Nestlé It is the largest food company in the world. Founded and based in Vevey, Nestlé originated in 1905 a merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by the brothers George and Page Charles, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé. The company grew significantly during World War I and again after World War II , eventually expanding its offering beyond its first condensed milk and infant formula products. Today, the company operates in 86 countries worldwide, and employs more than 280,000 people.
Chronology
- 1905: * Nestlé is the result of the 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk company, founded in 1866, with (Farine Lactee) Nestlé SA., Founded in 1867 by Henri Nestlé, who invented a product that continues to save lives to children and newborns – an infant formula for babies whose mothers cannot breastfeed.
- 1929: Nestlé teamed up with Peter-Cailler-Kohler. Daniel Peter, who was a neighbor of Henri Nestlé, was one of the founders of Peter-Cailler-Kohler who invented milk chocolate in 1875.
- 1938: Nescafé was invented in this year. It quickly manages to be recognized worldwide as the coffee preferred by the American Armed Forces during World War II.
- 1947: In 1947, Nestlé teamed up with Alimentana, the Maggi Company, which had invented dehydrated soups the previous century.
- 1962: Nestlé acquires Findus, which begins the path of refrigerated food, which, as is known, has undergone an extraordinary expansion.
- 1969: Nestlé acquired 30% of Vittel, opening the way to the mineral water market.
- 2001: The acquisition of the Ralston Purina company further strengthens the company’s position as a major player internationally in the pet food market.
- 2002: Chef America and Schöller were acquired, and thus contributed to consolidating an important position in the ice cream sector.
- 1971: The Milk Condenser, designed by Henry Nestlé, is created. During the 1970s, there was intense activity of consolidation and expansion at the international level.
- 1977: In this year, the company experimented for the first time with businesses other than food. Buy Alcon Laboratories, the world’s largest producer of ophthalmic medicine and instruments for eye care.
- 1985: The 1980s ushered in an important and strategic period of expansion for Nestlé. This era began with the acquisition of Carnation Co., making the condensed milk segment even larger in the company. In that same year, with Friskies, he began to venture into the world of pet food.
- 1987: Vittel is fully acquired, as mineral water had become a strategic business.
- 1988: The acquisition of Buitoni-Perugina, the third largest food company in Italy, opened Nestlé doors to the market for popular Italian cuisine.
- 1992: The Perrier Group was acquired this year, however Nestlé has been active in mineral waters since 1969, and the acquisition of San Pellegrino in 1997 helped further strengthen its position.
