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Nestlé

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FY2015 Annual Report · Nestlé
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Annual Review 2015

 
 
 
 
Our business

Nestlé has grown from a company founded 150 years ago 
to a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness.

Wherever you are in 
the world we have safe, 
nutritious products to 
help you care for yourself 
and your family. Our 
product portfolio has seven 
categories, offering you 
healthier and tastier choices 
at every stage of your life,  
at every time of the day.

Our growth has enabled 
us to help improve the 
lives of millions of people 
through the products 
and services we provide, 
and through employment, 
our supplier networks 
and the contribution we 
make to economies around 
the world.

What we sell (in CHF billion)

Powdered and 
Liquid Beverages

Nutrition and 
Health Science

Milk products 
and Ice cream

Prepared dishes 
and cooking aids

19.2

14.9

14.6

12.6

PetCare

Confectionery

Water

11.5

8.9

7.1

Where we sell (in CHF billion)

EMENA

27.5

AOA

22.2

AMS

39.1

Number of employees

Number of countries we sell in

335 000

189

Total group salaries and social  
welfare expenses (in CHF)

Corporate taxes paid in 2015 
(in CHF)

16 billion

3.3 billion

Our commitments

Our 39 commitments in the Nestlé in society report guide all of us 
at Nestlé in our collective efforts to meet specific objectives. 

For a company to prosper 
over the long term and create 
value for shareholders, it 
must create value for society 
at the same time. We call  
this Creating Shared Value. 
On the right is a selection  
of key achievements from 
each CSV focus area.

Nutrition, health and wellness

192 billion

8041

Number of servings of fortified 
foods provided worldwide

Number of products renovated for 
nutrition or health considerations

Rural development

760 000

10 950

Number of farmers supplying 
directly to Nestlé

Total number of Tier 1 suppliers 
audited from 2010–2015

Water

41.2%

Cumulative reduction since 2005 
of direct water withdrawals per tonne 
of product in every product category

7.7 million m3

Quantity of water in our operations 
either recycled or reused

Environmental sustainability

42.7%

105

Cumulative reduction since 2005 
of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Number of factories achieving 
zero waste for disposal

Our people, human rights  
and compliance

6049

34%

Number of work opportunities 
offered to young people by Nestlé 
in Europe

Percentage of women holding 
leadership roles

Contents

2

8

Letter to our shareholders

The strategy

12

The highlights

32

The future

38
40
44
51
52

54
55
56
58
60
61

Financial review
Group overview
Product category and operating segment review
Principal risks and uncertainties
Factories

Corporate Governance and Compliance
Corporate Governance
Board of Directors of Nestlé S.A.
Executive Board of Nestlé S.A.
Compliance
Shareholder information

Accompanying reports

Nestlé in society
Creating Shared Value and
meeting our commitments 2015

Corporate Governance Report 2015
Compensation Report 2015
Financial Statements 2015

Nestlé in society 
Creating Shared Value  
and meeting our  
commitments 2015

Corporate Governance Report 2015
Compensation Report 2015
Financial Statements 2015

Our performance 

Our performance is driven by our Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy, 
the engine of our value creation.

In 2015 we delivered 
profitable growth at the 
higher end of the industry 
in what is still a challenging 
environment. This profitable 
growth was on the back  
of consistent performances 
in previous years. On the 
right is a summary of the 
results we achieved during 
the year.

Group sales (in CHF)

Organic growth

Real internal growth

88.8 billion

4.2%

2.2%

Trading operating  
profit (in CHF)

Trading operating  
profit margin

Trading operating  
profit margin

13.4 billion

15.1%

+10 
basis points

Constant currencies

Earnings per share 
(in CHF)

Underlying earnings  
per share

2.90

+6.5%

Constant currencies

Operating cash flow 
(in CHF)

Free cash flow 
(in CHF)

14.3 billion

9.9 billion

92.7% of net financial debt

Proposed dividend 
(in CHF)

Proposed dividend 
increase

2.25

+2.3%

1

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Letter to our shareholders

Dear fellow shareholder,

In 2015 we built on the consistent, sustainable performance of previous years, 
delivering growth in a difficult and volatile trading environment. Our 2015 
performance was driven by the relevance of our Nutrition, Health and Wellness 
strategy, which represents our engine of value creation and which we continue  
to execute effectively.

We delivered organic growth of 4.2%, composed of real internal growth of 2.2% 
and pricing of 2.0%. Sales were CHF 88.8 billion, impacted by foreign exchange  
of –7.4%. The Group’s trading operating profit was CHF 13.4 billion with a margin  
of 15.1%, down 20 basis points on a reported basis affected by the strong Swiss 
Franc, up 10 basis points in constant currencies. This performance was achieved 
while we again increased substantially our investment in brand support, digital, 
research and development, and our new nutrition and health platforms. Net profit 
was CHF 9.1 billion. The reduction of CHF 5.4 billion versus last year was mostly  
due to the one-off impact from the disposal in 2014 of part of the L’Oréal stake 
combined with the revaluation of the Galderma stake. There was also some effect 
from foreign exchange. Earnings per share at CHF 2.90 were down 36.1% for the 
same reasons. Underlying earnings per share in constant currencies increased  
by 6.5%. The Group’s operating cash flow remained strong at CHF 14.3 billion and 
free cash flow was CHF 9.9 billion or 11.2% of sales. In view of this performance  
and the company’s strong financial position, the Board is proposing a dividend of   
CHF 2.25 per share up from CHF 2.20 last year. During the year we completed  
a share buyback of CHF 8 billion. It is worth noting that since 1942 your company 
has never reduced the dividend paid to its shareholders. In fact, the dividend has 
increased every year since 1995.

Based on our solid and consistent record in delivering growth at the higher end 
of the industry, we are confident we can continue to deliver on our long-term 
commitment: organic growth of 5% to 6% with improvements in margins and 
underlying earnings per share in constant currencies, and capital efficiency. There 
will be years when we exceed this ambition and years when we come close, but  
this is the profitable growth line we walk over time.

2016 marks the 150th anniversary of our company and we will celebrate 150 years 
of passion for Nutrition, Health and Wellness. Our founder Henri Nestlé’s 
determination, commitment and pioneering spirit have inspired our people around 
the world to develop and apply scientific and nutritional know-how to enhance the 
quality of life of our consumers and those they care for. This passion for nutrition 

2

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman (left), and Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer (right). 

3

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Letter to our shareholders

will continue to guide the development of our company in the future and will 
further strengthen our determination to bring Good Food, Good Life to billions of 
consumers around the world. It is with this conviction that we have made public 
commitments to further improve the nutritional profile of our products by reducing 
the amount of salt, sugar and saturated fats, and remove trans fats completely. 
Thanks to our unique global Research and Development capabilities, we are on 
track to meet these promises.

In addition, we are extending the boundaries of our business beyond our food and 
beverages portfolio to fully realise our Nutrition, Health and Wellness ambitions. In 
2011 we created Nestlé Health Science to exploit the therapeutic role of nutrition 
with an innovative pipeline of products designed to make a major contribution to the 
health of different populations. Then, in 2014 we created Nestlé Skin Health which 
is helping people meet the needs of their skin at every stage of life’s journey with 
products to protect, serve and enhance skin health. It is our size and our scale that 
allows us to invest heavily in these new areas that have the potential, over the long 
term, to offer great benefits to society.

For our business to prosper over the long term, we must deliver value to you, our 
shareholders, as well as to the communities in which we operate and to society as a 
whole. This is what we call Creating Shared Value. This is how we go about running 
and developing our business. This is how we build trust over time. Our full set of 
39 public commitments provide the framework for our engagement with society. 

We build trust by providing our consumers with products and services of the 
highest quality and safety. We build trust with every consumer contact we make  
as this is the basis of our future success, particularly as consumers and the public  
in a digital world enjoy full transparency on all aspects of the life of the company  
and are consequently more demanding. When trust is challenged, such as in India 
with Maggi or in the United States with Beneful, we act swiftly and decisively to  
deal with the issue. Maintaining the trust of consumers is a non-negotiable priority 
for our company.

In 2015 we continued our portfolio management, designed to ensure the right 
resource allocation and maximise the growth opportunities in every category. As 
part of this process we divested our Davigel frozen food business and announced 
our intention to build a strong player in the ice cream industry by setting up a joint 
venture with R&R Ice Cream, a leading European ice cream company. This and 
other developments were examined during the Board of Directors’ annual strategy 
review. The Board also examined the company’s R&D strategy and reviewed the 

4

Nestlé Annual Review 2015major acquisitions of the last few years as well as the company’s business in China. 
Reflecting our belief in the importance of our people, the Board also considered 
our progress in diversity and gender balance. For the first time in 2015 we sought 
the approval of the Annual General Meeting for the compensation of the Board of 
Directors and the Executive Board as the new Swiss ‘say on pay’ law required. All 
the proposals were passed with large majorities. We believe the approach we have 
taken in this area is in line with both the law and with the spirit of the law. 

During the year Nandu Nandkishore, Executive Vice President in charge of Zone 
Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa, took early retirement after a long and 
distinguished career with Nestlé. The Board of Directors appointed Wan Ling 
Martello to succeed him in that role and François-Xavier Roger to succeed her as 
Chief Financial Officer. Also José Lopez, Executive Vice President in charge  
of Operations, took a well-deserved retirement after 36 years of dedicated service  
to the Group. He was succeeded by Magdi Batato who was most recently the 
Market Head of Pakistan. We would like to thank Nandu, José and all of those who 
retired during the year for their contributions and extend our best wishes for a  
long and happy retirement.

As we embark on our next 150 years of passion for nutrition, we thank you, our 
shareholders, for your continued trust in Nestlé. Thanks to your support, our 
clear strategic direction, our balanced portfolio, strong innovation pipeline and  
commitment to quality and to building trust, we continue to prosper. We would 
like to thank all our 335 000 employees whose hard work, alignment behind our 
Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy and commitment to Nestlé enable us to 
deliver on our promises. By fulfilling the expectations of consumers in meaningful 
ways each day, they ensure that your company continues to generate the profitable 
growth that you, our shareholders, rightfully expect. 

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe  
Chairman

Paul Bulcke 
Chief Executive Officer

5

Nestlé Annual Review 20156

Nestlé Annual Review 2015We are the leading 
Nutrition, Health and 
Wellness company.

We enhance lives 
with science-based 
nutrition and health 
solutions for all 
stages of life, helping 
consumers care 
for themselves and 
their families.

7

Nestlé Annual Review 2015The strategy

With our Nutrition, Health 
and Wellness strategy we 
support people who want 
to live a healthier lifestyle. 
Industry-leading research and 
development drives innovation 
and supports the constant 
renovation of our food and 
beverage portfolio. In addition, 
our researchers are exploring 
the role of nutritional therapies 
to maintain or improve health 
and investigating how we can 
help people look after their 
skin. By sharing our insights 
on global Nutrition, Health 
and Wellness challenges, by 
building partnerships and by 
engaging with policymakers, 
stakeholders and key opinion 
leaders we strive to have 
a positive impact on the 
societies in which we operate. 

We empower people to make informed decisions 
when they choose what to eat. Through Start 
Healthy Stay Healthy, our interactive, science-
based education programme, we help parents 
and caregivers provide their children with the 
nutrition they need in the crucial first 1000 days 
of life. Our United for Healthier Kids programme, 
takes this further, helping parents and caregivers 
establish healthier eating, drinking and lifestyle 
habits for children as they get older, and our 
Nestlé Healthy Kids programme is helping to 

8

Nestlé Annual Review 20159

Nestlé Annual Review 2015In addition, we have set out six strategic 
priorities. Firstly, Make Choices: put resources 
behind the ideas, products and categories that 
help us on our journey to recognised Nutrition, 
Health and Wellness leadership, and to deliver 
sustained financial performance. Secondly, Grasp 
Opportunities: see the opportunity in change 
and trends, and translate them into concrete 
business opportunities. The third is Value What 
Consumers Value: all that we do should create 
value for consumers and drive out waste. Fourth, 
Engage with Stakeholders: we want to be trusted 
by all consumers and stakeholders as a genuine 
and responsible member of the community. Fifth, 
Embrace Digital: deepen the connection with 
consumers through the growing e-commerce 
channel and through real-time listening, 
engagement and dialogue. Sixth is Win through 
People and Teams: we need the right people with 
the right capabilities and effective leadership at all 
levels to engage, empower and enable everyone 
to give their best.

As we strive to become a more agile and 
higher-performing organisation we ensure that 
we embed our strong culture and values across 
all our operating companies, especially those 
that are newly acquired, all within the framework 
of compliance which governs all that we do. We 
take a long-term view, framed in a robust set of 
principles and values that are based on respect: 
respect for people, respect for future generations, 
respect for the environment and respect for the 
diverse world we live in.

