Nestlé: Nestlé Corporate Business Principles (PDF, 1 MB)
Nestlé: Nestlé Corporate Business Principles (PDF, 1 MB)
Nestlé: Nestlé Corporate Business Principles (PDF, 1 MB)
The Nestlé Corporate Business Principles (pdf, 1 Mb) are at the basis of our company’s
culture, developed over 140 years, which reflects the ideas of fairness, honesty and long-
term thinking.
Nestlé
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Nestlé S.A.
History of Nestlé
In 1874 the Nestlé Company was purchased by Jules Monnerat. Nestlé developed its
own condensed milk to contend with its competitor, the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk
Company. The Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company made products like cheese and
instant formulas. The two companies merged in 1905, the year after Nestlé added
chocolate to its line of foods. The newly formed Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Milk Company
had factories in the United States, Britain, Spain and Germany. Soon the company was
full-scale manufacturing in Australia with warehouses in Singapore, Hong Kong and
Bombay. Most production still took place in Europe.
The start of World War I made it difficult for Nestlé to buy raw ingredients and distribute
products. Fresh milk was scarce in Europe, and factories had to sell milk for the public
need instead of using it as an ingredient in foods. Nestlé purchased several factories in
the U.S. to keep up with the increasing demand for condensed milk and dairy products
via government contracts. The company’s production doubled by the end of the war.
When fresh milk became available again after the war, Nestlé suffered and slipped into
debt. The price of ingredients was increasing, the economy has slowed and exchange
rates deteriorated because of the war.
An expert banker helped Nestlé find ways to reduce its debt. By the 1920s Nestlé was
creating new chocolate and powdered beverage products. Adding to the product line
once again, Nestlé developed Nescafé in the 1930s and Nestea followed. Nescafé, a
soluble powder, revolutionized coffee drinking and became an instant hit.
With the onset of the Second World War, profits plummeted. Switzerland was neutral in
the war and became increasingly isolated in Europe. Many of Nestlé’s executive officers
were transferred to offices in the U.S. Because of distribution problems in Europe and
Asia, Nestlé opened factories in developing countries in Latin America. Production
increased dramatically after America entered the war. Nescafé became a main beverage
for the American servicemen in Europe and Asia. Total sales increased by $125 million
from 1938 to 1945.
Expanding its product line outside of the food market, Nestlé became a major
stockholder in L’Oréal cosmetics in 1974. Soon after the company suffered with
increasing oil prices and the slowing growth in industrialized countries. Foreign
exchange rates decreased, in turn reducing the value of sterling, the pound, dollar and
franc. Prices of coffee beans and cocoa rose radically, presenting further problems for
Nestlé. The company decided to venture into the pharmaceutical industry by acquiring
Alcon Laboratories, Inc. While trying to deal with unstable economic conditions and
exploring its new ventures, Nestlé faced the crisis of an international boycott.
Many organized groups began boycotting all of Nestlé’s products because they
disapproved of Nestlé marketing its baby formula in developing countries. Problems like
illiteracy and poverty caused some mothers to use less formula than recommended. In a
watered down formula, vital nutrients are lessoned. Contaminated water presented
another problem, since the formulas had to be mixed with water. The organizations
argued that the misuse of formula resulted in the malnutrition or death of many infants in
developing countries.
According to Nestlé the World Health Organization never made statements tying infant
death or malnutrition with baby formulas. The company didn’t deny the superiority of
breastfeeding and agreed that substituting breast milk for other substances could be
very dangerous. Nestlé explained that breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers in
developing countries often gave their babies whole cow’s milk, tea, cornstarch, rice
water or a mix of flour and water. These alternatives were very unhealthy and a
nutritional baby formula was a better choice. Nestlé says that it has never discouraged
breastfeeding when it was possible. Nestlé agreed to follow the International Code in
developing countries in 1984, and the boycott was suspended. It resumed several years
later when the organizations believed Nestlé was sending free or low cost baby formulas
to developing countries. Nestlé said it only sent formula to countries that allow donations
for orphans, multiple births, and babies with no access to breast milk. The company has
stopped all public advertising for formula in developing countries for almost 20 years.
The boycott continues to some extent to this day without satisfactory resolution.
By the 1980s Nestlé had a new Chief Executive Officer. The company focused on
improving its financial situation and continuing to expand. In the one of the largest
takeovers at that time, Nestlé bought Carnation for $3 billion and parted with any
unprofitable businesses. International trade barriers diminished in the 1990s, opening
trade with parts of Europe and China. In the 1990s Nestlé acquired San Pellegrino, and
Spillers Petfoods of the UK. With the acquisition of Ralston Purina in 2002, the Nestlé-
owned pet care businesses joined to form the industry leader Nestlé Purina PetCare.
The leading in the food industry, Nestlé brings in $81 billion in overall sales and has 470
factories around the world. Nestlé will continue to grow, introduce new products and
renovate existing ones. The company’s mission is to focus on long-term potential over
short-term performance.