Nestle'

All About Nestlé

Since Henri Nestlé developed the first milk food for infants in 1867, and saved the life of a neighbor’s child, the Nestlé Company has aimed to build a business as the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company based on sound human values and principles.

While our Nestlé Corporate Business Principles will continue to evolve and adapt to a changing world, our basic foundation is unchanged from the time of the origins of our Company, and reflects the basic ideas of fairness, honesty, and a general concern for people.
Nestlé is committed to the following Business Principles in all countries, taking into account local legislation, cultural and religious practices:

Nestlé's business objective is to manufacture and market the Company's products in such a way as to create value that can be sustained over the long term for shareholders, employees, consumers, and business partners.

Nestlé does not favor short-term profit at the expense of successful long-term business development.

Nestlé recognizes that its consumers have a sincere and legitimate interest in the behavior, beliefs and actions of the Company behind brands in which they place their trust, and that without its consumers the Company would not exist.

Nestlé believes that, as a general rule, legislation is the most effective safeguard of responsible conduct, although in certain areas, additional guidance to staff in the form of voluntary business principles is beneficial in order to ensure that the highest standards are met throughout the organization.

Nestlé is conscious of the fact that the success of a corporation is a reflection of the professionalism, conduct and the responsible attitude of its management and employees. Therefore recruitment of the right people and ongoing training and development are crucial.
Nestlé continues to maintain its commitment to follow and respect all applicable local laws in each of its markets.

Introduction

Nestlé with headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé and is today the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company. Sales for 2007 were CHF 107.6 bn, with a net profit of CHF 10.6 bn. We employ around 276 050 people and have factories or operations in almost every country in the world.

The Company's strategy is guided by several fundamental principles. Nestlé's existing products grow through innovation and renovation while maintaining a balance in geographic activities and product lines. Long-term potential is never sacrificed for short-term performance. The Company's priority is to bring the best and most relevant products to people, wherever they are, whatever their needs, throughout their lives.

The Nestlé Addresses navigation at the top of this page will give you access to Nestlé offices and websites around the world. We demonstrate through our way of doing business in all the countries where we are present a deep understanding of the local nature of nutrition, health and wellness; we know that there is no one single product for everyone - our products are tailored to suit tastes and habits wherever you are.

Key Figures 2007

Sales
107 552 million Swiss francs
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, restructuring and impairments (EBIT)
15 024 million Swiss francs
as % of sales
14.0%

Net profit
10 649 Swiss francs
as % of sales
9.9%

Capital expenditure
4 971 million Swiss francs
as % of sales
4.6%

Market capitalization, end December
195 661 million Swiss francs

Earnings per share
27.81 Swiss francs

Dividend
12.20

Key Dates
1866

Foundation of Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co.
1877

Henri Nestlé develops infant cereal
1905

Nestlé merges with Anglo-Swiss
1929

merger with Peter, Cailler, Kohler
1934

Milo launched
1938

launch of Nescafé
1948

launch of Nestea and Nesquik
1969

Vittel (initially equity interest only)
1974

L'Oréal (associate)
1977

Nestlé S.A. (new company name), Alcon
1985

Carnation (with Coffee-Mate and Friskies)
1988

Buitoni-Perugina, Rowntree
1990

Cereal Partners Worldwide
1991

Beverage Partners Worldwide
1992

Perrier
2000

PowerBar
2001

Ralston Purina
2003

Mövenpick and Dreyer's
2006

creation of FoodServices SBU, Jenny Craig, Uncle Toby's
2007

Novartis Medical Nutrition, Gerber, Henniez

History

1866-1905
In the 1860s Henri Nestlé, a pharmacist, developed a food for babies who were unable to breastfeed. His first success was a premature infant who could not tolerate his mother's milk or any of the usual substitutes. People quickly recognized the value of the new product, after Nestlé's new formula saved the child's life, and soon, Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé was being sold in much of Europe.

1905-1918
In 1905 Nestlé merged with the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company. By the early 1900s, the company was operating factories in the United States, Britain, Germany and Spain. World War I created new demand for dairy products in the form of government contracts. By the end of the war, Nestlé's production had more than doubled.

1918-1938
After the war Government contracts dried up and consumers switched back to fresh milk. However, Nestlé's management responded quickly, streamlining operations and reducing debt. The 1920s saw Nestlé's first expansion into new products, with chocolate the Company's second most important activity.

1938-1944
Nestlé felt the effects of World War II immediately. Profits dropped from $20 million in 1938 to $6 million in 1939. Factories were established in developing countries, particularly Latin America. Ironically, the war helped with the introduction of the Company's newest product, Nescafé, which was a staple drink of the US military. Nestlé's production and sales rose in the wartime economy.

1944-1975
The end of World War II was the beginning of a dynamic phase for Nestlé. Growth accelerated and companies were acquired. In 1947 came the merger with Maggi seasonings and soups. Crosse & Blackwell followed in 1960, as did Findus (1963), Libby's (1971) and Stouffer's (1973). Diversification came with a shareholding in L'Oréal in 1974.

1975-1981
Nestlé's growth in the developing world partially offset a slowdown in the Company's traditional markets. Nestlé made its second venture outside the food industry by acquiring Alcon Laboratories Inc..

1981-1995
Nestlé divested a number of businesses1980 / 1984. In 1984, Nestlé's improved bottom line allowed the Company to launch a new round of acquisitions, the most important being American food giant Carnation.

1996-2002
The first half of the 1990s proved to be favorable for Nestlé: trade barriers crumbled and world markets developed into more or less integrated trading areas. Since 1996 there have been acquisitions including San Pellegrino (1997), Spillers Petfoods (1998) and Ralston Purina (2002). There were two major acquisitions in North America, both in 2002: in July, Nestlé merged its U.S. ice cream business into Dreyer's, and in August, a USD 2.6bn acquisition was announced of Chef America, Inc.

2003 +
The year 2003 started well with the acquisition of Mövenpick Ice Cream, enhancing Nestlé's position as one of the world market leaders in this product category. In 2006, Jenny Craig and Uncle Toby's were added to the Nestlé portfolio and 2007 saw Novartis Medical Nutrition, Gerber and Henniez join the Company.
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