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Posted on: Wednesday, 30 April 2008, 15:00 CDT
Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report related to the Bakery - Pastry industry is available in its catalogue.
World Bakery Products Markets
This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Bakery Products in Millions of US$. The specific product segments analyzed are Bread/Rolls, Morning Goods, Cakes & Pastries, Savory Biscuits, and Sweet Biscuits. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period of 2001 through 2015. A ten-year historic analysis is also provided for these markets with annual market analytics. The report profiles 934 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as Bahlsen GmbH & Co. KG, BAB, Inc., Britannia Industries Ltd., Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc., Chipita International S.A., Elite Industries Inc., Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., George Weston Foods Ltd., Groupe Danone, Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V., Interstate Bakeries Corporation, Kellogg Company, McDonald’s Corporation, Nestle Chile, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sara Lee Corporation, The Great Canadian Bagel Company Ltd., Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., United Biscuits, and Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.
CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS Study Reliability And Reporting Limitations I-1 Disclaimers I-2 Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-2 Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3 Product Definitions And Scope of Study I-3 Bread/Rolls I-3 Morning Goods I-3 Cakes & Pastries I-4 Savory biscuits I-4 Sweet Biscuits I-4 Plain Biscuits I-4 Filled/Coated Biscuits I-4 Other Bakery Products I-4 Cookies I-4 Crackers I-4 Muffins I-5 Bagels/Bialys I-5 Pretzels I-5 Croissants I-5 II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Industry Overview II-1 A Quick Primer II-1 General Trends in the Industry II-1 Retail Moves II-2 Highlighting Trends and Facts II-2 Distribution Trends II-2 New Retail Structures Arising from the Changing Shopping Behavior II-3 Retailer Consolidation Leads to Growth in Private Label II-4 Rise in Repeat Visits Driven by Loyalty Cards II-4 Internet and Television Shopping Yet to Make a Dent in Food Industry II-5 Supply Changes Driven by Development of In-store Bakeries II-5 Trade Barriers II-5 Infrastructure II-5 Raw Material Supply II-5 Price Pressure II-6 Future Strategies II-7 Development of International Brands II-7 Co-Branding II-7 Indulgent Products II-7 Age-Specific Brands II-7 Packaging II-8 Brand Localization II-8 Brand Licensing II-8 Health-Orientated Products II-8 Organic Bakery Products II-8 Internationalization of Flavors II-8 Factors Effecting Consumer Preferences II-8 Classification of Bakery Companies II-9 2. Market Trends II-10 A Peek Into the Changing Dynamics of the Industry II-10 Where the Opportunities Lie? II-10 Trans-Fat Free Products Turn On the Heat II-10 Health, Organic & All Natural: The Buzz Words for Product Success II-11 Table 1: World Market for Bakery Products (2001-2005): Number of New Product Launches Bearing Select Health Claims: No Additives/Preservatives, All Natural, Organic, Low/No/Reduced Fat, Low/No/Reduced Sugar, Low/No/Reduced Calorie, Low/No/Reduced Trans Fat, Halal, Low/ No/ Reduced GI, Low/No/Reduced Carbs (In Units) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-12 Functional Bakery Products Hit the Spotlight II-12 Innovation Ranks High On the Agenda II-13 Table 2: World Market for Fortified/Functional Bakery Products (2005): Percentage Market Share Breakdown of Product Segments - Breakfast Cereals, Bread, and Biscuits (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-13 Table 3: World Market for Fortified/Functional Bread and Biscuits (2005): Percentage Market Share Breakdown of Segments - Bread, and Biscuits in Select Regions (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-14 Table 4: World Market for Fortified/Functional Biscuits (2006): Breakdown of Per Capita Spends in Select Leading Geographic Markets (In US$) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-14 Whole Grain Based Baked Goods Rise in Popularity II-15 Table 5: World Market for High-Fiber Bread (2006): Per Capita Consumption in Select Geographical Markets (In Kilograms) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-15 Table 6: World Bread Market (2005): Retail Price of Bread Per Kg Across Select Cities - New York, Paris, Rome, Berlin, London (in Pounds Sterling ) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-16 Premium Products Become Profitable II-16 In-Store Brands & Single Serve Portions Gain in Acceptance II-16 Retailer Discounting Reduces Profit Margins II-17 Increased Demand for Functional Food Boosts Sales in Developed Regions II-17 Indulgence - A Major Trend in Affluent Markets II-17 Sale of Industrial Products Increases due to Changes in Eating Habits II-17 Distribution Favors International Brands II-17 The Proliferation of Multinationals in Emerging Markets Boosts Value II-18 Positive Health Opinions Benefit Breakfast Cereals II-18 Rise in Industry Consolidation due to Merger and Acquisition Activities II-18 Value Sales Sustained by the Segmentation of the Bakery Sector According to Consumer Needs II-18 Biscuits, Bread & Rolls Are On the Roll II-19 Table 7: World Biscuits Market (2004): Per Capita Consumption In Select Countries (In Kgs) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-19 Consumption Patterns of Bread & Rolls in the World Market II-19 Bakery and Cereals Market Worldwide: Leading Manufacturers in Select Geographic Markets As of the year 2005 II-20 Asia: An Emerging Market for Bread II-20 Dragonland: An Emerging Haven for Bread