The strategy

deliver a healthier lifestyle for children by teaching 
nutrition and encouraging physical activity.

We are on track to deliver on our commitments 
to reduce the amount of salt, sugar and saturated 
fats in our products and remove trans fats, 
while maintaining consumer preference. We are 
enhancing our portion guidance and improving 
our labelling, printing GDAs (Guideline Daily 
Amounts) on the front of packs, making it easier 
for people to read them.

In recent years we have reinforced and 
expanded our Nutrition, Health and Wellness 
strategy with the creation of Nestlé Health 
Science and Nestlé Skin Health. Nestlé Health 
Science is advancing the role of nutritional 
therapy to change the course of health for 
consumers, patients and for our partners in 
healthcare. With Nestlé Skin Health we are 
entering the field of specialised medical skin 
treatment by offering science-based solutions for 
the health of skin, hair and nails over the course  
of people’s lives.

We strive to meet the fast-changing 

expectations of our consumers because like 
them, we care deeply about quality, food safety, 
the environment and sustainability. Responsible 
behaviour wherever we operate is at the very 
heart of what we do. It is our fundamental belief 
that for a company to prosper over the long term 
we need to create value for shareholders while at 
the same time creating value for society. We call 
this Creating Shared Value. Trusted leadership 
in Nutrition, Health and Wellness is our strategic 
ambition, Creating Shared Value is how we go 
about it. The inclusion of the Nestlé in society 
report, alongside this Annual Review and the 
Financial Statements in the 2015 Annual Report 
package, reflects how Creating Shared Value 
is fully embedded into internal management 
processes and the way we do business. 

The Nestlé Strategic Roadmap (illustrated 

opposite) is the compass that guides our 
organisation, driving internal alignment behind 
our goals. The roadmap shows how we deliver 
profitable growth, the competitive advantages 
that we leverage and the organisation we have 
chosen, in order to be effective and efficient. It is 
the framework that we use to establish priorities 
and drive execution. 

10

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Operational 
pillars

Innovation 
and renovation

e – Sustain a b ilit y

c
n
a
i
l
p
m
o
C

Whenever,
wherever, 
however

Operational
efficiency

Growth 
drivers

Out-of-home 
consumption

Premiumisation

Nutrition, 
Health and 
Wellness

Emerging 
markets and
Popularly 
Positioned 
Products

C

r

e

a

t
i

n

g

S

h

a

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e

d

V
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u
e

Our objective is to be the 
leader in Nutrition, Health and 
Wellness, and the industry 
reference for financial 
performance, trusted 
by all stakeholders

Consumer
engagement

N

e

stlé culture, values   a n d   p r i n

c i p le s

Unmatched
product
and brand
portfolio

People, 
culture, values 
and attitude

Unmatched 
geographic 
presence

Unmatched 
research 
and development 
capability

Competitive 
advantages

11

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
 
The highlights

 ‘Good Food, Good Life’ is 
the commitment we make 
every day, in every part of the 
world. We have more than 
2000 brands in our portfolio, 
from global icons to local 
favourites. We help people 
live more enjoyable, healthier 
lives, leveraging 150 years of 
passion for nutrition to bring 
them products and services 
they can trust.

On the following pages we highlight the innovation 
and renovation of our portfolio over the past year. 
We begin with the two newest parts of our 
business. Nestlé Health Science champions the 
role of nutritional therapies that have proven 
clinical benefits. Nestlé Skin Health offers 
science-based solutions to care for the skin, hair 
and nails. These businesses build on the strong 
foundations of our food and beverage business, 
and in the following pages we also highlight the 
new ways we are engaging with consumers in 
these areas. In 2015 we reported sales of 
CHF 88.8 billion. We report our sales numbers by 
category, and the review of the food and beverage 
portfolio follows the same approach.

12

Nestlé Annual Review 201513

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science’s portfolio is focused on 
helping to address key challenges our society 
faces: how to age healthily, how to maintain 
brain health and gastrointestinal health, and 
how to support those born with inborn errors of 
metabolism. Its business is organised into three 
main areas.

Consumer Care covers products people pay 
for themselves in a pharmacy, a retail outlet or 
via websites. In North America, the main brand 
is Boost, intended for consumers who want to 
live physically and mentally active lives but who 
struggle to get the right amount of nutrition. Two 
new additions to the range, Boost Compact and 
Boost Calorie Smart 100 calories, were launched 
during the year in the US. In Europe, the Meritene 
range of products, which addresses various 
health challenges from bone, muscle and joint 
health to helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue, 
was rolled out to new countries. 

40

high-potential 
projects give NHS 
a strong innovation 
pipeline

Boost products can be a mini meal or  
a between-meal snack. They contain  
high-quality protein and 26 vitamins and 
minerals, including calcium and vitamin D.

Medical Nutrition is Nestlé Health Science’s 
largest business and covers products 
recommended by healthcare professionals  
and mainly reimbursed by insurers or served  
in institutions. One key focus area is acute  
care with a range of nutritional solutions for  
critically-ill people and for older people  
suffering from disease-related malnutrition  

14

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Health Science was created with the bold ambition to seize opportunities in nutritional science and focus on advancing the role of nutritional therapy to change the course of health management for consumers and patients, and in the minds and practices  of healthcare providers. It is supported by the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences which researches how nutrition can empower people to improve and maintain their health.or swallowing difficulties. Another key focus 
area is food allergy and intolerances. One range 
of products, Althéra, Alfaré and Alfamino, can 
be used to provide nutrition for infants who are 
allergic to cow’s milk protein. Another, Vitaflo, 
provides ‘diets for life’ for those suffering 
from inborn errors of metabolism who require 
specialised nutrition to survive and grow.

Novel Therapeutic Nutrition is a business  

in the making, focused on gastrointestinal 
health and brain health. One area of focus is 
inflammatory bowel disease where the  
standard treatment involves either drug therapy  
or surgery. The company is developing  
two new nutritional therapies that can be  
used as an ‘add-on’ to standard drug  
treatment, developed as medical foods.

Nestlé Health Science benefits from a strong 

innovation pipeline with forty high-potential 
projects on the way. As part of the Nestlé 
Group it can leverage Nestlé’s route to market, 
innovation capabilities and unrivalled Research 
and Development network. A new Nestlé Product 
Technology Centre will be established in New 
Jersey, United States, dedicated to accelerating 
innovation in Nestlé Health Science’s three main 
business areas.

The company also has a strong external 
innovation network, allowing it to exploit the 
best scientific and technological know-how. It 
has invested in the most advanced microbiome 
technology company, Seres Therapeutics, and 
in Lipid Therapeutics, a company developing a 
novel therapy to address ulcerative colitis. It has 
also expanded its venture capital partnership 
with Flagship Ventures which helps launch 
transformative start-ups in therapeutics and 
health technologies.

Breastfeeding is best for babies, but for those 
who are fed with infant formula, Nestlé Health 
Science has a hypoallergenic range for the 
dietary management of cow’s milk allergy. 

15

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Skin Health

The skin, our largest organ, protects us from 
harmful environmental factors, acts as an 
envelope for the body and can influence the way 
we interact with the world. Other people look at 
our skin and it shapes their perception of who we 
are. We look at our skin and it influences our view 
of ourselves and our sense of well-being.

Today, as people live longer, their needs 
and expectations are changing. We all want to 
look and feel good, and to play an active role 
in society. To do this best, our skin needs to 
overcome the challenges of time as it ages. Nestlé 
Skin Health’s innovative products and solutions 
strive to protect, nourish and enhance healthy 
skin and, when needed, treat, correct and restore 
compromised skin.

Some three thousand skin diseases have 
been identified, more than for any other organ 
of the body. Galderma is the Medical Solutions 
business of Nestlé Skin Health and works closely 
with the healthcare community to ensure it has 
a clear understanding of patients’ needs and can 
respond effectively. 

In acne, for example, Galderma can deliver 

drugs like Epiduo, the number one topical 
prescription drug treatment for acne worldwide. 
Galderma is committed to partnering with 
physicians to provide new and effective options 
while, where the market allows, increasing  
access to treatment by offering self-medication 
solutions available in pharmacies. This approach 
offers healthcare professionals a range of 
products that they can prescribe or recommend 
with total confidence. 

We are witnessing a significant shift in the 
mainstream perception of well-being. These 
trends are driving strong growth in the Aesthetic 

16

European Union approval was granted early  
in the year for Soolantra, a novel solution  
to treat lesions of rosacea, further reinforcing 
the portfolio. 

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Skin Health’s mission is to enhance the quality of life by delivering science-based solutions for the health of skin, hair and nails. Nestlé Skin Health conducts ground-breaking research to provide both the healthcare community and the consumer with  an ongoing progression of innovative technologies and products  to protect, serve and enhance skin health. and Corrective dermatology category and 
Galderma is well-positioned to meet this demand. 
Our portfolio consists of medical products used 
for minimally and non-invasive procedures to 
restore and enhance the appearance of the 
skin, administered by a qualified healthcare 
professional. Our Restylane product, the leader  
in its category, was launched nearly twenty  
years ago.

Based on leading consumer brands such 
as our Cetaphil range of skincare products and 
our Daylong sun protection line, the newly 
formed Consumer Skin Health business aims to 
bring science-based innovation to the broader 
market, leveraging the company’s insights and 
scientific expertise. Healthcare needs will evolve 
and change as the global population of people 
over-60 is predicted to grow to 1 billion by 2020, 
and this will impact the demands on and the role 
of healthcare professionals. As a response to 
this challenge, Nestlé Skin Health has launched 
several key initiatives to help contribute towards 
research, education and the development of 
solutions for life-long health.

Cetaphil Baby is a range of products that are 
hypoallergenic and formulated to protect and nourish 
the delicate skin of infants and young children. 

17

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Food and Beverage

Powdered and 
Liquid Beverages

Milk products 
and Ice cream

18

Nestlé Annual Review 2015We enhance lives by offering tastier and healthier food and beverage choices for all stages of life and at any time of the day, helping consumers care for themselves and their families. Our food and beverage portfolio is the core of our business, the essence of our strategy. The portfolio is wider than any other in the food industry and offers everything from Popularly Positioned Products for consumers on low incomes to premium products and services for those who want an indulgent moment of pleasure.Prepared dishes 
and cooking aids

Nestlé Nutrition

PetCare

Confectionery

Water

19

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Powdered and 
Liquid Beverages

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 19.2 billion

+ 5.4%

+ 3.1%

21.3%

Trading operating profit margin

– 180 basis points 

Nestlé is the global leader in coffee, uniquely 
positioned with two strong brands Nescafé 
and Nespresso, offering consumers a complete 
range of products, systems and services across 
all channels. This is a category we have built 
and shaped over many years and which we will 
continue to shape in the future. Nescafé is the 
world’s favourite coffee brand. One fifth of the 
30 000 cups of coffee served each second around 
the world today are cups of Nescafé. Meanwhile, 
our premium coffee brand Nespresso has 
redefined and revolutionised the way people enjoy 
espresso coffee and continues to grow globally, 
capitalising on the significant development of the 
portioned coffee segment. 

The Nescafé ‘REDvolution’ continues to build 
brand equity for the Nescafé brand, aligning and 
enhancing the brand communication in every 
market with the brand line ‘It all starts with a 
Nescafé’. The growth is supported by the global 
success of the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system 
(now in 84 countries around the world) and 
the beverage business of Nestlé Professional 
which serves the out-of-home industry. A new 
manufacturing facility making Nescafé Dolce 
Gusto capsules has opened in the south east of 
Brazil, the first outside of Europe, underscoring 
Nestlé’s confidence in the coffee market across 
Latin America. Nespresso inaugurated a new 
factory in Switzerland during the year to satisfy 
growing world demand for its capsules and 
support its expansion plan in North America 
where its VertuoLine system is pioneering a new 
segment of highest-quality, long-cup, freshly-
brewed coffee.

Worldwide demand for coffee continues to 
grow, and our coffee businesses are focused 
on ensuring that sustainably-sourced, good-
quality supplies are available so that everyone, 
everywhere can enjoy a great cup of coffee. The 

20

Nespresso’s Suluja ti South Sudan is the first 
coffee exported from the world’s newest 
nation, after a four year effort to revive 
production there. 

