About Danone

Danone S.A. operates as a food company worldwide. Divisions The company operates through four divisions: Fresh Dairy Products, Waters (production and distribution of packaged natural, flavored and vitamin-enriched water); Early Life Nutrition (production and distribution of specialized food for babies and young children to complement breast-feeding); and Medical Nutrition (production and distribution of specialized food for people afflicted with certain illnesses or frail elderly people). Fresh Dairy Products division This division produces and markets yogurts, fermented fresh dairy products, and specialized dairy products. This division’s main brands and product lines are so-called core business brands, which include basic fresh dairy products, such as plain and fruit yogurts; Greek-style yogurt lines, such as Oikos and Danio, which contain twice as much protein as standard yogurt; the Activia line, which is present in approximately 70 countries; the Actimel brand; brands aimed at children and preteens, such as Danonino, which have been replicated in approximately 50 countries (notably under the Fruchtswerge and Danoninho brand names), as well as Danimals in the United States, Serenito in Argentina or Tëma in Russia; functional brands, such as Danacol or Densia; indulgent lines, such as Danette, Fantasia, Danissimo or YoCrunch; and Vitalinea, also marketed under the Light & Fit, Taillefine or Ser brand names, which comprises the low-fat product lines. Strategy This division’s strategy consists of developing consumption of its products in all regions around the world. The strategy is based notably on strengthening the division’s main growth platforms, such as the United States, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco and South Africa, where consumption of Fresh Dairy Products offers strong growth potential; maintaining business volume in mature European countries, notably through product quality, constant product line renewal and innovation; and the development of new regions, in particular in Africa (in Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya) or Asia (notably in China through the strategic alliance forged with Mengniu in 2013). Waters division This division comprises the natural waters business along with Aquadrinks (waters flavored and vitamin-enriched with natural fruit juice extracts, fruit juice and vitamins). This division has international brands, such as evian, Volvic and Badoit and major local brands, such as Aqua in Indonesia, Mizone in China, Bonafont in Mexico, Villavicencio and Villa del Sur in Argentina, Fontvella and Lanjarón in Spain, and Zywiec Zdroj in Poland. Strategy This division’s strategy is based primarily on the development of bottled water and Aquadrinks consumption, notably through various measures, such as the promotion of hydration-related health benefits; long-term management and environmental protection of water resources; the development of a line of healthier natural beverages, alternatives to sodas and other sweetened beverages; and packaging innovation. Early Life Nutrition division This division focusses on the right nutrition in the first 1,000 days – from the start of pregnancy to two years of age –, aiming to positively influence short and long-term health outcomes. This division offers products, services and education to pregnant and breastfeeding women, and to infants and young children. The infant milk formula segment accounts for approximately 80% of this division’s activity. These products are available worldwide. The complementary foods segment (also known as ‘weaning foods’) is approximately 20%, and these products are available in selected European countries only. This division deploys various global brands (such as Aptamil and Nutrilon) and various local heritage brands (Cow & Gate, Bledina, Bebelac, Malyutka and Dumex). This division has 24 factories around the world and its products are available in 150 countries. This division collaborates with various healthcare professionals in the sector. Medical Nutrition division This division focuses mainly on dietary management of patients, both children and adults, who have been diagnosed with various medical conditions. Medical Nutrition products are designed primarily to treat malnutrition due to disease to satisfy special food needs dictated by the pathology. These products, majority of which are eligible for insurance reimbursement, are recommended or prescribed by healthcare professionals (doctors and medical personnel in hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies). Under the umbrella brand Nutricia, the company has a portfolio of brands marketed in various countries, including Nutrison (tube feeding for dietary management of patients who suffer from illness-related malnutrition and are unable to feed themselves normally), Fortimel/Fortisip (liquid oral nutritional supplements), Neocate (hypoallergenic products aimed at babies and children with dairy or multiple food protein allergies), and Nutrini/Infatrini (oral and feeding tube Medical Nutrition products adapted for the dietary treatment of babies and children who, due to illness, are incapable of feeding themselves normally or sufficiently. Strategy The company’s strategy consists of increasing its global coverage by establishing itself in new countries and developing various distribution channels. The company estimates that the medical nutrition market’s growth potential is significant, mainly as a result of the aging of the population in some countries, the increased awareness of the role of nutrition in health, the emergence of new illnesses and allergies, and the growing number of screening procedures enabling early management of afflicted patients. Distribution The company’s distribution models reflect two main approaches, such as distribution aimed at major retail chains and distribution to traditional commercial sales points. Moreover, a major portion of the products in the Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition markets are distributed through various specialized distribution channels, such as hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. The company also maintains an ongoing relationship with healthcare professionals through its medical representatives, who meet with general practitioners and specialists (pediatricians, nutritionists, etc.), as well as pharmacists. While the end customers of the company’s products are individual consumers, the company sells its products mainly to major retail and grocery chains. Competition The company’s competitors in its respective divisions include Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, Abbott, Mead Johnson, Fresenius, Lala, Yakult, and Biostime. History The company was formerly known as Groupe Danone and changed its name to Danone S.A. in 2009. The company was founded in 1899. It was incorporated in 1899.

Country
Industry:
Food and kindred products
Founded:
1899
IPO Date:
01/02/1992
ISIN Number:
I_FR0000120644
Address:
17, Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, Ile-de-France, 75009, France
Phone Number
33 1 44 35 20 20

Key Executives

CEO:
de Saint-Affrique, Antoine
CFO
Esser, Juergen
COO:
Agarwal, Vikram