Manufacturers II-21 The Sweet Toothed Chinese Make Cakes & Pasties A Large Market II-21 Number Speak II-22 3. Product Overview II-23 Bread II-23 History II-23 Categories of Bread II-23 Bread Types II-23 Morning Goods II-24 Cakes & Pastries II-24 Cakes II-24 Pastry II-24 Biscuits II-25 Other Bakery Products II-25 Cookies II-25 Types of Cookies II-25 Crackers II-25 Muffins II-26 Bagels/Bialys II-26 Pretzels II-26 Croissants II-27 4. Product Launches II-28 DSM Unveils New White Bread Enzyme II-28 United Biscuits Launches Snacks with Reduced Fat Content II-28 Bakemark to Launch New Range of Cookies and Hand-Held Savoury Products II-28 Krispy Kreme Announces Launch of Multigrain Doughnut II-28 BakeMark Unveils New Cake Mix II-28 New World Launches Lower Carb Bagel II-29 Kellogg Launches Club Puffed Crackers II-29 Britannia Develops Iron Fortified Tiger Biscuits II-29 Interstate Unveils Low Calorie Cakes II-29 Bella’s Cookies Introduces Fresh Cookie Creations II-29 Kellogg Company Unveils New Product Line-Up II-30 Tesco Launches Cholesterol Lowering Loaf II-30 Aunt Millie’s Launches ‘Fiber and Flavor’ Potato Bread II-30 Allied Bakeries Introduces Omega-3 Enriched Bread II-31 Nature’s Own Introduces Variants Of All Natural Specialty Breads II-31 Tumaro’s Launches Soy- Enriched Flatbreads II-31 Bear Rock Cafe Unveils Organic Bread II-31 Thanh Long Launches Diet Moon Cakes II-31 Bimbo Introduces Sweet Bread Line “Bites” II-32 Bruegger’s Introduces Ciabata Made Sandwiches II-32 Kellogg Extends Frosted Mini-Wheats Line II-32 Danisco Develops New Bakery Enzyme II-32 Britannia, Daily Bread Unveil Frozen Dessert Brand In Bangalore II-32 Kitchen Range Launches Cadbury Donuts II-32 Duchy Originals Introduces Pastries and Tarts II-33 Wonder(R) Launches New Wheat Bread II-33 Zeelandia Introduces Amaranth as Bread Ingredient II-33 RHM to Re-launch ‘Diet’ Bread II-33 Sara Lee Launches Whole Wheat Bread II-34 Oroweat Launches Three Exclusive Whole Grain Breads II-34 Cognis Launches New Baking Agent for Yeast-Based Bakery Products II-34 Palsgaard Launches Cake Emulsifier with Increased Shelf-Life II-34 Cargill Rolls Out Bakery Sweetener System II-34 AB Mauri India Launches New Bakery Ingredients II-35 Britannia Expands Portfolio Under Existing Brands II-35 Unifine Introduces New Products At the FiE Exhibition in Paris II-35 Cognis Introduces New Aerating Agent and Enzyme Range II-35 ADM Introduces New Low Trans Fat Ingredients II-36 George Weston Bakeries Introduces Nutritious Breads for Children II-36 Waitrose Introduces Selenium-Containing Bread II-36 Genosa R&D Introduces Anti-Oxidant Bread Ingredient II-36 Britannia Introduces Pepper Snack II-37 Kraft Foods Extends Portfolio of Nabisco Brand II-37 Calgary Co-Op Introduces Barley Bakery Products II-37 Grupo Bimbo’s Dead Bread Hit the US Market II-37 Bruegger’s Introduces Special Sandwich II-37 Pukka Pies Now Available in Retail Outlets II-37 Kensey Foods Rolls Out Chocolate Products II-37 Disney to Introduce Special Snacks to Fight Obesity II-38 Cinnabon Launches Bite-Size Snacks II-38 Hostess Rolls Out New Brand in Hispanic Market II-38 Bakehouse Releases Frozen Baked Products II-38 LU Biscuits Adds Mousse Biscuits to PIM’s Range II-38 United Biscuits’ Vegetarian Snacks Hit Market II-38 Burton’s Develops New Biscuits II-39 Merino Accelerates into Food Industry II-39 Burton’s Food Releases Cadbury-Licensed Jaffa Cakes II-39 Huntley & Palmers Revive Biscuits II-39 Ingredients Solutions Rolls Out Latest Food Processing Systems II-39 Spectrum Foods Releases Nexsoy Low-Fat Soy Flour II-39 Clif Bar Launches Three Cookie Flavors II-39 Warburtons Rolls Out Wholemeal Loaf II-39 Warburtons Releases All in One Bread II-40 IBC Releases 100% Whole Grain Bread II-40 Kellogg Releases Snack Crackers and Chip Cookies II-40 Bear Rock Rolls Out Salads II-40 Chicago Metallic Expands Line of Aluminum Cake Pans II-40 Dawn Foods Rolls Out Top-Class Bakery Products II-40Mr Bagels Releases Children-Special Lunch Item II-41 Kangaroo Brands Rolls Out Breakfast Item II-41 Arnold Foods Launches Wheat Breads II-41 Bakels Rolls Out Confectionery Concentrates II-41 Sainsbury Releases Eating Structure for Children II-41 Kellogg Launches New Whole-Grain Cereal II-41 Bruegger’s Launches Stone Hearth Breads II-42 Awrey Introduces New Assorted Cakes II-42 Kellogg Launches ‘The Incredibles’ Breakfast Options II-42 Kellogg Offers Cheddar Crackers II-42 Kellogg Launches Special K Cereals II-42 Kellogg Introduces Brand Extensions for Kids’ Cereals II-43 Kellogg Introduces Yet Another Cereal II-43 UB Launches New Mcvities range II-43 Sara Lee Bakery Launches New 100% Whole-Wheat Bagels II-43 Milton’s Baking Company Launches Bagel Product II-43 Maple Leaf Offers Cheese Bagels in US II-43 Pepperidge Farm Introduces Plain Mini Bagels II-44 Aurora Expands Bagel Product Line II-44 M&M-Mars Inc. Reveals Pizzeria Pretzel Snacks II-44 ConAgra Inc. Unveils Butterball II-44 Silver Hills Bakery Launches Bread II-44 Land-Leben Nahrungsmittel GmbH Reveals Land-Leben Croutons II-44 Weston Bakeries Ltd. Launches Better Half Bread II-44 Glory Foods, Inc. Unveils Frozen Side Dish II-44 Interstate Brands Corp. Introduces Breads II-44 SalDoce Fine Foods Reveals Cheese Bread II-45 Mestemacher GmbH Launches Whole Wheat Bread II-45 Hiestand Unveils Bake-Off Bread II-45 Blue Dragon Debuts Spring Roll Wrappers II-45 Soreen Extends Snack Product Line II-45 Vie de France Unveils Bread II-45 Grupo Gamesa S.de R.L de C.V Launches Hot Cakes II-45 Ames International Inc. Releases Cookies II-45 Life Services Supplements, Inc. Reveals Keto Cookies II-45 Loblaws Supermarket Ltd. Launches Cookies II-46 Naris Up Cosmetics Introduces Cookies II-46 URC Thailand Co. Ltd. Rolls Out Cookies II-46 Masterfoods Denmark Reveals Cookies II-46 Pepperidge Farm Inc. Unveils Cookies