6000

cups of Nescafé coffee 
are served around  
the world each second

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nescafé Plan, a global initiative bringing together 
Nestlé’s commitments and activities that support 
responsible farming, production and supply of 
coffee celebrated its five year anniversary during 
2015. The Nespresso brand’s strong commitment 
to sourcing the highest-quality coffee in the 
world is evident in its project to revive the coffee 
industry in South Sudan. The first exports from 
the new nation, the result of a partnership with 
local farmers and a non-profit organisation, 
TechnoServe, led to the creation of a new Limited 
Edition addition to Nespresso’s Grand Cru range. 
Consumer demand continues to evolve with 

younger consumers in particular looking for 
greater variety and sophistication based on their 
out-of-home experience in coffee shops or bars. 
Nescafé is responding with innovations like the 
new flagship coffee houses Nescafé Harajuku in 
Tokyo and Nescafé Itaewon in Seoul that offer 
interactive displays and new coffee creations 
inspired by the local trendsetting communities. 
In the Austrian city of Vienna, Nespresso has 
opened the first Nespresso Café, combining a 
premium coffee shop and takeaway service with 
the Nespresso Cube that uses robotic technology 
to prepare an order from the Grand Crus or 
Limited Edition range in a matter of seconds.

Innovation is helping to drive demand for the 
creamer brand Coffee-mate with the all-natural 
variety of Natural Bliss, and Coffee-mate 2GO, 
a conveniently sized portable creamer for 
out-of-home usage. The creamer category had 
dipped slightly during the recession in the United 
States but has since made a strong comeback 
with more consumers opting for flavoured 
creamers than ever before. Meanwhile, the 
advanced technology of Nestlé’s premium-
portioned capsule tea system Special.T, along 
with its range of more than 30 varieties of tea and 
herbal tea, are now available in Japan and seven 
European countries. Special.T was the company’s 
third major innovation in capsule beverage 
systems after Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce 
Gusto. The system offers a selection of fine teas 
sourced from the top 1% of the world’s tea farms.

Nescafé Koumibaisen is a super premium 
range of coffee rejuvenated in 2015 with 
freshly brewed aroma and taste to appeal to 
drinkers who prefer ‘roast and ground’ coffee.

More information about how Nespresso’s AAA 
Sustainable Quality Program and also the Nescafé 
Plan help farmers can be found on page 25 of the 
Nestlé in society report.

Coffee-mate 2GO, a portable creamer that 
does not need refrigeration, is an opportunity 
to align the brand with the ‘always on-the-go’ 
attitude of millennials. 

21

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Milk products 
and Ice cream

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 14.6 billion

+1.7%

+1.3%

16.9%

Trading operating profit margin

+180 basis points 

Across the globe, Nestlé’s heritage dairy brands, 
which are often children’s first experience of a 
Nestlé product, represent a strong foundation for 
the company’s continued growth. Dairy products 
are considered to be essential for good health in 
many cultures. At Nestlé, we leverage the best 
of our science and product expertise to provide 
families with both nutritionally enriched milk 
products and delicious dairy treats. Today, we 
offer dairy products to support healthy diets at all 
stages of life, from early childhood to old age.

While our dairy products have many natural 
nutritional benefits, such as provision of calcium, 
sometimes they need to do more. At Nestlé, 
we are proud to offer affordable dairy products 
that also help to address local micronutrient 
deficiencies, particularly in developing countries. 
Milk is naturally rich in calcium and a good carrier 
of micronutrient fortification, making it a viable, 
long-term way to deliver more nutrition to large 
segments of the population.

590 million

bottles of Nestlé Milo 
Nutri G will be produced  
each year by our new 
factory in Malaysia

The Nestlé range of children’s milk brands  
has been developed to offer the energy, protein 
and micronutrients needed by growing  
children. To make these products accessible for 
lower-income groups, Nestlé makes these milks 
available in affordable formats. These products 
are also fortified with iron, zinc, vitamin A and 
other micronutrients as appropriate for the 
micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in each 

22

One glass of Nido Golden Start has all the 
essential breakfast nutrients needed to 
prepare children for an active day at school.

Nestlé Annual Review 2015area. Nido Golden Start was launched in Mexico 
to coincide with the start of the back-to-school 
season. Each glass contains milk, cereals  
and fruit, and provides proteins, calcium,  
vitamin C and fibre. It is designed for children 
who skip breakfast because they are in a rush, 
estimated to be one in five of the school age 
population in the country.

Another innovation with strong Nutrition, 
Health and Wellness credentials, Nestlé Milo 
Nutri G, is a blend of four whole grains (oats, 
barley, brown rice and wheat) with malt, milk  
and cocoa in a ready-to-drink format newly 
launched in Malaysia. It is aimed at young adults 
who want the convenience of a ready-to-drink 
product and the Nestlé Milo taste they grew up 
with, and who recognise the health benefits of 
whole grain. In Brazil this year we launched new 
Nesfit non-dairy beverages, including a whole 
grain rice and whole grain oat drink designed to 
be drunk plain or added to breakfast cereals. The 
range included an instant oatmeal, rich in whole 
grain and fibre, helping those watching their 
weight to stay motivated.

We offer the best-tasting ice cream products 

and continually improve the nutritional profile 
and benefits of our range. We build upon the 
wholesome milk at the heart of ice cream, to 
offer healthier options for you and your family. 
In addition, we have enhanced our nutritional 
labelling, portion size recommendations and the 
availability of smaller pack options. Our Outshine 
range, available in North America, has been 
expanded to include a 100% yoghurt bar, and in 
Europe we launched the Mövenpick 100% Natural 
stick ice cream during the year. We continue to 
work to ensure that our ice cream products are 
produced, packaged and distributed in ways that 
are environmentally sustainable.

Extrême ice creams are particularly popular in 
France, and combine different flavours, textures 
and colours to provide people with an indulgent, 
sophisticated treat.

More information about our commitment to 
encourage consumption of whole grains can be 
found on page 18 of the Nestlé in society report.

Delicious ready-to-drink peanut 
milk from our joint-venture Yinlu 
is popular in China and suitable for 
those who are lactose intolerant.

23

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Prepared dishes 
and cooking aids

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 12.6 billion

+ 0.1%

– 1.3%

13.7%

Trading operating profit margin

+ 40 basis points 

Our food portfolio offers products that form the 
core of healthy and nutritious meals. By making 
food tastier, more balanced and easier to prepare, 
we help improve eating habits and contribute 
to an enjoyable, healthy lifestyle. We continue 
to improve our products, enhance nutritional 
information and portion guidance. We want to 
empower consumers to make the right informed 
choices on food and nutrition, and constantly 
evolve our packaging and digital support for our 
brands to help achieve this. We are focused on 
deepening this engagement with consumers to 
ensure we can better serve their needs.

Through innovation and renovation we are 
enhancing the ability of our brands to contribute 
to a healthy diet, while ensuring they are relevant 
to the changing demands of consumers. In the 
United States, Lean Cuisine has reintroduced itself 
as a modern eating brand. No longer focused on 
diet, the brand has evolved to reflect a shift in the 
way Americans, primarily women, are eating and 
shopping. The Lean Cuisine brand relaunched 
with ten new recipes within the Lean Cuisine 
Marketplace range, all offering modern benefits 
such as organic ingredients, gluten-free, high-
protein options, no-preservative options, and 
products with no GMOs. 

Meanwhile, the new Stouffer’s Fit Kitchen 
range is primarily aimed at men, after research 
showed that many didn’t feel there were enough 
nutritious and satisfying meals in the frozen 
food aisle. Six varieties, each offering 25 or more 
grams of protein, complex carbohydrates and 
vegetables, were successfully introduced in  
the summer.

In Europe, the new Rustipani warm bread 
small meal from Wagner is baked in a traditional 
rustic oven with two variants, a naturally matured 
sourdough and a dark oven rye flour bread. The 
pizza meets the Nestlé Nutritional Foundation 

24

Stouffer’s Fit Kitchen frozen meals offer  
big flavours and at least 25 g of protein  
in each serving. The range is primarily  
aimed at male consumers.

10

new recipes were 
introduced in the  
Lean Cuisine 
Marketplace range

Nestlé Annual Review 2015criteria, based on nutrition science and public 
health dietary recommendations from bodies 
such as the World Health Organization and the 
Institute of Medicine. The Rustipani is topped with 
high-quality ingredients such as smoked cheese, 
marinated tomatoes, ham and asparagus.

Innovation and renovation are key to success 

across our food portfolio and drive growth 
across the category. Maggi Tender cooking 
papers seasoned with herbs and spices such as 
coriander, muscat, black pepper and oregano, 
enable consumers to flavour meat in the pan, 
keeping it tender without adding any oil. The 
product has been rolled out across our European 
markets and in Latin America.

We are leveraging what we call the ‘Kitchen 
Cupboard’ approach, renovating our portfolio 
with the aim of increasing the use of ingredients 
consumers recognise and are familiar with such 
as spices and herbs, while accelerating the 
removal of artificial additives. This is an important 
pillar of our efforts to build trust with the people 
who buy our products, providing transparency of 
what the product is made from with information 
that is easy to read and understand.

We recognise we have a role to play in 

addressing the problems of under-nutrition, as 
well as certain non-communicable diseases. In 
emerging markets, fortified products like Maggi 
soups and bouillon cubes are contributing to 
efforts to counter the effects of micronutrient 
deficiencies in iron and iodine. In Central America, 
consumers use Maggi chicken noodle soups as 
a base to cook tasty and balanced meals. Maggi 
has renovated the entire range and each serving 
now provides 15% of the recommended daily 
amount of iron, is low in fat and made without 
artificial preservatives. We are also helping to 
address problems caused by over-nutrition like 
obesity. Throughout our portfolio we are helping 
families to improve their diets by reducing the 
amount of salt, sugar and saturated fats in our 
products and removing trans fats. 

Maggi bouillon cubes and tablets fortified  
with iron can play an important role  
in addressing micronutrient deficiencies  
in emerging markets.

More information about micronutrient fortification can 
be found on page 16 of the Nestlé in society report.

The Nestlé Professional Chef range has been 
created by chefs for chefs, saving them time 
and the cost of making the dishes from scratch. 

25

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Nutrition

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 10.5 billion

+ 3.1%

+1.4%

22.6%

Trading operating profit margin

+110 basis points 

Our nutrition business is dedicated to providing 
high-quality, innovative, science-based nutrition 
for mothers and infants, helping to nurture 
healthier generations. Good nutrition and the 
right feeding practices during the first 1000 days 
of life, from conception to a child’s second 
birthday, are crucial for a child’s health, growth 
and development. Establishing the right feeding 
practices in early childhood also supports the 
establishment of good eating habits.

25

countries have Start 
Healthy Stay Healthy, our 
science-based education 
programme for parents

We promote and support breastfeeding which 
is the best start a baby can have in life. Where 
breastfeeding is not possible, we provide 
breast-milk substitutes. We have also developed 
science-based nutritional solutions for infants 
with specific medical needs, who are unable 
to absorb, digest or metabolise standard infant 
formulas and are at risk of death or abnormal 
development if left without access to the right 
nutrition support. In addition, we provide a range 
of complementary foods such as growing-up 
milks, infant cereals and meals and drinks. These 
products contain carefully selected high-quality 
ingredients and are fortified with nutrients to 
meet the specific needs of infants and young 
children. Our BabyNes system, now available 
in four countries, is the first advanced nutrition 
system for infants and toddlers that offers age-
specific, single-serve formulas for children up to 
the age of three years. 

26

Appropriate protein supply in early life can 
shape long-term health outcomes. Nestlé 
Nutrition’s NAN Optipro offers protein 
composition and concentration closer to  
the gold standard of breast milk.

Wyeth Nutrition’s illuma brand helps to 
enhance infants’ absorption of key nutrients 
and supports their immune function.

Nestlé Annual Review 2015To encourage good nutrition in the first 
1000 days, we seek to support mothers through 
our extensive range of educational materials 
and information. Start Healthy Stay Healthy, our 
interactive, science-based education programme 
designed to help parents and caregivers provide 
nutritionally and developmentally adequate 
nutrition in the crucial first 1000 days of life, has 
now been rolled out to 25 countries.

We market our breast-milk substitutes in line 
with the aims of the World Health Organization’s 
International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk 
Substitutes as implemented by governments. 
Our marketing standards are the strictest in the 
industry. We are the only breast-milk substitute 
manufacturer to be included in the FTSE4Good 
responsible investment index. We implemented 
the new global Nestlé Maternity Protection 
Policy which is one of the most progressive 
programmes of its kind in the industry. This 
policy gives employees a minimum of 14 weeks 
paid maternity leave and the right to extend their 
maternity leave up to six months. It also includes 
flexible working arrangements and guaranteed 
access to breastfeeding rooms during working 
hours in all sites with more than 50 employees. 
Nestlé currently has more than 190 breastfeeding 
rooms across its global working facilities. 

More information about our commitment to market 
breast-milk substitutes responsibly can be found on 
page 21 of the Nestlé in society report.

