1970s and the chocolate itself it is the cooking chocolate category. If fact, I can think of no chocolate selection today that is worth buying.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: chocadmin on November 24, 2009, 11:57:30 pm
DOH, sorry folks I had to restart the voting because it missed off Hershey/Ferrero (because I put a slash in the name - what a silly bit of software).
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: oldspice on December 15, 2009, 07:26:14 am
This was up for discussion on radio Foyur last night. They were talking about the bid from Hershey and a chocolatier (I think that's how you spell it) tasted a sample of each and said that although not perfect, cadbury was the best by far. He described Hershey as 'cheese paste) and then several people emailed the programme saying how truly revolting Hershy is.

So, if Cadbury goes to Hershey and with Nestle now truly having destroyed Rowntree - it's time to give up chocolate!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: smurfboy on December 15, 2009, 03:17:57 pm
Hershey choc is vile - it barely tastes of cocoa at all. Anyone who criticises Cadbury should try this first!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: chocadmin on December 17, 2009, 01:14:58 am
I don't think Hershey would alter Cadbury (they're American but they're not stupid). I would actually hope that a merger with Hershey (far preferable than Kraft, although it'd be better still if Cadbury remained independent), would increase the chance of Hershey distributing British choc in America.
Oh and the reason Hershey barely taste of cocoa is coz American choc only needs 11% cocoa :(
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on December 17, 2009, 11:32:56 am
11%!!!  But they may as well not bother!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: Cherry_Ripe on January 19, 2010, 07:53:40 am
Cadbury has agreed to the Kraft takeover!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: chocadmin on January 19, 2010, 10:01:29 am
Yep, boo hoo. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8467007.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8467007.stm)
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: oldspice on January 19, 2010, 06:16:11 pm
Oh no! I can see it now. Cadbury Chocolate Spread in jars swirled with Dairylea!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on January 19, 2010, 06:35:56 pm
I don't really want to know where this is going, especially concerning the imminent job cuts.  I take it that's the end of the factory in Keynsham then.  And what about Green & Black's?  RIP, Cadbury...
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: smurfboy on January 20, 2010, 12:23:39 pm
Apparently Keynsham is staying open and Kraft are committed to maintaining production at Bournville; it looks like it's the corporate gead office at Uxbridge that will suffer.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on January 24, 2010, 02:04:39 pm
They've still got to pay back that loan.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on January 26, 2010, 10:48:05 am
Well, it looks like the Kraft offensive has started.  Keynsham WILL be closed and, by all accounts, relocated to Poland, just as predicted.  This means that Picnic, Fry's Turkish Delight, Freddos, Caramel, Fudge, Chomp, Fry's Cream Bar, Double Decker, Crunchie, Curly Wurly and Mini Eggs will all be made overseas and imported.  Also, the ingredients ARE being changed to cheapen production.

Make mine Hotel Chocolat!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: smurfboy on January 26, 2010, 12:52:50 pm
Where did you hear this Dr T?
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: goldencup on January 26, 2010, 02:57:49 pm
Noooooooo!  Surely they can't change Crunchies and Double Deckers!!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: oldspice on January 26, 2010, 05:50:25 pm
We'd better all go out and buy shed loads of out favourite Cadbury stuff because it looks like things will only get worse.  So much for the economic advantages of being in the EU. Terrible about the job losses.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on January 27, 2010, 02:24:33 pm
Where did you hear this Dr T?

I looked on the Save Keynsham site.  I think some of Cadbury is already in Poland, but it's only a matter of time.  Kraft are apparently already in trouble, which is why they bid for Cadbury in the first place.  Talk about sinking ship!
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on February 02, 2010, 05:45:23 pm
So, that's it then.  Kraft have signed on the dotted line and jobs are threatened.  This is definitely the end for Cadbury's.
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: cinabar on February 02, 2010, 09:44:53 pm
So, that's it then.  Kraft have signed on the dotted line and jobs are threatened.  This is definitely the end for Cadbury's.
:( such sad news
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: chocadmin on February 03, 2010, 01:02:06 am
Yes, it's very bad. Mandelson's even developed emotion about it he's 'disappointed'.
I'm still hopeful that Kraft will at least enable Cadbury's to reach further around the world than it already does - and maybe start to make some inroads to the USA (and with Nestle potentially buying Hershey maybe that'll be easier than we think).
Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: chocadmin on February 09, 2010, 11:09:10 am
My silly Dairy Milk timeline (for those of you not on twitter)

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Title: Re: Bid wars over Cadbury
Post by: drterror666 on February 10, 2010, 12:26:34 pm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8507780.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8507780.stm)

What deceitful bastards Kraft have been over the closure of the Keynsham factory.  I like this quote:

Kraft said it had only become aware of how advanced plans for the new Poland factory were after the takeover deal had been agreed.

I mean, come on, as I said before, they had no bloody intention to keep Somerdale open and they knew it.  This is just the first stage in moving operations to Poland.  So, time to boycott Picnic, Fry's Turkish Delight, Freddos, Caramel, Fudge, Chomp, Fry's Cream Bar, Double Decker, Crunchie, Curly Wurly and Mini Eggs.

I will definitely be sticking with Thorntons and Hotel Chocolat from now on.