II-46 Pepperidge Farm, Inc Rolls Out Cheese Crackers II-46 Unified Products, Inc. Launches Crackers II-46 HyVee, Inc. Debuts Crackers II-46 Loblaws Inc. Release Crackers II-46 Healtheries Introduces Wafers II-46 Namchow (Thailand) Ltd Launches Rice Crackers II-47 Jacob’s Bakery Ltd. Releases Rice Crackers II-47 Tastee Foods Ltd. Unveils Wafers II-47 Keebler Co. Launches Baked Crackers II-47 Osem USA, Inc. Rolls Out Matzos Crackers II-47 Westminster Crackers Introduces Crackers II-47 Richard Hislop Ltd. Unveils Crackers II-47 Widely Fortune Co. Ltd. Launches Corn Rolls II-47 Nestle Rowntree Debuts Muffins II-47 Food Club Ltd. Unveils Pastries II-47 Euro Food Concepts, Inc. Launches Range of Bakery Products II-48 Danone (M) Marketing Sdn Bhd Reveals Crackers II-48 Funny Bagels Food Co. Extends Bagels Line II-48 Aurora Foods Inc. Broadens Lender’s Suite of Bagels II-48 Tofutti Brands Inc. Launches Tofutti Soy Bagels II-48 Loyd Grossman Unveils Loyd Grossman Bagels II-48 Macabee Kosher Foods, LLC Reveals Mini Pizza Bagels II-48 Shah Bector & Sons Introduces Bakery Products II-48 Your Best Bakery Products, LLC Debuts Glazed Butter Cakes II-48 Amarlalsai Bakery Products Releases Creamy Wafer II-49 El Almendro Alimentacion, S.A. Debuts Pie and Marzipan II-49 Your Best Bakery Products, LLC Launches Amanda’s Coffee Lovers Cookies II-49 Multifoods Bakery Products Debuts Pre-baked Bread II-49 Pillsbury Co. Unveils Bagel Shoppe Frozen Toaster Bagels II-49 Health is Wealth Products Inc. Launches Mini Pizza Bagels II-49 Ralphs Grocery Co. Introduces New Bagels II-49 Fleischer Bagels Rolls Out Cinnamon Raison Flavor Sandwich Style Bagel Bread II-49 Fiera Foods Inc Releases Frozen Bagels II-49 S.B. Thomas Reveals Thomas Gourmet Bagels in Three Flavors II-50 DFG Foods, LLC Unveils Frozen Hors D’Oeuvres II-50 Lender’s Bagel Bakery Introduces Crusty Frozen Bagels II-50 New York Bagel Company Launches Pre-Sliced Bagels II-50 Earthgrains Co Releases International Hearth French Bread II-50 Nabisco Brands, Inc. Debuts Nabisco Air Crisps Original Cheese Nips II-50 Muffin Town Reveals Bagels-2000 II-50 Kellogg Japan Unveils Breadia Frozen Bagel and Waffles Through Ajinomoto II-50 Rich Products Corp. Debuts Take & Bake Product Suite II-51 Rich Products Launches an Array of Frozen Bakery Products II-51 Tasty Baking Rolls Out Pies II-51 La Francaise Bakery Introduces an Array of New Products II-51 Venetian Bakery Unveils Breakfast Bread II-51 Furlani Food Corporation Rolls Out Garlic Toast II-51 Pillsbury Co. Launches Toaster Bagel Shoppe II-51 King’s Hawaiian Bakery West Releases Dinner and Sandwich Rolls II-52 Kellogg USA Inc. Debuts Toaster II-52 Multifoods Bakery Reveals Gingerbreads II-52 Nature’s Hilhights Introduces Frozen Dessert Line II-52 Nantucket Tea Traders, Inc. Unveils Range of Bakery Products II-52 Sargento Foods Inc. Launches Pizza Creations II-52 Earthgrains Co. Releases Grain Bread II-52 Perfection Bakeries Roll Out Rolls II-52 Toufayan Bakeries Unveils Toufayan Soft Raisin Ring Rolls II-52 Fresco Foods, Inc. Launches Pestos II-52 San Francisco Foods Releases Focaccia Bread II-53 Don Miguel Introduces Grillwich Supreme Sandwiches II-53 Sable & Rosenfeld Rolls Out Bread Toppers II-53 Alpha Baking Unveils Organic Baguettes II-53 La Tortilla Factory Introduces Preservative Free Wraps II-53 Rudi’s Bakery Inc. Launches Hot Dog Rolls II-53 Motta Releases Soft Bread II-53 B and G Foods Unveils Bakery Brand Coffee Break Toasts II-53 Brownstone Baking Co. Debuts Breadsticks II-53 ConAgra Rolls Out Frozen French Bread II-53 Perfection Bakeries Releases Hamburger Buns II-54 T. Marzetti Co. Launches Garlic Bread Sticks II-54 Bestfoods Baking Co. Inc. Introduces Whole Wheat Pita Bread II-54 Thomas Inc. Unveils Muffins II-54 Friend’s Inc. Rolls Out Frieda’s Wrappers II-54 Lender’s Bagel Bakery Re-launches Lender’s Bagel Shop Bagels II-54 Rhodes International, Inc. Releases Rhodes Bake-N-Serv & Bake -N-Pan Rolls II-54 S.B. Thomas Launches Gourmet Bagels II-54 New Organics Company Rolls Out Baking Mix II-54 Conrad Rice Mill Inc. Reveals Bread Crumbs II-54 Pepperidge Farm Inc Extends Swirl Bread Suite II-54 Lost Trail Root Beer Co. Launches Bread Mix II-55 Eli’s Cheesecake Co. Unveils Cheesecakes II-55 John Dough Co. Rolls Out Pizza Crust II-55 Chatham Village Foods, Inc Extends Chatham Village Homestyle Large Cut Croutons Suite II-55 French Meadow Bakery Introduces Bred with Soy Insoflavones II-55 Joseph Campione, Inc. Launches Toast Varieties II-55 Mexican Accents, Inc. Unveils Tortillas II-55 Ziyad Brothers Importing Releases Pita Bread II-55 Miss King’s Kitchens, Inc. Rolls Out Brunch Bread II-55 Cajun Injector, Inc. Launches Pudding Bread II-55 Stroehmann Bakeries, Inc. Unveils Maier’s Rolls II-56 Interstate Brands Corp. Introduces Muffins II-56 Beth’s Fine Desserts Inc. Releases Cookies II-56 Charles Freihofer Baking Co., Inc. Rolls Out New Bread Variety II-56 Keebler Co. Launches Harvest Bakery Crackers II-56 Los Pericos Tostadas Introduces Shells II-56 D and M Unveils Tortillas II-56 Hillbilly Joe’s Rolls Out Breading in Varieties II-56 Kineret Foods Corp. Launches Stuffing Mix II-56 Pepperidge Farm, Inc. Extends Bread Line II-56 Old El Paso Foods Co. Unveils Tortillas II-56 Carl Brandt, Inc. Releases Brandt Pani Picante Brot-Snack II-56 Bec-Lin Broadens Bread Suite II-57 Lupitas Introduces Round Flour Tortillas II-57 S.B. Thomas Extends Muffin Line II-57 Tumaro’s Inc. Broadens Tortilla Wraps Line II-57 Excalibur Launches Premium Stuffing II-57 Charles Freihofer Baking Co., Inc. Unveils White Bread II-57 Lesley Elizabeth Inc. Widens Crisps Suite II-57 Hye Quality Bakery, Inc. Launches Cracker Bread II-57 Nantucket Off-Shore Seasonings, Inc. Rolls Out Stuffing Bread II-57 Interstate Brands Companies Introduces Butter Top Bread II-57 Sara Lee