PetCare

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 11.5 billion

+ 5.9%

+ 3.5%

20.8%

Trading operating profit margin

+100 basis points 

Petcare is a strong growth driver for Nestlé 
around the world. With a portfolio of many of 
the world’s most popular and trusted dog and 
cat food brands, Nestlé Purina is committed to 
enriching the lives of pets and the people who 
love them.

500+

nutritionists, scientists, 
veterinarians and animal 
behaviourists worked  
on the renovation  
and innovation of the  
Nestlé Purina portfolio

In 2015, Purina introduced ground-breaking 
nutritional advances and product innovations. 
The successful US launch of Purina Pro Plan 
Bright Mind for adult dogs aged 7+ leveraged 
the company’s breakthrough research findings 
that a diet containing medium-chain triglycerides 
(MCTs) from enhanced botanical oils can help 
promote healthy aging and healthy cognition in 
senior dogs. In Europe, the Purina Pro Plan brand 
renovated formulas targeted to the changing 
nutritional needs of dogs in different life-stages, 
from building a growing puppy’s natural defences 
to helping adult dogs maintain a healthy weight. 
Our focus on product innovation can also 
help strengthen the bond between people and 
their pets. Friskies, a global brand of cat food and 
treats, in the US launched Friskies Pull ‘n Play, 
the first ever tender, edible strings for cats, 
as a new way for pet owners to treat and play 
with their cats. The treat may be fed alone or in 
conjunction with Wobbert, a wobbly cat toy that 
can accommodate two treats at once. 

Globally, Nestlé Purina employs 500+ 

world-class nutritionists, behaviorists, 
veterinarians, immunologists and other pet 

27

Nestlé Annual Review 2015experts who are working to improve the lives 
of pets. Nestlé Purina manufacturing facilities 
around the globe meet or exceed all regulatory 
requirements and use comprehensive food safety 
programs to ensure every Purina product meets 
our high standards for safety and quality.  
Nestlé Purina promotes responsible pet 
care, humane education and strengthening the 
bond between people and their pets. In Italy, an 
educational programme promoted in schools 
helps children learn the basics of pet care and 
nutrition through a kit distributed to teachers 
that includes contributions from veterinarians 
and other experts. Petfinder, Nestlé Purina’s 
searchable web database of pets in need of 
adoption, has helped over 24 million find homes 
so far. Guided by our passion for pets, we are 
committed to using our scale to support shelter 
pets, creating tools and resources to help them 
find new homes. In 2015, Nestlé Purina donated 
more than USD 8 million to pet-related causes 
and community organizations and civic groups 
across the Americas.

Nestlé Purina is constantly working on 
opportunities to improve our environmental 
performance through designing smarter and more 
efficient systems. We work throughout our supply 
chain to ensure our high-quality ingredients are 
sourced responsibly. As a manufacturer, we are 
focused on reducing solid waste and greenhouse 
gas emissions and improving the efficiency of the 
water and energy used at our facilities around the 
world.

Purina Beyond dog food provides healthy 
nutrition using only high-quality natural 
ingredients, so owners can be sure they are 
making the right choice for their pets. 

28

Nestlé Purina science and expertise underpins 
Purina Pro Plan, a super-premium pet food 
range that delivers optimal nutrition for dogs 
and cats. 

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Confectionery

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 8.9 billion

+ 6.2%

+1.8%

14.0%

Trading operating profit margin

+ 20 basis points 

Nestlé’s involvement with chocolate goes back 
to François-Louis Cailler who started to make 
chocolate in Switzerland in 1819. Today Cailler  
is Switzerland’s oldest chocolate brand. Through 
various acquisitions, including Cailler in 1929,  
and more recently in 1988 with the purchase 
of the UK company Rowntree, Nestlé has 
become one of the world’s largest chocolate 
and confectionery producers. Chocolate is a 
highly attractive category for Nestlé with growth 
increasingly fuelled by premiumisation. Around 
the globe it is the number one snack of choice 
and there is high potential for emerging market 
growth where the habit of chocolate consumption 
is starting to grow.

billion+

fingers of KitKat 
are consumed 
around the world 
each year

With KitKat, Nestlé has a strong global player 
driving performance in both emerging and 
developed markets. KitKat will become the 
first global confectionery brand sourced from 
100 percent certified sustainable cocoa, starting 
early in 2016. The brand already uses sustainably 
sourced cocoa, accredited by independent third-
party bodies, in products sold in certain markets, 
but this new announcement extends the practice 
worldwide, including the United States.

An essential element of Nestlé’s desire to 
enhance people’s lives is our commitment to 
deliver healthier options which help you feel 
better about enjoying a treat, for example by using 

Nestlé announced its entry into the dynamic 
global super-premium chocolate category 
with Cailler, a Swiss brand that is almost  
200 years old.

KitKat is the world’s third biggest chocolate 
brand. More than 20 billion fingers of KitKat 
are consumed around the world each year.

29

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Water

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 7.1 billion

+ 7.0%

+ 7.0%

11.2%

Trading operating profit margin

+ 90 basis points 

Bottled water is a healthy, convenient way to 
stay hydrated. Nestlé Waters contributes to 
consumers’ healthy hydration with its global 
brand Nestlé Pure Life, local water brands in 
different countries and premium international 
mineral waters S.Pellegrino and Perrier. A key 
component of Nestlé’s Nutrition, Health and 
Wellness strategy, water is also a growing 
category, particularly in developed markets 
as more consumers switch to water from 
carbonated sugary drinks. More than half Nestlé 
Waters’ sales are in North America where bottled 
water is on track to become the top selling 
beverage by the end of the decade. There is also 
good growth in emerging markets, helped by 
growing urbanisation and the rise of the middle 
class in many parts of the world.

52

brands make 
up the Nestlé 
Waters portfolio

Nestlé Waters has a portfolio of 52 brands, 
enabling constant innovation to meet the different 
expectations of consumers all over the globe. The 
company is the world’s number one bottled water 
company by value and Nestlé Pure Life is the 
largest bottled water brand in the world. We make 
every effort to offer healthy bottled water that 
tastes good. Because quality is the foundation 
of what we do, consumers can ensure they are 
hydrated every day in complete confidence, using 
our bottled water.

Water is a precious resource. At Nestlé Waters, 

responsible water management does not stop 

natural ingredients, removing artificial colours 
and flavours, and making it easier to understand 
how many portions there are in a product through 
clearer information on the packaging. A year ago 
we committed to stop marketing confectionery 
to children under the age of 12 years and this 
is recognised in the updated and strengthened 
Nestlé Marketing Communication to Children 
Policy which came into effect at the end of 2015.

Our confectionery brands are using 

partnerships with major tech firms like Google 
and Amazon to help build new relationships with 
consumers. KitKat worked closely with Google 
to launch a new global digital campaign to help 
consumers find the top trending YouTube videos 
on their mobile phones while having a KitKat 
break. When Nestlé began the transformation  
of the Swiss chocolate brand Cailler into a  
new global super-premium chocolate brand,  
it chose Amazon as its primary retailer. Cailler 
is still produced at ‘Maison Cailler’, the original 
factory in the Swiss town of Broc, using milk  
from local farms and high-quality cocoa from  
the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. The new products  
can be bought through Amazon in the US, UK, 
China and Germany. They are also sold in  
travel retail outlets in major airports in Geneva, 
Zurich, Dubai and Singapore.

More information about our commitment on 
responsible marketing communication to  
children can be found on page 21 of the Nestlé  
in society report.

30

Nestlé Annual Review 2015at being best-in-class within the walls of our 
factories, but extends to collective actions with 
other water stakeholders to ensure the long-
term stability of shared watersheds. Since its 
creation the company has striven to be best 
in class in terms of protecting water sources 
and reducing the environmental impact of its 
activities. In the United States, investments in 
conservation measures in the state of California 
during the year are projected to save 55 million 
gallons (208 000 cubic metres) of water annually, 
a reduction of nearly 8%. In Switzerland, Nestlé 
Waters has built an agricultural biogas facility to 
provide renewable energy for the plant where 
its local brand Henniez is bottled. At the same 
time, the company continues to optimise its 
packaging and recycling efforts, so as to reduce 
the environmental impact of its business. Nestlé 
Waters reduced packaging weight per litre 
produced by 14% between 2009 and 2014.
Nestlé has pledged to adopt sustainable 
water practices in areas where we operate, 
source our goods and where our suppliers, 
employees and consumers live. For example, 
in Pakistan Nestlé has established seven clean 
drinking water facilities near its facilities: the 
latest was inaugurated next to the Nestlé Waters 
Sheikhupura factory. It is estimated that at least 
5000 people living in the area will have access to 
drinking water each day from the facility.

The new S.Pellegrino Magnum, a champagne- 
style bottle, has been successfully introduced 
in various markets around the world.

More information about our commitments on water 
stewardship can be found on page 28 of the Nestlé  
in society report.

Sold in more than 40 countries, Nestlé Pure 
Life is a great-tasting water that is filtered and 
enhanced with minerals to provide healthy 
hydration for the whole family.

31

Nestlé Annual Review 2015The future

Our changing environment 
creates new challenges, for 
Nestlé and for society. The 
United Nations estimates 
there will be 9.6 billion people 
in the world by 2050, 70% of 
whom will live in urban areas. 
We believe we have a strong 
contribution to make as the 
world looks for ways to feed 
its growing population.

Even as competition for land, water and energy 
increases, the scale of the population growth 
predicted means the world will need to find 
enough sufficiently nutritious food to feed an 
additional 2.3 billion people over the next 35 years. 
In addition, provision has to be made for the 
800 million people who do not have access to 
adequate nutrition today. That is approximately 
one in nine of the global population.

Business has a role to play in both mitigating 

these issues and adapting our global food 
system. Companies like ours create value for 
consumers and the societies in which they live. 
Processing food enables us to deliver food to the 
consumer wherever they are in the world. These 
are products they can trust, manufactured to 
the highest specifications and completely safe. 
Our researchers deliver innovation we can apply 
throughout the value chain to the sourcing of 
ingredients, to manufacturing, packaging and 
distribution, and to offer consumers new types of 
product or service, or benefits through our brands. 

We are driving advances in agricultural 

practices and biotechnology to help to secure the 
food supply, from developing new preservation 
technology to contributing to better food safety. 
We are improving our ability to produce more 
with less environmental impact, reducing carbon 
emissions, water consumption and waste.  

32

Nestlé Annual Review 201533

Nestlé Annual Review 2015The future

We are helping smallholders develop sustainable 
farming practices. At the same time, we are 
setting ourselves tough challenges to overcome. 
What ingredients can we use with less 
environmental impact? How can we accelerate 
the usage of plant proteins and reduce our 
reliance on animal proteins which require more 
resources to produce? How can we further 
expand our use of micronutrient fortification?  
How can we contribute to the fight against  
non-communicable diseases? 

5000

scientists work at 
Nestlé Research

For instance, today obesity is becoming a global 
problem. There are twice as many obese people 
in developing countries as in developed ones. We 
have a role to play in helping to address this. We 
are renovating our portfolio to reduce the amount 
of sugar, salt and saturated fats, and remove 
trans fats from our products, and have committed 
ourselves publicly to targets which allow people 
to follow our progress. Material science has the 
potential to offer a much greater contribution 
to this effort in the years ahead. For example, 
much of the reduction today is achieved through 
renovation of a product recipe by replacing 
sugar with healthier ingredients. Our researchers 
are working on new approaches to make these 
reductions even greater. 

We have the strongest Research and 

Development network in the food industry with 
more than 5000 scientists and researchers working 
across the world. We recognise the potential to 
multiply this effort through collaboration with the 
best in each scientific field, from universities to 
biotech companies to start-ups. We are working 
with partners in new areas like epigenetics: the 
science of how eating behaviours and other 
environmental factors can affect your genes,  
your health and that of your offspring, and for 

34

future generations. The jointly-funded public-
private partnership we have with an international 
alliance of researchers known as the EpiGen 
Consortium is the largest of its kind. The 
collaboration is helping us to better develop our 
understanding of the influence of nutrition and 
genetics at the beginning of life. It will enable us 
to create products that have a proven, positive 
impact on the health of mothers and their 
children. We are already patenting breakthrough 
discoveries so that we can build products and 
portfolios on a strong foundation. We publish 
more scientific papers, and these are cited more 
often, than any other company in the food and 
beverage industry.

