Kraft chiefs quizzed on Cadbury takeover by MPs

"I've always loved chocolate!"

MPs have said the absence of Kraft chief executive Irene Rosenfeld from a hearing over the firm's Cadbury takeover was a "slap in the face". The Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee was following up a report in which it said Kraft acted "irresponsibly and unwisely". Ms Rosenfeld's team insisted she was interested in the hearing.

Ever since Kraft took over Cadbury the feeling seems to be that Kraft is up to something. Maybe they are or maybe they are not. But I think they come across as slightly shifty. Large corporations do themselves no favours by being unnecessarily secretive and defensively indignant. One thing is certain, though. Kraft need to create a better public image in the UK as far as their corporate affairs are concerned.

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We believed Kraft, say Cadbury workers - who wouldn't!

Krafty Kraft. They lied through gritted teeth. Having promised to keep open the Somerdale plant, near Bristol, they up sticks for Poland. Amoree Radford, who campaigned to keep Somerdale open, said she had no reason to think Kraft would go back on its pledge. "I believed them and the employees believed them," she said. "The plant is very productive, it is very profitable. Kraft said they wanted to expand it and wanted to be environmentally-friendly. So of course we believed them - who wouldn't?"

But as soon as the takeover was complete, Kraft said plans for a move of manufacturing to Poland were too advanced and the Somerdale plant was doomed.

Isn't it marvellous how so many corporate business types think they can tell lies, run rings round people and just imagine the world carries on in sublime disregard? So now we get Polish chocolate done up as Cadbury's with an American twang in the promotion. Not exactly a traditional confectionery item anymore.

Cadbury Polska gets a nice little handout from the Polish government. Level playing field? Not really, but then British jobs for British workers is a con regardless of who's saying it - Brown or Griffin!

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Krafty fibs!

So no sooner has Irene Rosenfeld got her cheesy fingers on Cadbury she sacks 400 workers. In this interview she feigns respect for the "brand, its workers" and warbles on about the business.

Would you buy a second-hand cheeseburger from her?

http://www.transactioninfo.com/kraftfoods/videoc.php

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Cadbury melts in the warming winter weather

So the board of Cadbury has accepted the Kraft offer. So much for hostilities. It seems that money is king in all corporate matters. I'm not sure I can believe the spokeswoman from Kraft when she simpers on about tradition and cultural icons. I'm fairly certain that the glass and a half of milk Cadbury pours into each chocolate bar won't be coming from any British cow. In fact, these confectionery products can be made anywhere and that is exactly what Kraft will do. If it suits them to make Cadbury chocolates in China, then that's what will happen.

We've already seen HP Sauce pop its clogs on and move from Birmingham. Will Cadbury be wearing a cowboy hat? In the scheme of things it may not matter much. There are a far more important and pressing matters, such as dealing with the earthquake disaster in Haiti.

However, I do think that much of the corporate world has sold its soul, if not to the Devil, to the wanton worship of Mammon. George Cadbury was a Quaker who sought to do much for the workforce of his and other companies in the Birmingham area. I have a good idea that he may well be quaking in his grave today. Pity he's not around to face the lady from Kraft. He might have been able to "rewire her strategy"!

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Krafty move gives Cadbury's a Quaker's quake!

Kraft Foods is eyeing up Cadbury's. They want to take over the iconic British brand. Of course, Cadbury's has not been averse to taking over foreign firms so this is just a bit of business bravado in return. Would I be bothered by it all? Maybe.

Would Kraft Foods know what makes the British palate tick? They'd have to stick with the rather sickly sweet Creme Eggs. Even a nervous shock to the back of the brain from a damaged molar will not put the average Brit off such confectionery. So the message here is "Don't muck about with the recipe!". They would also need to have an idea about the Bourneville Village Trust. Although not a Cadbury company organisation, it has a great historic link with the company. The word ethos comes to mind. Also the attraction of Cadbury World is seen as a hotspot on the visitor trail. Another matter to consider?

Kraft say they will secure jobs and enhance the brands but that was said about HP Sauce and that's no longer in Brum! A Creme Egg can be made in Bangladesh as much as it can be in Bourneville. Possibly Kraft would give Americans a big chance to savour all the Cadbury brands but in my experience only ex-pats and those with an ecclectic tongue have taken to Cadbury's overseas.

If Kraft ever did take Cadbury's over, we should be mindful as to their promise keeping abilities. Cadbury's have just said that the offer undervalues the company. They didn't say it was a preposterous idea to think that a British company could be taken over. In the world of big business sentiment has little place or value.

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