Corp. Broadens Artisan Style Breads II-57 Wholesome Classics Unveils Bread Mix II-57 Father Sam’s Bakery Launches Wheat Flour Tortillas II-58 Barilla Rolls Out Sliced Bread Snack II-58 Beth’s Fine Deserts, Inc. Releases Cookies II-58 Hodgson Mill, Inc. Launches Bread Mix II-58 Allied Bakeries Introduce Buns II-58 British Bakeries Roll Out Tubby Toast II-58 Highgrove Foods Ltd Releases Part-Baked Bread II-58 William Jackson Bakery Launches Nutribread II-58 Garma Foods International Unveils Crackers Mini Sticks II-58 McVitie’s Reveals Cake Bar II-58 Warburtons Re-Introduces the Roll Suite II-59 Venture Foods Debuts Organic Mini Bread II-59 Danone Introduces New Bread II-59 Brossard Unveils Three Snack Products II-59 Albert Menes Launches Tartines Grillees Panification II-59 Dresdener Muhlen GmbH Unveils Ahrenworte Bread Mixes II-59 Grissin Bon SpA Launches Salted Bread II-59 Diamant Muhle Rolls Out Bread Mix II-59 Saiwa Debuts Snack Slices II-59 Bauli Unveils Bauli La Croissanterie II-59 Gelati Sanson SpA Releases Sweet Bread II-60 El Almendro Alimentacion Unveils Two Bakery Products II-60 Bimbo S.A Rolls Out Bread Products II-60 Corven Estrategias Launches Calcium Bread II-60 Dulcesa, S.A. Unveils Dulce Sol Bolleria Pastry Suite II-60 Yoki Alimentos S.A. Introduces Bread Mix II-60 Harvest Gold Foods (India) Ltd. Debuts Brown Bread II-60 Speedibake Releases Bread/Rolls II-60 George Weston Foods Rolls Out Home Bake Bread II-60 Tip Top Bakery Launches Hyfibe Bread Suite II-60 Australian Garlic Unveils Garlic Bread II-60 Lowan Whole Foods Introduces Bread Mix II-61 Pillsbury Ellas Reveals Chilled Dough Products II-61 Allied Foods Launches Muffins II-61 Pillsbury Ellas Reveals Chilled Dough Products II-61 Penotti Duo Penotti Dippi Unveils Breadsticks II-61 Groot’s Roggebrood Rolls Out Sliced Bread II-61 Wasa Introduces Crisp Bread II-61 Primulan Leipomot Oy Launches Oat Bread II-61 Myllyn Paras Oy Reveals Frozen Dough II-61 Ryvita Co. Unveils Crispbread II-61 Groupe Artal Launches Sachets of Buns II-61 Fargo Introduces Doble Sliced Bread II-61 5. Recent Industry activity II-62 CSM Announces Sale France-Based Bakery Operations II-62 CSM to Divest French Frozen Bread Activities II-62 Unifood, Cereform Enter Into Partnership II-62 Zetar Announces Acquisition of Britannia Business II-62Finsbury Completes Acquisition of Lightbody Group II-62 Duke Capital Acquires Burton’s Foods II-63 J&J Snack Foods Announces Acquisition of Radar, Inc II-63 J&J Snack Foods Corp Announces Acquisition of Home/Ade Foods II-63 B&G Foods Acquires Hot Cereal Brands of Kraft Foods II-63 CSM Takes Over Titterington’s II-63 Canada Bread Co. Completes Acquisition Patisserie Chevalier Inc. II-63 Lancaster Colony Announces Acquisition of Marshall Biscuits Co II-63 Ralcorp Holdings Acquires Bloomfield Bakers II-64 Alpha Baking Announces Acquisition Of Natural Ovens Bakery II-64 Britannia and Khimji Enter into Joint Venture Business II-64 Vivartia Plans Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia II-64 Vel Pitar Acquires Spicul De Aur Prodcom II-65 Northern Foods Concludes Spin-off of Flour and Pastry Business II-65 Canada Bread Acquires La-Fornaia Limited II-65 CSM Acquires Kate’s Cakes, UK II-65 Kraft Foods Purchases Iberia Based Operations of United Biscuits II-65 Fresh Start Bakeries Takes Over Pennant Foods II-66 Champ Private Equity Takes Over Manassen Foods II-66 PepsiCo Completes Acquisition of Star Foods II-66 Grupo Bimbo Acquires Uruguay Based Baking Companies II-66 Grupo Bimbo to Acquire El Molino II-66 Britannia Announces Acquisition of Daily Bread Pvt. Ltd II-66 PAI, Blackstone Acquire United Biscuits II-67 Goodman Fielder to Acquire Three Premium Brands of Bread II-67 Sara Lee Acquires Butter-Krust Baking II-67 PepsiCo Acquires Bluebird Foods II-67 Dave’s Gourmet Buys US Based Specialty Food Manufacturer II-67 Hiestand Acquires Fricopan II-68 Delta to Merge with Odkolek II-68 Canada Bread Announces Acquisition of U.K Food Companies II-68 Odkolek Acquires Hungary-Based Vecsay II-68 Saputo Acquires Rondeau II-69 Canada Bread Takes Over Harvestime Limited II-69 Ralcorp Holdings Acquires Parco Foods, L.L.C II-69 Kraft Foods Divests Cookies Business II-69 American Harvest Acquires Classic Cake Co. II-69 Best Brands Corp. Acquires Telco Food Products II-69 Ralcorp Holdings Inc. Acquires Cottage Bakery, Inc. II-70 Canada Bread Wraps Up Operations in British Columbia II-70 Klas Acquires Shares in Pekare, Bosnia II-70 CSM Plans EUR 19 million Capacity Expansion II-70 Charter Baking Acquires Superior Baking and Matthew’s Bread II-70 CSM Acquires CGI Desserts II-71 Dawn Food Products Acquires Countryside Baking II-71 Cereal Partners Worldwide Completes Acquisition of Uncle Tobys Cereal Business II-71 Flowers Foods Acquires Derst II-71 IAWS Group PLC Acquires Otis Spunkmeyer II-71 CSM Divests Part of its Bakery Business II-71 Premier Foods to Acquire RHM Bakery II-72 UB Shifts Production Operations of Nik Naks, Wheat Crunchies to UK II-72 Nascent Acquires JM Disrtibucion II-72 Fazer Enters into Strategic Co-operation with Oao Volzhky Pekar II-72 RA International Sets up New Bakery in Kabul II-72 Bread Investments Acquires Bakery in Nikolaev II-72 Grupo Bimbo Acquires El Globo Pastry Chain, Mexico II-73 Warburtons Acquires Rathbones Bakery II-73 Sara Lee Restructures North American Business II-73 Apax Europe Acquires Panrico II-73 Sunset Acquires US Mills II-73 Ralcorp Holdings Acquires Western Waffles II-74 Royal Cake’s Assets Acquired by Flowers Foods II-74 Flower Foods Purchases Assets of CHS II-74 Finsbury Food Adds Three Suppliers to its Name II-74 Nonni’s Takes Over Mamma Says II-75 I1 Fornaio to Acquire Corner Bakery II-75 Continental Mills Completes Acquisition of PillsburyCopyright Business II-75 Au Bon to Acquire Compass Group’s Business II-75 Bunzl