We use both nutritional and consumer insights 

throughout our business to identify the right 
Nutrition, Health and Wellness innovations that 
could evolve into platforms for future growth. 
So-called ‘millennial’ consumers in particular are 
more interested in artisanal and natural options 
focusing on new health trends like products 
that are free of genetically modified ingredients, 
organic or gluten-free. They want quick, 
ready-to-eat solutions and guidance on servings 
and portions to complement busy lifestyles. 
Meal occasions are fragmenting and snacking is 
becoming more popular. Family structures are 
changing as single-parenting becomes more 
widespread in many societies and more people 
live alone. In addition, there is a growing gap 
between how people want to feel and what 
they actually achieve through their daily activity. 
Increasingly they value balance and look for meals 
that offer positive health benefits. Our Nutrition, 
Health and Wellness strategy ensures we are 
well-positioned to meet these needs. We can 
expect consumers living longer, more active and 
healthier lives to generate new opportunities for 
our businesses and brands.

Another area of focus is the ‘internet of 
things’, the growing ability for devices in our 
lives to share data. This offers a company like 
ours opportunities to develop new products or 
systems that will allow people to personalise 
the nutrition they receive more closely than ever 
before. The challenge is finding ways to harness 
all the data produced, for example, by a sensor 
you wear to work out how many calories you 

Nestlé Annual Review 2015BabyNes is a smart 
nutrition system that 
caregivers can use 
to prepare formula, 
using capsules tailored 
to a baby’s specific 
developmental needs. 

With people living longer lives, Nestlé Health Science is investing in research 
to develop nutritional solutions that support healthy and active aging. 

Nestlé’s United for Healthier Kids initiative 
unites schools, businesses, government  
and civil society to help caregivers raise 
healthier children. 

Nestlé’s R&D centre in Abidjan is developing 
better methods of cocoa plant propagation in 
partnership with the World Cocoa Foundation 
and the Côte d’Ivoire government. 

35

Nestlé Annual Review 2015The future

have used in a day, to help you plan your next 
meal in order to replace those calories and get 
the nutrients you need while not over-eating. The 
opportunities presented by digital are immense, 
and will grow in the years ahead, making it more 
important than ever that we have the right people 
with the right capabilities at Nestlé to enable us to 
exploit them.

Our people and the way we work together as a 

team are critical if we are to achieve our targets. 
We recognise the importance of strengthening 
our global talent pipeline, while also playing a 
role to ensure that young people in the societies 
where we operate have the right skills to find 
employment with us, with our suppliers and 
throughout the industry. Our Global Youth 
Initiative is helping us develop the next generation 
of Nestlé leaders, filling the skills gap left by the 
retirements of the ‘baby boomer’ generation. 
Almost a fifth of our workforce is over the age  
of 50.

200

business partners 
have been mobilised 
by Nestlé to create an 
‘Alliance for YOUth’

So far in Europe we have hired more than 
11 000 people as part of the Nestlé European 
Youth Employment Initiative and created more 
than 6000 apprenticeships and trainee positions. 
We have mobilised close to 200 business 
partners, creating an ‘Alliance for YOUth’. In 
the Americas, the Global Youth Initiative has 
now been launched in all markets with the 
aim of offering 24 000 job opportunities and 
7000 apprenticeship, internship or traineeship 
opportunities across the Americas by 2018. 
And in Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa, 
our markets are partnering with governments 
and others to build capabilities and generate 
opportunities for young people. We continue to 
focus on developing strong leadership throughout 
the company as well as further improving the 
diversity and gender balance of our talent pool 

36

and teams. Here too we have made public 
commitments and publish data so that people can 
see our progress towards achieving our goals.
We are confident about the future. We have 
demonstrated through our 150 years of existence 
that we are able to anticipate consumers’ needs 
and this has been a key enabler of our success. 
Although the challenges faced by society are not 
to be underestimated, we believe we will be  
able to make a strong contribution, creating  
value for our shareholders and for the societies  
in which we operate. Many of the 17 new 
Sustainable Development Goals announced by 
the United Nations during the year match directly 
our own Creating Shared Value focus on nutrition, 
water and rural development. We are part of  
the solution to these societal challenges, and 
ready to play our part.

More information about our commitments to  
improve gender balance and diversity can be found 
on page 39 of the Nestlé in society report.

Nestlé Annual Review 2015The Nestlé Milo 
Champions Band and  
app give parents 
personalised information 
on their child’s 
nutritional intake  
and physical activity,  
to help them lead 
healthier lives. 

The Digital Acceleration Team (DAT) brings 
together future leaders from across Nestlé 
to build brands, innovate and engage with 
consumers in an increasingly digitally 
connected world. 

A new global partnership with Amazon to 
drive e-commerce began with the launch of 
historic Swiss super-premium chocolate brand 
Cailler in the US, China, UK and Germany. 

Nestlé Japan is pioneering a new consumer 
engagement model using the robot ‘Pepper’ 
– which responds to human emotions – to sell 
Nescafé products. 

37

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Financial review 

38
38

Nestlé Annual Review 2015

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Key figures (consolidated)

In millions of CHF (except for data per share and employees)

Results 
Sales 
Trading operating profit 
as % of sales 
Profit for the year attributable to shareholders of the parent (Net profit)
as % of sales 

Balance sheet and Cash flow statement
Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent 

Net financial debt

Ratio of net financial debt to equity (gearing)
Operating cash flow 
as % of net financial debt
Free cash flow (a)
Capital expenditure 
as % of sales 

Data per share
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in millions of units)

Basic earnings per share 
Underlying earnings per share (b)
Dividend as proposed by the Board of Directors of Nestlé S.A.

Market capitalisation, end December

Number of employees (in thousands)

2015

2014

88 785 

13 382 

15.1%

91 612 

14 019 

15.3%

9 066 

14 456 

10.2%

15.8%

62 338 

15 425 

24.7%

70 130 

12 325 

17.6%

14 302 

14 700 

92.7%

119.3%

9 945 

3 872 

4.4%

14 137 

3 914 

4.3%

3 129 

 3 188 

CHF

CHF

CHF

2.90

3.31

2.25

4.54

3.44

2.20

 229 947 

 231 136 

 335 

 339 

(a)   Operating cash flow less capital expenditure, expenditure on intangible assets, investments (net of divestments) in associates and 

joint ventures, and other investing cash flows.

(b)   Profit per share for the year attributable to shareholders of the parent before impairments, restructuring costs, results on disposals 

and significant one-off items. The tax impact from the adjusted items is also adjusted for.

Principal key figures (c) (illustrative) in CHF, USD, EUR
In millions (except for data per share)

Sales

Trading operating profit

Profit for the year attributable to shareholders of the parent (Net profit)

Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent 

Market capitalisation, end December

Total CHF

Total CHF

Total USD Total USD Total EUR

Total EUR

2015

 88 785 

 13 382 

 9 066 

 62 338 

2014

 91 612 

 14 019 

 14 456 

 70 130 

2015

 92 143 

 13 889 

 9 409 

 63 012 

2014

 99 961 

 15 296 

 15 774 

 70 863 

2015

 83 153 

 12 533 

 8 491 

 57 651 

2014

 75 431 

 11 543 

 11 903 

 58 307 

 229 947 

 231 136 

 232 434 

 233 553 

 212 658 

 192 170 

Data per share

Basic earnings per share 

2.90

4.54

3.01

4.95

2.72

3.74

(c)   Income statement figures translated at weighted average annual rate; Balance sheet figures at year-end rate.

39

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
Group overview

Introduction
In 2015 we delivered profitable growth at the 
higher end of the industry in what is still a 
challenging environment. This profitable growth 
was on the back of consistent performances 
in previous years. Our organic growth of 4.2% 
was supported by increased momentum in 
real internal growth combined with continued 
margin improvement. Additionally, we grew or 
maintained market share in the majority of our 
categories and markets.

At the same time, we continued to invest 
for the future with increased support behind 
our brands and further development of our 
new platforms in nutrition and health as well as 
e-commerce. We kept up the focus on portfolio 
management, turning around our frozen food 
business in the United States, disposing of non-
core businesses and forging a new partnership to 
create a leading player in ice cream. 

Our free cash flow generation was again at the 
top end of the food industry at 11.2% of sales, as 
a result of our focus on margins with discipline in 
capital expenditure and working capital. 

15.0%

14.7%

15.7 

19.4 

18.4 

10.8 

22.6 

15.7 

14 019

15.3%

15.3%

13 382

15.1%

Trading operating profit  

14 000

13 000

12 000

2015

2014

P  In millions of CHF
P  In % of sales

Operating segments: trading operating profit

In % of sales

Zone EMENA

Zone AMS

Zone AOA

Nestlé Waters

Nestlé Nutrition
Other businesses (a)

(a)   Mainly Nespresso, Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Health Science 

and Nestlé Skin Health.

Following the changes in management responsibilities as from 
1 January 2015, Zone Europe has been renamed Zone Europe, 
Middle East and North Africa (EMENA) and now includes the 
Maghreb, the Middle East, the North East Africa region, Turkey  
and Israel, which were formerly included in Zone Asia, Oceania  
and Africa. Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa has been renamed  
Zone Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa (AOA). Nestlé Nutrition 
now includes Growing-Up Milks business formerly included  
in the geographic Zones. Finally, Other businesses now includes 
the Bübchen business, formerly included in Nestlé Nutrition. 
Information by product has been modified following the main 
transfer of Growing-Up Milks business in Milk products and 
Ice cream to Nutrition and Health Science. 2014 comparative 
information has been restated.

40

Nestlé Annual Review 2015

Group results
In 2015 Nestlé’s organic growth was 4.2%, 
composed of 2.2% real internal growth and  
2.0% pricing. Sales were CHF 88.8 billion,  
with a foreign exchange impact of –7.4%. 
Acquisitions, net of divestitures, added 0.1%  
to sales. Organic growth was broad-based  
across geographies and categories, 5.8% in  
the Americas (AMS), 3.5% in Europe, Middle 
East and North Africa (EMENA) and 1.9% in Asia, 
Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa (AOA). Real 
internal growth was also broad-based, 2.4%  
in AMS, 2.8% in EMENA and 1.2% in AOA.

We demonstrated our continued strength  

in developed markets with organic growth  
of 1.9% and in emerging markets with 7.0%.  
We increased or maintained market share in  
the majority of our categories and markets.

Trading operating profit
Trading operating profit was CHF 13.4 billion, 
with a margin of 15.1%, down 20 basis points 
on a reported basis affected by the strong Swiss 
Franc, up 10 basis points in constant currencies. 
We delivered this margin improvement while 
increasing substantially our investment in brand 
support, digital, research and development, and 
in our new nutrition and health platforms, and at 
the same time absorbing the cost of exceptional 
events like Maggi noodles in India.

Net profit
Net profit was CHF 9.1 billion. The reduction of 
CHF 5.4 billion versus last year was mostly due 
to the one-off impact from the disposal in 2014 
of part of the L’Oréal stake combined with the 
revaluation of the Galderma stake. There was also 
some effect from foreign exchange. Reported 
earnings per share at CHF 2.90 were down by 
36.1%, for the same reasons. Underlying earnings 
per share in constant currencies were up 6.5%.

Sales by geographic areas

Differences 2015/2014 (in %)

in CHF

in local 
currency

By principal markets

United States

Greater China Region

France

Brazil

United Kingdom

Germany

Mexico

Philippines

Italy

Canada

Spain

Switzerland

Australia

Japan

Russia

Rest of the world

Total

(a)   Not applicable.

+7.7%

+ 6.4%

– 12.0%

– 23.3%

+ 0.6%

– 12.3%

– 7.1%

+ 6.2%

– 11.4%

– 5.9%

– 10.1%

– 1.0%

– 7.6%

– 3.5%

– 23.1%

– 6.1%

– 3.1%

+ 2.4%

+ 3.2%

+0.1%

+2.9%

+3.0%

– 0.2%

+5.3%

+3.6%

+ 0.8%

+ 3.8%

+ 2.2%

– 1.0%

+ 5.5%

+ 4.3%

+16.3%
(a)

(a)

in CHF 
millions

2015

25 293 

7 060 

4 848 

3 925 

3 006 

2 929 

2 749 

2 645 

1 867 

1 847 

1 668 

1 549 

1 498 

1 440 

1 330 

25 131 

88 785 

Geographic sales and organic growth 

OG (%)

6

4

2

0

P  AMS +5.8%  

CHF 39.1 billion 

P  EMENA +3.5% 
CHF 27.5 billion

P  AOA +1.9% 

CHF 22.2 billion

Sales 

22.5 

  27.5 

  32.5 

  37.5 

 CHF billion

Each region includes sales of the corresponding Zones as well as  
Nestlé Waters, Nestlé Nutrition, Nespresso, Nestlé Professional,  
Nestlé Health Science and Nestlé Skin Health.

