Weekly Digest: Nestlé Waters and Dr Pepper Snapple make sustainability pledges, Scotland welcomes minimum pricing of alcohol

04 May 2018 --- This week in business, Nestlé Waters North America took a major step towards Nestlé’s global goal to transition to 100-percent renewable electricity use in its operations. Dr Pepper Snapple Group is funding recycling efforts in the US and ADM has been named on the Forbes 2018 list of America’s Best Employers. Meanwhile, Mondelēz announced that Paulette Alviti will join the company as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective June 11, Univar has appointed Kerry J. Preete as an independent director, effective May 2, 2018, and ADM also announced the election of its board of directors, including new director Michael S. Burke. Scotland approved the legislation of minimum pricing of alcohol in the country and Raisio has signed an agreement to sell its cattle feed business to Lantmännen Agro Oy.

In brief: Sustainability
Nestlé Waters North America, in partnership with SMUD, has announced agreements that will allow its facility in Sacramento, California to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. The deal is a significant step towards parent company Nestlé’s global goal to transition to 100-percent renewable electricity use in its operations. The clean, renewable electricity generated by SMUD will be used by Nestlé Waters North America to produce sustainably-sourced, healthy beverage options for Californians, including the company’s Arrowhead Brand Mountain Spring Water and Nestlé Pure Life Purified Water. By transitioning its electrical power needs to renewable sources, the carbon footprint of the Nestlé Waters factory will be reduced by more than 21,279 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next three years.

Public space recycling efforts in dozens of communities across the US will be getting a boost this spring thanks in part to a significant contribution by Dr Pepper Snapple Group in partnership with national non-profit Keep America Beautiful. In 2018, the Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant Program is funding 34 grants with a total distribution of 936 new recycling bins in public parks across the country, making recycling more accessible for Americans.

In brief: Recognition
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has been named on the Forbes 2018 list of America’s Best Employers, marking the second consecutive year that the company has received this recognition. ADM jumped 44 spots in the rankings to 366, from 410 in 2017.

In brief: Appointments & retirements
Mondelēz has announced that Paulette Alviti will join the company as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective June 11. In this role, Alviti will be responsible for the company’s human resources function worldwide, including leadership team development, talent management, capability building, organizational effectiveness, change management as well as diversity and inclusion.

Univar and its board of directors have appointed Kerry J. Preete as an independent director, effective May 2, 2018. Univar became a public company in 2015 and had increased the number of independent directors from two in 2015 to eight with this appointment.

ADM has also announced at its 95th Annual Stockholders’ Meeting the election of its board of directors, including new director Michael S. Burke. Burke is chairman and CEO of AECOM, which designs, builds, finances and operates infrastructure assets in more than 150 countries. Before his current position, Burke served as AECOM’s senior vice president of corporate strategy; chief corporate officer; chief financial officer; and president. Eleven incumbent directors were also re-elected, including Alan L. Boeckmann, Terrell K. Crews, Pierre Dufour, Donald E. Felsinger, Suzan F. Harrison, Juan R. Luciano, Patrick J. Moore, Francisco J. Sanchez, Debra A. Sandler, Daniel T. Shih and Kelvin R. Westbrook.

In brief: Other highlights
The price of cheap, high-strength alcohol has gone up in Scotland as long-awaited legislation on minimum pricing came into force earlier in the week. The law, which sets a floor price for drinks depending on how many units of alcohol they contain, was passed in 2012 but has faced legal challenges since. The Scottish government said the move would reduce alcohol consumption. White cider and own-brand vodka and whiskey are set to see the biggest rise in prices.

As of last month, Brenntag became the exclusive distribution partner for PureCircle stevia sweeteners throughout the UK and Ireland. Brenntag UK & Ireland, part of Brenntag Group, announced that the sales and marketing distribution partnership with PureCircle stevia products has been extended to the market of Ireland. Brenntag holds a strong foothold in the food and beverage industry in Ireland, and this extension of the exclusive distribution agreement provides an excellent platform to further grow PureCircle’s range of stevia sweeteners in the UK & Ireland.

Meanwhile, Raisio has signed an agreement to sell its cattle feed business to Lantmännen Agro Oy. The enterprise value is €34 million (US$40.7 million) and the arrangement will be conducted as a share transaction. Raisio’s cattle feed business is expected to transfer to the new owner during September 2018. The completion of the deal requires approval from the Finnish competition authorities. The fish feed business will continue as a substantial part of the Raisio Group.

On Thursday 3rd of May 2018, in the presence of The French Embassy in Egypt, Mr. Antoine Baule, CEO of Lesaffre and Walid Nasef – General Manager of Lesaffre Egypt, officially opened the new Baking Center of Lesaffre Egypt in Cairo. As a global key player in yeasts and fermentation, Lesaffre designs, manufactures and markets innovative solutions for Baking, Food taste & pleasure, Healthcare and Biotechnology.

Finally, Mane Kenya Ltd has opened its doors in the Watermark Bus Park, located in the leafy suburb of Karen, Nairobi. Mane Kenya Ltd is a regional head office for the East African market. The office boasts a technical laboratory, soon to be completed and supported by technical staff. The completion of the laboratory will be the first flavor application center for the region. This office will also include and service solutions for the meat industry across East Africa. This is the first collaboration through Mane’s strategic partnership with Cape Town-based Deli Spices, who is a leading supplier of ingredients to the general food and meat industry.

By Elizabeth Green

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com