Acquires SOFCO II-75 The Pantry Agrees to Acquire Chatham’s C-Stores II-75 Planet Organic Buys Newfound Health II-76 Hilco and Monomoy Acquire Awrey II-76 J & J Takes Over Snackworks II-76 Daniel Mills & Sons to Buy Stake II-76 Pastry Pro Acquires New Spot in Kuala Lumpur II-76 Premier Foods to Acquire Marlo Foods II-76 SYSCO Purchases Facciola II-76 Cargill Buys Ibr II-76 NBTY to Acquire SOLGAR II-77 Costa Being Acquired by Pasta II-77 Bako Products Acquired by Harte Foods II-77 Bimbo to Acquire La Corona II-77 PerformanceRetail and Notiva Merge II-77 Zaro’s Sets Up New Wholesale Division II-77 Orana Sets Up R & D Facility in India II-78 The Cheesecake Factory to Establish Manufacturing Unit in Nash County II-78 Trigo Bread to Launch New Bakery-Cafes in Ohio II-78 MDG to Set Up New Eateries II-78 Panera to Establish Three Stores II-78 Delifrance All Set to Become a Retailer II-78 Mrs. Beasley’s Renovates Beverley Hills’s Restaurant II-78 Chef Solution Grants Name to Bakery Division II-79 Dean Foods Spins-Off Treehouse II-79 Rich Products to Terminate Production at Pine Bluff Plant II-79 IBC to Shutdown Two San Francisco-Based Bakeries II-79 IBC to Shutdown Massachusetts and New Bedford Facilities II-79 Smucker Divests Multifoods U.S. II-80 J.M. Smucker Divests Dairy and Industrial Bakery Ingredients Businesses II-80 ConAgra Foods Signs Divesture Agreement with Pilgrim’s Pride II-80 CSM Divests its Swedish Subsidiary II-80 United Biscuits Sheds Out a Couple of Brands II-80 Catterton Partners Acquires Cookie Businesses from Parmalat II-80 Smucker Purchases IMC II-81 Smucker Divests Australian Subsidiary II-81 Smucker Sells Brazilian Subsidiary II-81 Ralcorp Acquires Assets of Concept 2 Bakers II-81 UB Acquires Triunfo II-81 Bunge to Acquire Ideal Brand from Molinos International II-81 Groupe DANONE to Acquire Chok and Rolls II-82 Buhler Group and Veripan AG form Joint Venture Company II-82 APV Baker Wins Contract From Alfonzo Rivas II-82 Cerealia Plans to Build a Bread Making Plant in Russia II-82 Interstate Plans to Shut Down its Bakery II-83 UB Proposes to Divest Benelux Snack Business to Roger & Roger II-83 Smucker Plans to Divest Part of Multifoods II-83 Sara Lee Bakery Divests Houston Bakery II-83 Sara Lee Bakery Plans to Close Two Plants in Texas II-84 DANONE Divests W & R Jacob Ltd to Fruitfield II-84 Bunge North America Plans to Divest Bakery Business to Dawn Food Products II-84 Grupo Bimbo SA Acquires George Weston Ltd II-84 Canada Bread Acquires Olafson’s Baking II-84 Canada Bread Acquires Ben’s II-85 ABG Buys Bake-Line Products and CBC’s Baking Operations II-85 Mrs. Smith’s Acquires Gordon Pies Brand of Londonberry II-85 Panera Bread Co. Inks Agreement with Rolling Dough Ltd. II-85 Smithfield Foods Inc. Forms Joint Venture with Artal Holland BV II-85 Klaus Rapp Signs Partnership Agreement with Quality Food Group II-85 Dunkin’ Donuts Forms Joint Venture with Jelly Belly Candy II-85 La Caixa Buys 30% Holding of Panrico II-86 Hiestand Acquires Gerd Suhr Produkt-Systeme II-86 Grupo Bimbo SA Buys Plus Vita II-86 Sara Lee Acquires Earthgrains II-86 Flower Foods Merges with Kellogg II-86 Costco Enters into Agreement with Nestle & Einstein II-86 Harry-Brot Establishes Bakery Plant II-86 Gramss Backstuben Sets Up New Production Plant II-86 Flower Industries Spin Off Flower Foods II-86 Dawn Food Products Takes Over P Olender & Sons and Olender Bessire II-87 Guernsey Bel Inc. Acquires Chalet Desserts II-87 Fleischer’s Bagels Inc Merges with Strategic Investments & Holdings Inc II-87 Albatros Acquires Manufacturing Facility of Clement II-87 Pan-Star Buys Stake in Nuevos Desarollos Panaderos II-87 Keebler Foods Co., Acquires Austin Quality Foods Inc. II-87 Woodstock Organics Inc Acquires Macabee Foods LLC II-87 Nabisco Biscuits and Danone SA Acquire United Biscuits II-88 Philip Morris Acquires Nabisco Holdings Corp II-88 Unilever Acquires Bestfoods II-88 Earthgrains Co. Acquires Metz Baking Co. II-88 Plantagenet Capital Management LLC Acquires Pain et Force II-88 Merger of BAB Holdings Inc and Planet Zanett Corporate Incubator Approved II-88 Hindustan Levers Ltd. Acquires Modern Foods II-88 Exxel Group Acquires Antojos II-88 Rich Products Corp. Merges with J.W. Allen and Company II-88 Woodstock Organics, Inc. Acquires Macabee Foods II-88 BAB Holdings, Inc. Inks Agreement with Models Cities Community Development Corp. II-89 Rich Products Ink Agreement with Fiera Foods II-89 Panera Bread Forges Agreement with Three Franchisees II-89 Caribbean Enterprises, Inc. to Market Celebration Rum Cake II-89 Pillsbury Enters into Joint Venture with Pure Foods Corporation (Philippines) II-89 Warburton Completes Construction of New Bakery II-89 Spring Wheat Bakers Establishes New Plant II-89 King’s Hawaiian Bakery West Undergoes Capacity Expansion II-89 Wendy’s International Inc. Establishes New Manufacturing Plant II-89 Big Foods Increases Installed Capacity II-90 Big Foods Alimentos Congelados Increases Production II-90 Panificadora Veneziana Establishes New Plant II-90 Burton Biscuits Restructures Company II-90 Maple Leaf Bakery Reformulates Business Strategy II-90 Groupe Danone Introduces New Strategy II-91 6. Focus on Select Players II-92 Bahlsen GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) II-92 BAB, Inc. (US) II-92 Britannia Industries Ltd. (India) II-92 Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc. (US) II-92 Chipita International S.A. (Greece) II-93 Elite Industries Inc. (Israel) II-93 Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc (US) II-93 George Weston Foods Ltd. (Australia) II-94 Groupe Danone (France) II-94 Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V. (Mexico) II-94 Interstate Bakeries Corporation (US) II-95 Kellogg Company (US) II-95 McDonald’s Corporation (US) II-95 Nestle Chile (Chile) II-96 