Del Monte outsources marketing and sales teams

Del Monte, the canned fruit and drinks brand, has announced it is outsourcing the sales and marketing for its UK food division. It is understood that it is currently in consultation with it sales and marketing teams about their future with the brand.

The company will transfer responsibility to Jenks, the sales, marketing and distribution company, on October 15 and it will be responsible for the full range of Del Monte canned foods, fruits juices and snacks. It does not affect its fresh or prepared fruit businesses.

It is understood that the company is in consultation with its marketers, which is thought to include head of marketing David Wilkinson and Martin Pedrick, head of sales. Wilkinson joined Del Monte in 2005 from Kallo Foods and is also a former NestlÈ (MW September 22).

Del Monte managing director Peter Miller, who will retain overall responsibility for the brand, says: “We see this as an important and positive step in the life and development of the brand.”

The brand has struggled in recent years as supermarkets have launched own-brand juice product. It was delisted from Sainsburys and Asda late last year.