41

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
 
 
Sales by geographic area

Employees by geographic area

Factories by geographic area

AMS

EMENA (a)

AOA

44.1%

(2014: 43.0%)

30.9%

(2014*: 32.5%)

25.0%

(2014*: 24.5%)

32.5%

(2014: 32.7%)

34.7%

(2014*: 34.6%)

32.8%

(2014*: 32.7%)

161

(2014: 163)

166

(2014*: 170)

109

(2014*: 109)

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

* 
(a)   10 885 employees in Switzerland in 2015.

Employees by activity

In thousands

Factories

Administration and sales

Total

2015

170

165

335

2014

175

164

339

42

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Cash flow / Working capital
The Group’s operating cash flow remained 
strong at CHF 14.3 billion and free cash flow was 
CHF 9.9 billion or 11.2% of sales. This was the 
result of our focus on margins and our discipline 
in capital expenditure and working capital, 
and shows Nestlé’s capability to deliver very 
strong cash flow despite the challenging foreign 
exchange environment. The average total working 
capital has improved by 60 basis points from 
5.3% of sales to 4.7%.

Financial position
The Group’s net debt was in line with historic 
levels, increasing from CHF 12.3 billion to 
CHF 15.4 billion, driven by our completion of the 
share buy-back, an investment of CHF 6.5 billion 
in 2015. Our strong free cash flow during the year 
at CHF 9.9 billion more than offset the payment of 
dividends of CHF 6.9 billion.

Return on invested capital
The Group’s return on invested capital was 
10.9% including goodwill and intangible assets, 
up 10 basis points and it was 29.9% excluding 
goodwill and intangible assets, down 50 basis 
points, impacted by unfavourable foreign 
exchange.

Dividend
The Board of Directors is proposing a dividend  
of CHF 2.25 per share, up from CHF 2.20 in 2014.

Outlook
We anticipate that our trading environment 
in 2016 will be similar to previous years with 
even softer pricing. As such we expect to 
deliver organic growth in line with 2015, with 
improvements in margins and underlying earnings 
per share in constant currencies, and capital 
efficiency.

Evolution of the Nestlé S.A. share in 2015

in CHF

75.00

70.00

65.00

60.00

105.0%

100.0%

95.0%

90.0%

85.0%

| 

| 

| 
| 
J  F  M  A  M  J 

| 

| 

| 

| 

| 
|
J  A  S  O  N  D

| 

| 

P	 Nestlé S.A. share
P	 Nestlé relative to Swiss Market Index

Earnings per share

in CHF

Operating cash flow

in billions of CHF

4.54

14.3

14.7

2.90

2015

2014

2015

2014

Dividend per share

in CHF

2.25

2.20

2.15

2.05

1.95

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

43

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
Product category and operating segment review

2014*

2015

Proportion of total sales (%)

RIG (%)

OG (%)

9 328 

8 880 

10 974 

10 365 

20 302 

19 245 

4 685 

4 100 

6 875 

7 112 

710 

796 

11 073 

10 686 

4 117 

3 951 

15 190 

14 637 

2 295 

2 471 

14 605 

14 854 

3 136 

2 909 

7 302 

6 230 

6 984 

5 595 

13 532 

12 579 

1 801 

1 724 

7 053 

1 148 

1 568 

9 769 

1 344 

6 365 

1 130 

1 375 

8 870 

1 246 

11 339 

11 488 

2 246 

2 386 

46.1%

53.9%

100.0%

+3.1%

+5.4%

+7.0%

+7.0%

21.3%

11.2%

73.0%

27.0%

100.0%

+1.3%

+1.7%

+2.3%

+4.4%

16.9%

19.6%

55.5%

44.5%

100.0%

– 1.3%

+0.1%

13.7%

71.8%

12.7%

15.5%

100.0%

+1.8%

+6.2%

14.0%

20.8%

+3.5%

+5.9%

Leading positions in dynamic categories

In millions of CHF

Powdered and Liquid Beverages
Soluble coffee / coffee systems

Other

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Water
Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Milk products and Ice cream
Milk products

Ice cream

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Nutrition and Health Science
Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Prepared dishes and cooking aids
Frozen and chilled

Culinary and other

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Confectionery
Chocolate

Sugar confectionery

Biscuits

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

PetCare
Total sales

Trading operating profit  

* 

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

44

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Zone Americas (AMS)

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 25.8 billion

+ 5.5%

+1.6%

19.4%

Trading operating profit margin

+ 80 basis points

Growth in the Zone picked up momentum 
through the year and market shares grew broadly 
in both North and Latin America. 

In North America growth accelerated, led by 

the turnaround in the frozen meals business. 
Sales of the new ranges of Lean Cuisine and 
Stouffer’s were strong, supported by positive 
consumption trends. Pizza’s positive momentum 
also accelerated, driven by innovation. In ice 
cream, Häagen-Dazs and snacks continued to 
drive growth with new product launches. Coffee-
mate maintained its good momentum through 
constant innovation and renovation of flavours 
and packaging as well as new distribution. 
Petcare in North America continued to grow with 
strong performances from Fancy Feast, Purina 
One and cat litter. Increased brand support is 
helping the recovery of Beneful.

In Latin America we saw good performances 
in many countries in spite of the volatile 
environment. In Brazil, our business achieved 
positive organic and real internal growth despite 
the challenging, recessionary environment. 
Nescafé soluble coffee and Nescafé Dolce Gusto, 
KitKat and Nesfit were the growth drivers. Mexico 
delivered good growth across the entire portfolio, 
helped by strong performances in creamers, 
Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Nescafé soluble coffee and 
ambient culinary. Other highlights were Chile, 
driven by ice cream and biscuits, Colombia with 
ambient culinary, Peru with Nescafé, and the 
Plata Region and Ecuador with growth across 
their portfolios. Petcare continued its very good 
growth momentum across Latin America, 
benefiting from expanded capacity in Argentina 
and Mexico. 

We increased investment in consumer facing 

marketing support while improving the trading 
operating profit margin thanks to a favourable 
product mix, operational efficiencies, lower input 
costs and low restructuring and litigation costs.

Zone AMS 

In millions of CHF

United States and Canada

Latin America and Caribbean

Powdered and Liquid Beverages

Milk products and Ice cream

Prepared dishes and cooking aids

Confectionery

PetCare

Total sales

2014*

16 396 

10 229 

2015

17 187 

8 657 

3 190 

7 025 

4 744 

3 972 

7 694 

2 860 

6 609 

4 833 

3 454 

8 088 

Proportion of total sales (%)

RIG (%)

OG (%)

66.5%

33.5%

11.1%

25.6%

18.7%

13.3%

31.3%

26 625 

25 844 

100.0%

+1.6%

+5.5%

Trading operating profit  

Capital expenditure

4 940 

1 027 

5 021 

1 038 

19.4%

4.0%

* 

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

45

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Zone Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMENA)

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 16.4 billion

+ 3.7%

+ 2.5%

15.7%

Trading operating profit margin

+ 50 basis points

The Zone continued to outperform the markets 
in its main categories with positive contributions 
from all geographies, with good evolution of 
market shares despite the economic and political 
volatility.

The exceptional performance relative to the 
environment in Western Europe was driven by 
successful innovation and renovation. Petcare 
continued to deliver growth across the region 
with Felix and Purina One dry cat food. Nescafé 
Dolce Gusto and frozen pizza with the Wagner 
and Buitoni brands were the other growth drivers. 
Culinary was impacted by the competitive retail 
environment and softness in the category. 
Overall France, Germany and Benelux were the 
highlights, and Spain accelerated. 

Solid growth in Central and Eastern Europe 

was driven by Russia, Ukraine and Poland. 

Petcare, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Nescafé soluble 
coffee and confectionery all delivered very good 
growth across the region, leveraging strong 
market positions. Despite the difficult business 
context, Russia had a good year with positive 
growth and market share gains, especially in 
premium coffee.

In the Middle East and North Africa there 
was a solid performance despite the unstable 
environment. There was good growth in Nescafé 
soluble coffee, confectionery and petcare, that 
was partially offset by softer trading in ambient 
dairy. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran 
contributed to an overall solid performance. 
Nescafé soluble coffee and chocolate drove the 
strong growth in Turkey. The difficult conditions in 
Yemen, Libya and Syria had an impact.
The trading operating profit margin 

improvement was the result of careful pricing 
and significant cost reductions which were partly 
reinvested in promotional and marketing activities 
to generate future growth.

Zone EMENA 

In millions of CHF

Western Europe

Eastern and Central Europe

Middle East and North Africa

Powdered and Liquid Beverages

Milk products and Ice cream

Prepared dishes and cooking aids

Confectionery

PetCare

Total sales

2014*

2015

12 087 

11 022 

3 088 

2 790 

4 700 

2 356 

4 382 

3 446 

3 081 

2 629 

2 752 

4 366 

2 171 

3 853 

3 124 

2 889 

Proportion of total sales (%)

RIG (%)

OG (%)

67.2%

16.0%

16.8%

26.6%

13.2%

23.6%

19.0%

17.6%

17 965 

16 403 

100.0%

+2.5%

+3.7%

Trading operating profit  

Capital expenditure

2 735 

840 

2 572 

710 

15.7%

4.3%

* 

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

46

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Zone Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa (AOA)

The developed markets had another good year 
with growth across most categories. In Japan, 
the main growth drivers in beverages were 
Nescafé Dolce Gusto and the barista machine 
for Nescafé soluble coffee. KitKat remained the 
highlight in confectionery, driven by innovation 
in novel flavours and formats. Growth in Oceania 
was driven by confectionery, mainly KitKat, and 
by Nescafé soluble coffee and Nescafé Dolce 
Gusto. Also, there were benefits from improved 
management of trade terms.

The Zone’s trading operating profit margin 
remained strong and accretive to the Group, 
despite the withdrawal and destruction costs 
of noodles product in India. The evolution 
in favourable input costs enabled increased 
investment in consumer facing marketing 
support.

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 14.3 billion

+ 0.5%

– 0.1%

18.4%

Trading operating profit margin

– 80 basis points

The Zone’s performance was seriously impacted by 
the Maggi noodles issue in India. 

The emerging markets improved gradually, with 

China showing increased momentum towards 
the end of the year. In China, our reinvestment in 
Nescafé soluble coffee and Nescafé ready-to-drink 
products led the growth together with Totole in 
culinary and Shark wafers in confectionery. Hsu Fu 
Chi delivered a solid performance in a very difficult 
economic environment. Yinlu improved but needs 
more time. In India, we halted production and sales 
of Maggi noodles for five months while we dealt with 
allegations made against the product. We began 
the return to the market in November. Vietnam and 
Indonesia were the highlights among the other Asian 
markets. Sub-Saharan Africa delivered solid growth 
despite the pressure from lower oil prices in several 
countries. South Africa performed well.  

Zone AOA

In millions of CHF

ASEAN markets

Oceania and Japan

Other Asian markets

Sub-Saharan Africa

Powdered and Liquid Beverages

Milk products and Ice cream

Prepared dishes and cooking aids

Confectionery

PetCare

Total sales

2014*

4 239 

2 713 

5 761 

2 079 

5 059 

4 957 

2 244 

1 969 

563 

2015

4 260 

2 494 

5 692 

1 892 

4 979 

4 932 

1 969 

1 947 

511 

Proportion of total sales (%)

RIG (%)

OG (%)

29.7%

17.4%

39.7%

13.2%

34.7%

34.4%

13.7%

13.6%

3.6%

14 792 

14 338 

100.0%

– 0.1%

+0.5%

Trading operating profit  

Capital expenditure

2 834 

586 

2 632 

482 

18.4%

3.4%

* 

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

47

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Waters

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 7.6 billion

+ 6.7%

+ 6.7%

10.8%

Trading operating profit margin

+110 basis points

Nestlé Waters delivered good broad-based 
organic and real internal growth in all 
geographies, driven by category dynamics and 
innovation. There was a strong performance 
for our flagship brand for healthy hydration, 
Nestlé Pure Life. The premium international 
brands Perrier and S.Pellegrino continued their 
good growth momentum, creating additional 
value in the category. Complementing these 
performances, our strong local brands also 
contributed good growth, especially Poland 
Spring in the United States, Buxton in the United 
Kingdom, Erikli in Turkey, and Sta.María in Mexico.

The improvement in the trading operating 

profit margin was due to a combination of volume 
growth, continuous cost improvement and 
lower input costs that also allowed for increased 
investment behind our brands. 

2014

2 190 

3 780 

1 420 

2015

1 949 

4 131 

1 545 

7 390 

7 625 

714 

308 

825 

432 

Proportion of total sales (%)

RIG (%)

OG (%)

25.5%

54.2%

20.3%

100.0%

+6.7%

+6.7%

10.8%

5.7%

Nestlé Waters

In millions of CHF

Europe

United States and Canada

Other regions

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Capital expenditure

48

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Nestlé Nutrition

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 10.5 billion

+ 3.1%

+1.4%

22.6%

Trading operating profit margin

+110 basis points

The increase in trading operating profit margin 
was driven by strict control of fixed costs, lower 
input costs, the results of portfolio management 
and lower impairment charges. At the same  
time, there was increased investment behind  
our brands.