Riviana Foods Inc. (US) II-96 Sara Lee Corporation (US) II-96 The Great Canadian Bagel Ltd (Canada) II-97 Parle Products Pvt. Ltd (India) II-97 United Biscuits (UK) II-97 Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. (Japan) II-98 7. Global Market Perspective II-99 Table 8: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Bakery Products by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-99 Table 9: World Long-term Projections for Bakery Products by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest ofWorld Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-100 Table 10: World Historic Review for Bakery Products by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-101 Table 11: World 20-Year Perspective for Bakery Products by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-102 Table 12: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Bread/Rolls by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-103 Table 13: World Long-term Projections for Bread/Rolls by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-104 Table 14: World Historic Review for Bread/Rolls by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-105 Table 15: World 20-Year Perspective for Bread/Rolls by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-106 Table 16: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Morning Goods by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-107 Table 17: World Long-term Projections for Morning Goods by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-108 Table 18: World Historic Review for Morning Goods by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-109 Table 19: World 20-Year Perspective for Morning Goods by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-110 Table 20: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Cakes/Pastries by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-111 Table 21: World Long-term Projections for Cakes/Pastries by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-112 Table 22: World Historic Review for Cakes/Pastries by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-113 Table 23: World 20-Year Perspective for Cakes/Pastries by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-114 Table 24: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Savory Biscuits by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-115 Table 25: World Long-term Projections for Savory Biscuits by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-116 Table 26: World Historic Review for Savory Biscuits by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-117 Table 27: World 20-Year Perspective for Savory Biscuits by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-118 Table 28: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Sweet Biscuits by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-119 Table 29: World Long-term Projections for Sweet Biscuits by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-120 Table 30: World Historic Review for Sweet Biscuits by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-121 Table 31: World 20-Year Perspective for Sweet Biscuits by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-122 Table 32: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Other Bakery Products by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2001 through 2010 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-123 Table 33: World Long-term Projections for Other Bakery Products by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 2011 through 2015 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-124 Table 34: World Historic Review for Other Bakery Products by Geographic Region - United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed by Annual Sales for the years 1991 through 2000 in US$ Million (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-125 Table 35: World 20-Year Perspective for Other Bakery Products by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for the years 1991, 1995, 2007 and 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-126 III. MARKET 1. The United States III-1 A.Market Analysis III-1 Outlook III-1 Demographic Trends III-1 Market Facts and Current Trends III-1 Premium Artisan Bread Posts Gains III-2 Cake & Biscuits Market Wakes Up to Competitive Pressures III-2 Snack Cakes Receive a Make Over III-2 Frozen Baked Goodies III-3 Whole Grain Breads Revive the Fortunes of the Bread Industry III-3 Morning Goods Wake Up to a New Start III-4 What Does It Take to Compete in the Baked Goods Market? III-5 Retailing Mix III-5 Distribution Flow Chart: III-6 Market Share Statistics: Companies & Brands - By Product Categories III-6 Table 36: US Baked Goods Market (2003-2005): Number of New Products Launches in Select Product Markets (In Units) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-6 Tortillas III-7 Table 37: Top 4 Hard/Soft Tortilla Brands in the United States: Breakdown of Dollar Sales Through Supermarkets, Drugstores & Mass Merchandisers for the Year Ended March 2007 (In US$ Million) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-7 Table 38: US Market for Hard/Soft Tortilla: Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales of Leading Manufacturers for the Year Ended March 2007 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-7 Table 39: Top 3 Refrigerated Tortillas Brands in the United States: Breakdown of Dollar Sales Through Supermarkets, Drugstores & Mass Merchandisers for the Year Ended March 2007 (In US$ Million) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-8 Table 40: US Market for Refrigerated Tortillas: Breakdownof Value and Volume Sales of Top 10 Brands for the Year Ended May 2006 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-8 Table 41: US Market for Fresh Tortillas (2005): Breakdown of