Danone chairman and CEO Frank Riboud said: “With sales up 6% in the first half, Danone is off to a strong start in 2013 in an economic and consumption context that remains difficult in Europe and in some cases volatile in emerging countries. This performance demonstrates the relevance of our action plans, with our teams doing a good job of executing them around the globe.
“In Europe, simplifying our model and reducing costs remain a priority. Our organisational adaptation plan is now being deployed, right on schedule, with the first benefits expected from the second semester onwards. Meanwhile, adjustments to our product portfolio are beginning to pay off.
“In emerging markets and in North America, our profitable growth drivers are fully operational. In these markets, we are continuing to build our brands and our organisations, while at the same time laying the groundwork for future growth. This is the point of our various initiatives in the first half of 2013: the full integration of Central Laitière in Morocco, our partnerships with COFCO and Mengniu to expand the fresh dairy product category in China, our move into the promising organic baby nutrition segment with the acquisition of Happy Family in the United States, as well as the strategic partnership we’ve just finalised with Starbucks.
“Our teams at Danone are tackling the second half of the year with the same energy, attitude and ambition, focusing on building a Group with strong, sustainable and profitable growth for 2014 and on meeting our 2013 targets.”
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Source: Groupe Danone
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