Nestlé Nutrition’s solid organic growth was 
supported by an increased real internal growth 
momentum during the year. Infant formula 
including growing-up milks, delivered good 
growth. Wyeth Infant Nutrition remained the key 
driver with its premium brand illuma. There was a 
positive contribution from the emerging markets, 
in particular China and Mexico. In the developed 
markets, Spain and Germany were the highlights, 
helped by successful innovation in NAN. Baby 
food delivered broad-based growth. Infant cereals 
performed well, with share gains in particular 
in Latin America and the United States. Tough 
comparisons and softer pricing due to lower input 
costs and moderating category growth across 
Asia had an impact.

Nestlé Nutrition

In millions of CHF

EMENA

AMS

AOA

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Capital expenditure

* 

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

2014*

2 366 

3 975 

4 574 

2015

2 062 

3 688 

4 711 

10 915 

10 461 

2 343 

393 

2 361 

489 

Proportion of total sales (%)

RIG (%)

OG (%)

19.7%

35.3%

45.0%

100.0%

+1.4%

+3.1%

22.6%

4.7%

49

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Other businesses

Sales

Organic growth

Real internal growth

Trading operating profit margin

CHF 14.1 billion

+ 5.3%

+ 3.7%

15.7%

Trading operating profit margin

– 330 basis points

The growth for Nestlé Professional was driven by 
emerging markets, particularly Turkey, the Middle 
East Region, Russia, Mexico, the South Asia 
Region and China. Western Europe continued to 
face challenges in the out-of-home environment. 
The strategic growth drivers, beverage solutions 
and savoury flavours, continued to perform well. 
The divestment of Davigel was completed in 
November.

Nespresso delivered solid growth in all regions 
in 2015, affirming its strong position in European 
markets and continued to build momentum in 
Asia and the Americas. In the USA, sales of the 
recently launched VertuoLine system accelerated 
on the back of the new varieties of machine 
and Grands Crus, and the new communication 
campaign. Global growth was supported by 
innovations and significant investments in the 
coffee, machine and service pipeline, as well 
as in sustainability activities, brand awareness 
and geographic expansion in new and existing 
markets. 

Nestlé Health Science reported good growth, 
driven by strong performances in Europe, AOA, 
and in the USA. Consumer Care was the growth 
engine, driven by Boost and Carnation Breakfast 
Essentials and the continuing roll-out of the 
Meritene range in Europe. Medical Nutrition saw 

good growth, notably from the allergy portfolio 
(Alfaré, Althéra, Alfamino) across all geographies 
and particularly in China. Growth was also 
supported by Vitaflo’s geographic expansion and 
the continuing roll-out of the product range. Novel 
Therapeutic Nutrition made strategic investments 
in Seres Therapeutics, a leading microbiome 
therapeutics company, while generic competition 
impacted Lotronex.

Nestlé Skin Health delivered good growth. 

There were very good results in Aesthetic & 
Corrective, driven by Restylane and Azzalure, and 
in Self-medication, driven by Cetaphil cleansers 
and moisturisers, the acne treatment Benzac 
and by continued roll-out of line extensions. The 
Prescription business successfully launched 
the rosacea treatment Soolantra and the higher 
strength acne drug Epiduo Forte, but faced 
pressure from some generic entrants in the US 
and in Europe. There was an impact from the 
business’ decision to take a more conservative 
approach to its prescription rebate policy in the 
US which required a one-off charge in the third 
quarter.

The trading operating profit margin of the 
Other businesses was impacted by the rebate 
adjustments in Nestlé Skin Health, the effect of 
the strong Swiss Franc on Nespresso and the 
generic competition on Lotronex. These impacts 
overshadow good underlying profit improvement 
across the businesses.

Other businesses (a)
In millions of CHF

Total sales

Trading operating profit  

Capital expenditure

2014*

2015

13 925 

14 114 

2 651 

573 

2 221 

518 

RIG (%)

+3.7%

OG (%)

+5.3%

15.7%

3.7%

 2014 figures have been restated – see note on page 40.

* 
(a)   Mainly Nespresso, Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Health Science and Nestlé Skin Health.

50

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Principal risks and uncertainties

Group Risk Management
The Nestlé Group Enterprise Risk Management 
Framework (ERM) is designed to identify, 
communicate, and mitigate risks in order to 
minimise their potential impact on the Group. 
Nestlé has adopted a dual approach in identifying 
and assessing risks. A top-down assessment is 
performed at Group level once a year to create 
a good understanding of the company’s mega-
risks, to allocate ownership to drive specific 
actions around them and take any relevant steps 
to address them. A bottom-up assessment occurs 
in parallel and focuses on the global risk portfolio 
in the businesses/corporate functions. It involves 
the aggregation of individual assessments by 
the Zones, Globally Managed Businesses and 
all markets. It is intended to provide a high-level 
risk mapping and allows Group Management to 
make sound decisions on the future operations 
of the company and ensure that any risk growing 
in importance within the organisation is captured 
and addressed in Nestlé’s ERM agenda. Nestlé 
engages with external stakeholders to better 
understand issues that are of most concern to 
them with the aim of assessing any potential 
gaps between internal and external perception 
of risks and their impact on reputation. 
Recommendations from stakeholders are 
reported on in the Nestlé in society report along 
with the issues stakeholders consider to be 
material to the company.

An annual compliance risk assessment is 
performed in the Group Compliance Committee. 
Risk assessments are the responsibility of line 
management; this applies equally to a business, 
a market or a function, and any mitigating 
actions identified in the assessments are the 
responsibility of the individual line management. If 
Group-level intervention is required, responsibility 
for mitigating actions will generally be determined 
by the Executive Board. 

The results of the Group ERM are presented 
annually to the Executive Board and to the Audit 
Committee, and conclusions reported to the 
Board of Directors. 

Factors affecting results
Nestlé’s reputation is based on consumers’ 
trust. Any major event triggered by a serious 

food safety or other compliance issue could 
have a negative effect on Nestlé’s reputation or 
brand image. The Group has policies, processes, 
controls and regular monitoring (dedicated 
dashboard with relevant KPIs) in place to prevent 
such events. 

The success of the Nestlé Group depends on its 

ability to anticipate consumer preferences and to 
offer high-quality, appealing products. The Group’s 
business is subject to some seasonality, and 
adverse weather conditions may impact sales.

The food industry as a whole is faced with the 
global challenge of increasing obesity. The Group 
makes all its products available in a range of sizes 
and varieties designed to meet all needs and  
all occasions.

Nestlé is dependent on the sustainable 

supply of a number of raw materials, packaging 
materials and services/utilities. Any major event 
triggered by natural hazards (drought, flood, etc.), 
change in macroeconomic environment (shift in 
production patterns, biofuels, excessive trading, 
etc.), resulting in input price volatilities and/or 
capacity constraints, could potentially impact 
Nestlé’s financial results. The Group has policies, 
processes, controls and regular monitoring in 
place to (if ever possible) anticipate such events 
and adequately mitigate against them. 

In particular, Nestlé manages risks and 

opportunities related to climate change and water 
resources proactively given the impact it may 
have on agriculture and food production systems. 
Details of the Group’s climate change and water 
strategies are available in Nestlé’s response to 
the CDP Climate Change and Water Investor 
Information Requests and also in the Nestlé in 
society report. 

The Group’s liquidities/liabilities (currency 
fluctuation, interest rate, derivatives, and/or 
hedging, pension funding obligations/retirement 
benefits, banking/commercial credit, and cost 
of capital, etc.) could be impacted by any major 
event in the financial markets. Again, Nestlé has 
the appropriate risk mitigation measures in place.

Nestlé is dependent on sustainable 

manufacturing/supply of finished goods for  
all product categories. A major event in one  
of Nestlé’s key plants, at a key supplier,  
contract manufacturer, co-packer, and/or 

51

Nestlé Annual Review 2015warehouse facility could potentially lead to a 
supply disruption and impact Nestlé’s financial 
results. Business continuity plans are established 
and regularly maintained in order to mitigate 
against such an event.

The Group depends on accurate, timely 

information and numerical data from key software 
applications, without disruption, to enable  
day-to-day decision making. 

The Group is subject to environmental regimes 
applying in all countries where it operates and has 
put controls in place to comply with legislation 
concerning the protection of the environment, 
including the use of natural resources, release 
of air emissions and waste water, and the 
generation, storage, handling, transportation, 
treatment and disposal of waste materials.

Factories

Americas (AMS)

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Guatemala

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Peru

Nestlé is subject to health and safety regimes 

Trinidad and Tobago

7 P L P
1

P L P L P L

L P L

L

L
23 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L
10 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L P L P L P L P L

L

L P L P L P L P L P L

L

L P L

3

L P L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L

L P L

L P L P L P L P L

L
11 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

L P L

L

L

L P L

L P L

L

L

L P L P L P L P L

L

L

L

7 P L
4 P L
1

L

2

L
3 P L
3 P L

1 P L
1

L
1 P L
1 P L

United States

Uruguay

Venezuela

L
76 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

1 P L
5 P L

L

L

L P L

L

L

L P L P L P L P L P L

in all countries where it operates and has 
procedures in place to comply with legislation 
concerning the protection of the health and 
welfare of employees and contractors.

Our Group companies are party to a variety of 
legal proceedings arising out of the normal course 
of business. The relevant companies believe that 
there are valid defences for the claims, and such 
companies intend to defend any such litigation.

Nestlé has factories in 85 countries and sales 

in 189 countries around the world. Security, 
political instability, legal and regulatory, fiscal, 
macroeconomic, foreign trade, labour and/or  
infrastructure risks could potentially impact 
Nestlé’s ability to do business in a country or 
region. Events such as infectious disease could 
also impact the Group’s ability to operate.  
Any of these events could lead to a supply 
disruption and impact Nestlé’s financial results. 
Regular monitoring and ad hoc business 
continuity plans are established in order to 
mitigate against such events.

One of the most valuable assets of Nestlé is  

the Group-wide geographical and product  
category spreads, which represent a tremendous 
natural hedge.

52

The figure in black after the 
country denotes the number  
of factories.
P  Local production (may 
represent production  
in several factories).
L  Imports (may, in a few 
particular cases,  
represent purchases  
from third parties in  
the market concerned).

P  Powdered and Liquid Beverages 
P  Water
P  Milk products and Ice cream
P  Nutrition and Health Science
P  Prepared dishes and  

cooking aids
P  Confectionery
P  PetCare

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
Greater China Region

30 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L

Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMENA)

Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa (AOA)

Algeria

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Denmark

Egypt

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iran

Iraq 

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jordan

Lebanon

Morocco

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Republic of Serbia

Romania

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Slovak Republic

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Tunisia

Turkey

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Uzbekistan

2 P L P
1 P L
1

L P L

P L

L

L

L P L

L	 P L

L

L

L P L

L

L

L

L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L

L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

L

L

1

2

3

1

Angola

Australia

Bangladesh

Cameroon

Côte d’Ivoire

Democratic Republic 
of Congo (DRC)

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

3 P L P L P L P L P
3

L P L P L P L
21 P L P L P L	 P L P L
L P L
17 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L

L

L

P L

Ghana

India

Indonesia

Japan

Kenya

L

L

L

L

L

L

Malaysia

New Zealand

Nigeria

Pakistan

L

L

L

3 P L P L P L
2 P L
2

L P

L

L	

P L P L

1

L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L P L

1

L
9 P L

L P L P L

L P L P L P

P L

13 P L P L P L

L P L P L P L

1 P L
1

1

2

L P L

L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L P L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L P L

L
8 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L
3 P L
1

L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

2

L
1 P L
7 P L
7

L P L

L P L P L

L

L

L

L P L

L

L

L P L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

L

L

1

L

L
11 P L P L P L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

2 P L

L
12 P L P L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

1

L

L

L

L
1 P L
P L
2 P L P L P L
3 P L
L
2 P L P L P L
9 P L P L P L P L
2

P L P L

L P

L

L

L

L

P L

L P

L P L P L

L P L P L

L P L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of Korea

Senegal

Singapore

South Africa

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Vietnam

Zimbabwe

1

L
9 P L
1 P L
1 P L
2 P L

1

L
1 P L

L P L

L

L

L

L P L P L P L P L P L

P

P L P L P

P L

L P L

L P L

L P

L P L

L P L

L P L P L

L

L

L

7 P L
4 P L
3 P L
1 P L
7 P L
2

L

P

P L P L P L

L P L P L P L P L

L P L

L P L P L

L P L P L P L

L

L P L P L P L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L P L P L

3 P L P
4 P L P
1 P L
6 P L
1

P L P L P L P

P L P L

P L

L P L

L P L P L P L

L P L

L

L

L

1

L

L

L P L

L P L P L P L

L
2 P L
7 P L
1 P L
L P L
7 P L P L P L P L P L
5 P L P L P L
1 P L

P L P L P L

L P L

P L

L P L P L P L P L P L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L P L

L

53

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Corporate Governance
and Compliance

54

Nestlé Annual Review 2015

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Corporate Governance

Our approach to Corporate Governance is built 
upon a set of strong principles and values set 
by the Board of Directors for our management 
and employees. Our Board also provides our 
long-term strategy and appropriate oversight. 
It establishes the appropriate tone at the 
top; oversees management and long-term 
performance; reviews financial planning and audit 
process; ensures risk oversight and compliance; 
sets compensation and performance goals; and 
manages director nomination, evaluation and 
succession planning. It oversees our economic, 
social and environmental sustainability.