Volume Sales of Select Leading Manufacturers (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-9 Bread III-9 Table 42: Top 10 Manufacturers of Fresh Bread in the United States: Breakdown of Dollar Sales Through Supermarkets, Drugstores & Mass Merchandisers for the Year Ended April 2007 (In US$ Million) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-9 Table 43: Top 4 Brands of Hamburger/Hot Dog Buns in the United States: Breakdown of Dollar Sales Through Supermarkets, Drugstores & Mass Merchandisers for the Year Ended April 2007 (In US$ Million) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-10 Table 44: US Market For Fresh Bread, Buns, Rolls and Bagels (2006): Percentage Market Share Breakdown of Key Brands: Sara Lee, Pepperidge Farm, Nature’s Own and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-10 Table 45: US Market for Frozen Bread/Dough (2005): Percentage Dollar Sales Breakdown of Leading Brands - New York (New York Frozen Foods, Inc), Pillsbury Home Baked Classics, Pepperidge Farm, Cole’s, and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-10 Table 46: Bread Market in the United States (2003):

redorbit.com

Discovered a new website that you may be interested in. It is called Citybitz. It features jewelr [more]
[from jenchungsboobs] City Council Could Approve 125th Street Rezoning Tomorrow | The New York Observer
The Federal Reserve Board may be sending distress signals about a “prolonged and severe economic downturn,” but ultrarich individuals like hedge fund manager Lee Tachman aren’t sweating it; the 38-year-old Tachman just spent $50,000 on a four day vacation to Miami with three of his bros. According to a ‘Happy Monday’ article in the Times, Tachman’s crew rolled with a “private jet, helicopter, Hummer limousine, Ferraris and Lamborghinis; stayed in V.I.P. rooms at Casa Casuarina, the South Beach hotel that was formerly Gianni Versace’s mansion; and played ‘extreme adventure paintball’ with former agents of the DEA.”
That trip was organized by In the Know Experiences, a vacation-planning company for the affluent whose website promises that “the velvet ropes will fly open, the champagne will keep flowing, and the enjoyment will be everlasting.” Indeed, the Times hears from many in the luxury good business who say that while the merely rich have been tightening the belts a bit, ultrarich consumption continues unabated. The co-owner of the newish Meatpacking District club 1OAK says his guests are still demanding the club’s “Nebuchadnezzar;” a 15 liter bottle of Champagne that costs up to $35,000.
Not feeling bilious enough yet? Try this: Since last January three New Yorkers have bought yachts ranging from $8 million to $35 million. And 71 Manhattan apartments have been sold for over $10 million this year, compared with 17 apartments in that price range during all of 2007. In fact, just days before the collapse of Bear Stearns, the bank’s chairman, James E. Cayne, paid $25 million for a condo at the Plaza Hotel. Anyway, don’t forget your taxes are due tomorrow!

gothamist.com

March 28 (Bloomberg) — No matter how many times you've seen “Gypsy,'' you arguably haven't experienced it as fully as you may now on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. I think I have caught them all, starting with the legendary Ethel Merman in the premiere, but it is this one that has definitive written all over it.
In Patti LuPone's Mama Rose, Boyd Gaines's Herbie and Laura Benanti's Louise, the musical has that radiant nucleus around which everything else coalesces into a parade of delights. This is the “nec plus ultra'' of “Gypsy'' productions, than which I can imagine none greater.
You surely know this revered musical tells the fact-based tale of Rose, the stage mother from hell, and daughters June and Louise, whom she prodded and propelled into stardom as June Havoc and Gypsy Rose Lee.
Had Rose settled for her Seattle existence as a provincial, oft-divorced mother of two more or less stage-struck kids — June more, Louise less — the latter's memoirs could not have underlain the work of another great threesome: writer Arthur Laurents, lyricist Stephen Sondheim and composer Jule Styne.
But wait, make that a foursome: the late Jerome Robbins's choreography, reproduced by Bonnie Walker, continues to exert its death-defying seduction. The two major dance numbers — the “All I Need Is the Girl'' duet for the winsome Benanti and the dynamic Tony Yazbeck, and the furibund final solo, “Rose's Turn,'' for the breathtaking and show-stopping LuPone — are fusions of the balletic and dramatic at their story-telling best.
This production began last summer at the semi-staged Encores! Series at New York's City Center and reaches fully staged fruition here, with almost all participants returning, along with Patrick Vaccariello conducting the expert 25-piece orchestra.
Some problems do arise. At City Center, the orchestra had to be onstage, given what was essentially a concert performance. On Broadway, however, the orchestra should be in the pit, which is what the writing predicates and the public prefers. Yet it is again onstage, mostly hidden by a scrim. Also, the concert's toy lamb and lapdog should have been upped into the desiderated bona fide trained animals for Broadway.

bloomberg.com

Gov. Charlie Crist made a Southwest Florida swing Thursday to drum up support for his health insurance plan, which he hopes will allow the state’s 3.8 million uninsured residents to buy coverage.
The Senate approved the plan Thursday but Crist said he’s concerned the House may not do the same. The House Policy and Budget Council is scheduled to hear a similar bill next week.
Crist wants to use the state’s bargaining clout to negotiate low-cost plans with insurers. The governor said policies could cost as little as $100 a month.
