Corporate Profiles - 2021 - 98

COMPANY OVERVIEW
Nestle SA
N
Plant-based, personal health emerge as areas of focus
estle SA is using acquisitions to bolster its
Health Science division as part of chief executive
officer Ulf Mark Schneider's vision
of becoming a " powerhouse " in the category.
After adding gastrointestinal medications,
melatonin supplements, food allergy prevention
treatments and more in 2020, the Vevey,
Switzerland-based company continued building
up its personal health and nutrition business
last spring with the acquisition of some vitamin
and supplement brands owned by The Bountiful
Co. The $5.75 billion deal included the Nature's
Bounty, Puritan's Pride, Solgar and Osteo BiFlex
brands. It was followed by the acquisition
of functional hydration brand Nuun, which offers
low-sugar electrolyte tablets that dissolve in water
and promote wellness benefits.
In February 2021 the company sold the majority
of its Nestle Waters North America business
for approximately $4.3 billion. Brands included
in the sale were Poland Spring, Deer Park,
Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills, Arrowhead,
Pure Life and Splash.
" This sale enables us to create a more focused
business around our international premium
brands, local natural mineral waters and highquality
healthy hydration products, " Mr. Schneider
said. " We will also boost our innovation and
business development efforts to capture emerging
consumer trends, such as functional water. "
Nestle in March acquired Essentia Water, a
processor of ionized alkaline water, as part of its
global waters business transformation.
Plant-based food and beverages are another
area of focus. Nestle has been ringing up double-digit
organic sales growth for plant-based
items and is looking to other categories beyond
burgers to keep the momentum rolling. The
company in late 2020 acquired US meal group
Freshly Inc. for $950 million. The fresh prepared
meal delivery platform in August introduced its
first line of plant-based meals featuring proprietary
plant protein blends, including pea protein
blended with vegetables, legumes, seeds, pulses
and whole grains.
Other plant-based innovations include meatfree
hot dogs, vegetarian breakfast bowls and
shredded plant-based chicken products sold under
the Sweet Earth Foods brand. The additions to
the Sweet Earth line are just one example of how
innovation in the plant-based protein space will
continue accelerating, said Ryan Riddle, a senior
product development specialist with Nestle.
" The great thing about Nestle is we're not
looking at the technologies of today and tomorrow,
but 5 to 10 years from now, " he said. " We
are making big investments in the plant-based
protein space. We're focusing our resources on
developing plant-based products and are able to
innovate quickly. "
Additionally, the company launched a research
and development accelerator in Sweden focused
on plant-based dairy as well as conventional dairy
products. The project is part of Nestle's global
R&D accelerator initiative that was launched in
April 2019.
" Innovation in plant-based dairy alternatives is
core to Nestle's portfolio strategy, as well as our
sustainability agenda, " Mr. Schneider said. " As a
company, we have set ambitious climate goals.
This is part of our promise to develop products
that are good for you and good for the planet. "
Nestle also is investing in its frozen foods business,
spending more than $200 million in 2021
to expand multiple facilities that produce frozen
entrees under the Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine and Hot
Pockets brands. CP
Chief executive officer -
Ulf Mark Schneider
Nestle SA net profit
Nestle SA net sales
Nestle SA share price
10,135
12,609
12,232
91,439
2018
2019
2020
92,568
84,343
104
114
124
134
94
2018
2019
2020
Oct.
2020
Dec.
Feb.
2021
Apr.
June
Aug.
in Swiss francs
98 \ October 2021
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Corporate Profiles
in millions of Swiss francs
in millions of Swiss francs

Corporate Profiles - 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Corporate Profiles - 2021