But good Corporate Governance is not an 

end in itself. It is a means to create market 
confidence and helps focus on the long term. 
Therefore, Nestlé has adopted best practices in 
governance including an intense dialogue with 
our shareholders in our roadshows, investor 
meetings, shareholder surveys, analyst and 
engagement calls, Chairman’s Roundtables and 
bilateral meetings. We actively engage with the 
providers of capital and other stakeholders to 
ensure our sustainable long-term growth.

Our Chairman’s and Corporate Governance 

Committee liaises between the Chairman  
and the full Board, acts as a consultant body  
to the Chairman and CEO, and regularly  
reviews aspects of our Governance. It also 
advises on financial matters.

Our Nomination Committee ensures our 
managerial sustainability and oversees the  
long-term succession planning of the Board,  
its independence and self-evaluation. It  
ensures an appropriately wide net is cast  
on key successions.

Our Compensation Committee sets our 
remuneration principles and prepares the 
proposals for remuneration. In 2015, we 
implemented the new Swiss ‘say on pay’ law both 
in letter and in spirit. Our proposals were adopted 
with large majorities of our shareholders. Our 
Compensation Report explains our compensation 
system and pay-outs. It is submitted annually to 
an advisory vote of our shareholders.

Our Audit Committee oversees internal and 
external audit, financial reporting, compliance and 
risk management, and paid special attention to 
cyberlaw and quality this year.

Our Annual Report includes both our financial 
and nonfinancial commitments. It gives insights 
into how material issues affect our financial 
performance and how our long-term strategy 
relates to our ability to create value. We recognize 
that this is central to our business model and 
gives us our license to operate. For our company 
to be successful over the long term and create 
value for shareholders, we must also create value 
for society. 

Share capital distribution by geography

P	 Switzerland 
P	 United States 
P	 United Kingdom 
P	 Germany 
P	 Belgium 
P	 Luxembourg 
P	 Japan 
P	 Canada 
P	 China 
P	 France 
P	 Others  

35.21% 
26.80% 
5.78%
4.79%
4.47%
3.06%
2.46%
2.33%
2.02%
1.84% 
4.05%

Share capital by investor type, long-term evolution (a)

100% 

80% 

60% 

40% 

20% 

0% 

Institutions 

79%

Private Shareholders  21%

1999

2003

2007

2011 2015

(a)  Percentage derived from total number of registered shares. 
Registered shares represent 57.6% of the total share capital. 
Statistics are rounded, as at 31.12.2015.

55

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
 
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe

Paul Bulcke

Board of Directors of Nestlé S.A.

Helmut O. Maucher 
Honorary Chairman

David P. Frick 
Secretary to the Board

KPMG SA Geneva branch (1)
Independent auditors 

Board of Directors  
of Nestlé S.A. 
at 31 December 2015

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe (1, 2, 4)
Chairman
Paul Bulcke (1, 2)
Chief Executive Officer
Andreas Koopmann (1, 2, 3, 4)
Vice Chairman
Chairman, Georg Fischer AG
Beat Hess (1, 2)
Former Group Legal Director, 
Royal Dutch Shell plc.
Renato Fassbind (1, 2, 5)
Vice Chairman, Swiss Re AG
Daniel Borel (1, 3)
Co-founder, Logitech
International S.A.
Steven G. Hoch (1, 4)
Partner, Brown Advisory, LLC
Naïna Lal Kidwai (1, 5)
Former Chairperson, HSBC 
Group of Companies in India
Jean-Pierre Roth (1, 3)
Chairman, Geneva Cantonal Bank
Ann M. Veneman (1, 4)
Former Executive Director, 
UNICEF, and Secretary, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture
Henri de Castries (1, 5)
Chairman and CEO, AXA
Eva Cheng (1, 5)
Former Chairwoman and CEO, 
Amway China & Southeast Asia
Ruth K. Oniang’o (1)
Professor of Food Science
and Nutrition
Patrick Aebischer (1)
President of the Swiss
Federal Institute of
Technology Lausanne (EPFL)

For further information on the Board of 
Directors, please refer to the Corporate 
Governance Report 2015.

(1)  Term expires on the date of the  
Annual General Meeting 2016.

(2)  Chairman’s and Corporate 
  Governance Committee.
(3)  Compensation Committee.
(4)  Nomination Committee.
(5)  Audit Committee.

56

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
Andreas Koopmann

Beat Hess

Renato Fassbind

Daniel Borel

Steven G. Hoch

Naïna Lal Kidwai

Jean-Pierre Roth

Ann M. Veneman

Henri de Castries

Eva Cheng

Ruth K. Oniang’o

Patrick Aebischer

57

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Executive Board of Nestlé S.A.

Executive Board of Nestlé S.A. 
at 31 December 2015

  1  Paul Bulcke  

Chief Executive Officer

  2  Luis Cantarell 

EVP, Europe, Middle East, 
North Africa
  3  Laurent Freixe 

EVP, United States of  
America, Canada, Latin  
America, Caribbean

  4  Chris Johnson  

EVP, Nestlé Business  
Excellence
  5  Patrice Bula 

EVP, Strategic Business Units,

  Marketing and Sales
  6  Wan Ling Martello 

EVP, Asia, Oceania,
sub-Saharan Africa

  7  Stefan Catsicas  

  8  Marco Settembri  
EVP, Nestlé Waters
  9  François-Xavier Roger 

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

10  Magdi Batato

EVP, Operations

11  Peter Vogt 

Deputy EVP, 
Human Resources

12  Martial Rolland 
Deputy EVP,
Nestlé Professional

13  Heiko Schipper 
Deputy EVP, 
Nestlé Nutrition
14  David P. Frick 

SVP, Corporate Governance,  
Compliance and Corporate  
Services

EVP, Innovation Technology,  
Research and Development

Yves Philippe Bloch  
Corporate Secretary

EVP: Executive Vice President
SVP: Senior Vice President

For further information on the  
Executive Board, please refer to the 
Corporate Governance Report 2015.

58

Nestlé Annual Review 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13

12

11

4

14

8

10

2

3

6

1

9

7

5

59

Nestlé Annual Review 2015interactions with key stakeholders and taking 
care of the Group’s interests as custodians of 
Nestlé’s compliance and reputation across all 
businesses in a Market. Specific focus areas of 
the Corporate Compliance programme included 
the roll-out of our enhanced anti-corruption 
programme; emphasis on execution and 
efficiency of compliance processes and tools; 
renovated training tools for Code of Conduct, 
anti-corruption, security and anti-bribery; and 
improved internal and external communication. 
Our efforts were recognized by the joint best 
industry score for Compliance in this year’s Dow 
Jones Sustainability Index.

Compliance

Quality and trust is the very foundation on which 
we build our business. It includes our behaviour 
as a responsible company. Compliance at Nestlé 
includes following applicable laws and our own 
commitments in our principles and policies. 
Compliance helps us build trust, with our 
employees, as well as with our shareholders and 
our other stakeholders. This is what makes our 
efforts value adding and sustainable.

Our Corporate Business Principles, our 
Management and Leadership Principles and 
our Code of Business Conduct include our 
commitments to integrity. But we recognize that 
compliance is not a matter of ever more detailed 
policies and checklists. We cannot regulate 
honesty, but we are convinced that people know 
what honesty is. We aim to provide guidance to 
our people to do the ‘right’ thing even in situations 
which are not specifically regulated. 

We provide the necessary training in our 
Management School in Rive-Reine, at in-person 
trainings in the Markets, as well as through 
our e-learning tools. We monitor compliance 
though our corporate functions, our internal audit 
function and our external auditors. Through our 
CARE programme, which relies on independent 
external auditors, we regularly assess specific 
aspects of our compliance. 

Our Integrity Reporting System and our ‘Tell 
Us’ system allow us to address complaints from 
employees and external stakeholders. In 2015, 
250 CARE audits were conducted and gaps 
addressed. 1400 complaints from employees and 
370 complaints from suppliers and other third 
parties were investigated and remedial action 
taken. 

While Compliance remains a leadership 

responsibility, management is supported by our 
dedicated Corporate Compliance function and 
all functions engaged in our holistic, risk and 
principles based compliance programme. Our 
Compliance Committee defines the framework, 
facilitates coordination and provides guidance 
and best practices. Market Compliance Officers 
and committees ensure a consistent approach 
across the Group and help identify local 
compliance priorities. 

In 2015, we reemphasized the role of 
our Market Heads to focus on increasing 

60

Nestlé Annual Review 2015Shareholder information

Stock exchange listing
At 31 December 2015, Nestlé S.A. shares  
are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Zurich 
(ISIN code: CH0038863350). 
American Depositary Receipts (ISIN code: 
US6410694060) representing Nestlé S.A. 
shares are offered in the USA by Citibank, 
N.A., New York.

7 April 2016
149th Annual General Meeting, 
Beaulieu Lausanne, 
Lausanne (Switzerland) 

8 April 2016
Last trading day with entitlement to dividend

11 April 2016
Ex-dividend date

13 April 2016
Payment of the dividend

14 April 2016
2016 First quarter sales figures

18 August 2016
2016 Half-yearly Results

20 October 2016
2016 Nine months sales figures

16 February 2017
2016 Full Year Results

6 April 2017
150th Annual General Meeting, 
Beaulieu Lausanne, 
Lausanne (Switzerland)

Registered Offices
Nestlé S.A.
Avenue Nestlé 55
CH-1800 Vevey (Switzerland)
tel. +41 (0)21 924 21 11

Nestlé S.A. (Share Transfer Office)
Zugerstrasse 8
CH-6330 Cham (Switzerland)
tel. +41 (0)41 785 20 20

For additional information, contact:  
Nestlé S.A.  
Investor Relations
Avenue Nestlé 55 
CH-1800 Vevey (Switzerland)
tel. +41 (0)21 924 35 09
fax +41 (0)21 924 48 00
e-mail: ir@nestle.com

As to information concerning the share 
register (registrations, transfers,  
dividends, etc.), please contact:
Nestlé S.A. (Share Transfer Office)
Zugerstrasse 8 
CH-6330 Cham (Switzerland)
tel. +41 (0)41 785 20 20
fax +41 (0)41 785 20 24
e-mail: shareregister@nestle.com

The Annual Review is available online  
as a PDF in English, French and German.  
The consolidated income statement, balance 
sheet and cash flow statement are also 
available as Excel files.

www.nestle.com

© 2016, Nestlé S.A., Cham and Vevey 
(Switzerland)

The Annual Report contains forward 
looking statements which reflect 
Management’s current views and 
estimates. The forward looking 
statements involve certain risks and 
uncertainties that could cause actual 
results to differ materially from those 
contained in the forward looking 
statements. Potential risks and 
uncertainties include such factors as 
general economic conditions, foreign 
exchange fluctuations, competitive 
product and pricing pressures,  
and regulatory developments.

This Annual Report is published in 
German, English and French. The 
English version is binding for the 
content of the Annual Report of 
Nestlé S.A.

The brands in italics are registered 
trademarks of the Nestlé Group.

Visual concept and design
Nestec Ltd., Corporate Identity  
& Design, with Gavillet & Cie

Photography
Valérie Lhomme (products),  
Trevor Ray Hart (consumers),  
Alberto Venzago (boards),  
Harmen Hoogland, Bruno Jorge,  
Remo Nägeli, Franz Rindlisbacher

Illustrations
Helge Hjorth Bentsen

Production
brain’print GmbH (Switzerland)

Paper
This report is printed on Lessebo 
Smooth White, a paper produced 
from well-managed forests and other 
controlled sources certified by the 
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Nestlé Annual Review 2015

61