They will not be subsidized by the state.
“It doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime,” he said.
Crist visited The News-Press editorial board, then drove to Lee Memorial Hospital, which houses the region’s trauma center and an emergency room that sees as many as 200 patients a day, many of whom are uninsured.
The issue is critical for Southwest Florida, which trails only Miami-Dade in rate of uninsured residents. The latest state study, completed in 2004, shows 24 percent uninsured here.
Lee Memorial President Jim Nathan said he expects the figure has hit 30 percent, although there hasn’t been a study to verify that.
Nathan said he’s seen similar proposals elsewhere and said people often don’t buy even lower-priced plans.
“If they’re in that kind of strained income, they don’t buy anything,” he said. “Still I think we should endorse this.”
Nathan said he doubted the plan would include hospitalization at those low premiums, but he hoped they might help residents pay for doctors’ visits and medications and keep them from needing the hospital.
At Thursday’s hospital board meeting, members agreed and unanimously endorsed the proposal.
Lee Memorial spent $60 million last year on caring for the uninsured. That includes charity cases - people with low enough income to pay nothing - as well as patients who are asked to pay at least part of their care.

news-press.com

Charleston Southern head football coach Jay Mills seems optimistic about his 2008 Buccaneers being one of the better teams in school history as his squad begins spring football drills today.
The Buccaneers managed only four wins last season after posting 16 wins in the previous two seasons. It was only two seasons ago when CSU won a school-record nine games. Mills sees the same type of potential in his 2008 squad. Potential being the operative word.
“Potential is a good, positive word,” said Mills. “We have some good football players returning, some quality additions and what I believe will be excellent leadership. As much as we like the word potential, it’s really all about productivity. That’s a more important word, and that’s where the intangibles lie. We basically have five and a half months to turn potential into productivity.”
This spring practice will be all about change, especially on the defensive side of the ball. CSU will have four new defensive coaches, including a new coordinator as former Clemson assistant Thielen Smith takes over this spring.
Gone from the defense are linebackers Jada Ross and Jonna Lee, defensive end Dennis Justiniani and four-year starting safety C.J. Hirschman.
The return of senior Josh Mitchell will stabilize things at linebacker. Mitchell was a three-year starter before missing all of last season with an injury. Last year’s starting fullback/tight end Ryan Ard is moving over to defensive end.
“We have some mid-year transfers in that will immediately help our depth defensively,” said Mills. “We feel good about our linebackers and our depth, and I think our secondary has a chance to be pretty good.
Offensively, junior Eli Byrd will return at quarterback but will likely miss most of the spring as he recovers from minor surgery. Redshirt freshman Gabe Gilmour and junior college transfer A.J. Toscano will see most of the spring snaps in a battle for the No. 2 spot.

charleston.net

There will be no school for spring break March 15-24.
The district’s fourth term will begin March 25.
The Waukee school district’s Parent Teacher Organization is looking for volunteers to fill various leadership positions. The PTO will hold a public vote on the slate of positions for the 2008-09 school year from 7 to 8 p.m. April 22 at the Waukee Public Library, 950 Warrior Lane. The deadline to apply for a position is 7 p.m. April 21. The following positions will be filled on the district PTO board: vice presidents for each of Waukee’s eight schools, secretary, treasurer and membership chairperson. In addition, each elementary school PTO will be seeking parent volunteers to form committees at the school-level, including fundraising, membership, activities, book fair, fine arts and conference meals. Parents interested in these positions should call Dee Dee Lounsbury at 987-1022 for more information.
Second-graders had their Fine Arts Night on March 4. They sang songs from “Seussical the Musical.”
Eason students are listening to the music of composer Antonio Vivaldi during the month of March. Every Wednesday morning during announcements students’ ears are treated to excerpts from his most famous work, “The Four Seasons.” These songs are quite familiar to the students already because they are often featured in many television commercials. Vivaldi had a great imagination and was able to capture the everyday sounds of the seasons in each of the movements. Buzzing flies, barking dogs, and the powerful sounds of a thunderstorm are all represented by the sounds of the string instruments.
The Eason art room has been a very busy place. Second-graders have been making papier mache masks in the form of animals, people, or combinations of the two. Fourth-graders are working on pastel portraits of animals, humans, or a combination. First- and third-graders are making clay pots. First-graders are learning how to make pinch pots and third-graders are trying their hands at coil pots. Kindergartners are also working with clay to make animals with four legs, and our fifth-graders are making clay relief tiles.

desmoinesregister.com

LAS VEGAS — Ang Lee opened up a new world of tolerance and compassion for gay cowboys with “Brokeback Mountain.” For his next act, the filmmaker helped take the pornography sting out of Hollywood’s NC-17 rating, which is reserved for explicit adult-themed material.
Lee and frequent producing and screenwriting partner James Schamus were honoured with a freedom of expression award Tuesday at ShoWest, an annual convention of theatre owners, for their collaborations, which include last year’s sexually charged thriller “Lust, Caution.”
Though the $4.6-million domestic haul for “Lust, Caution” was small compared to the $83-million box-office return for “Brokeback Mountain,” Lee and Schamus’s latest production went a long way to legitimizing the NC-17 rating.
Set during the Second World War era, “Lust, Caution” centres on a young Chinese woman (Tang Wei) who seduces a collaborator (Tony Leung) with the Japanese so she and her accomplices can plot his execution. The film features several love scenes between the two.
“That’s the best part of acting. I’ve been directing actors for a long time. How many times do you see actors like that, even just a second or something?” Lee, 53, said in an interview alongside Schamus.
“You see the most private performances. The most brave and private,” said Lee, who won the best-director Academy Award for “Brokeback Mountain.”
“I think those scenes are pivotal. They anchor the movie, so it would be a shame if we don’t see it.”
Only a handful of movies have gone out with the NC-17 rating, which replaced the old X rating in the early 1990s to offer a category that did not carry the connotation of smut for explicit movies.
The most notable NC-17 release before “Lust, Caution” was 1995’s “Showgirls,” a huge critical and commercial flop. Other NC-17 releases such as “A Dirty Shame” or “The Dreamers” played to small cult crowds or art-house audiences.

canadianpress.google.com