In the $28 billion U.S. pet food market, mergers and acquisitions have dominated the headlines in recent years.

The J.M. Smucker Company announced a series of key executive promotions designed to position the company for continued growth and success following the recently announced planned acquisition of Big Heart Pet Brands, which is expected to be completed by the end of the company's fiscal year, April 2015.

How do you spell new product “success?” How about combining these letters: R&D, M&A and CIE.

Food maker Sara Lee Corp. said it sold a chunk of its North American foodservice coffee and tea operations to The J.M. Smucker Co. for $350 million.

The J.M. Smucker Co.'s acquisition of Cafe Bustelo and Cafe Pilon expands its coffee business into the espresso category and may widen its appeal to Hispanic coffee lovers.