Industry: Nestlé sells its ice cream business, but will not leave Tunisia!
20 November 2009
Read by 1913 persons
Nestlé will not leave Tunisia. We have been here for 40 years and will continue to grow our market here. This is what Bertrand J. Sigwalt, general manager of Nestlé Tunisia, announced following the sale of its ice cream business at the Carthage site in Tunisia to GIAS (Générale Industrielle Alimentaire Slama) in partnership with the Libyan group Al-Naseem For Ice Cream and Dairy Products.
However, the amount of this transaction was not disclosed, with Mr. J. Sigwalt simply stating: "We had good negotiations with the buyer. Both parties are satisfied to conclude this deal."
According to Bertrand J. Sigwalt's explanations, the company has been suffering losses for years on its ice cream business, which is considered unprofitable in Tunisia, even though 80% of Tunisians consume Nestlé brands. He specified that the Swiss group is concentrating its efforts on developing sectors and limiting businesses where it is losing money, both in Tunisia and in other countries around the world.
After the sale of its ice cream business, Nestlé will now prioritize its three other activities: dry grocery production, nutrition, and the food service business (coffee machines, beverage products), which are developing strongly, according to the general manager of Nestlé Tunisia.
However, he believes that Nestlé is very confident that the Tunisian company GIAS and its Libyan partner Al-Naseem will be able to jointly develop the ice cream business profitably in the local and foreign markets, since they plan to export their products to Algeria next year.
It should be noted that the Nestlé ice cream brands sold to the new buyers are Tropique, Magic, Escroc, Lesquise, and Kimkom. Others, such as Crunch, for example, will be produced under license and under Nestlé's quality control.
According to the general manager of the Swiss company, the sale of Nestlé's ice cream business fulfilled all the conditions of sale, as it is announced that all jobs related to the ice cream business will be maintained with all acquired social benefits.
Furthermore, the Carthage site will continue to manufacture ice cream with the new acquirer and cereals under the Grain D'Or brand with Nestlé Tunisia. In this context, the Nestlé group will launch industrial investments at the Carthage site next December to develop cereal production.
Khemaies Ben Braiek
Published on November 20, 2009
Posted online on November 20, 2009
webmanagercenter.com
However, the amount of this transaction was not disclosed, with Mr. J. Sigwalt simply stating: "We had good negotiations with the buyer. Both parties are satisfied to conclude this deal."
According to Bertrand J. Sigwalt's explanations, the company has been suffering losses for years on its ice cream business, which is considered unprofitable in Tunisia, even though 80% of Tunisians consume Nestlé brands. He specified that the Swiss group is concentrating its efforts on developing sectors and limiting businesses where it is losing money, both in Tunisia and in other countries around the world.
After the sale of its ice cream business, Nestlé will now prioritize its three other activities: dry grocery production, nutrition, and the food service business (coffee machines, beverage products), which are developing strongly, according to the general manager of Nestlé Tunisia.
However, he believes that Nestlé is very confident that the Tunisian company GIAS and its Libyan partner Al-Naseem will be able to jointly develop the ice cream business profitably in the local and foreign markets, since they plan to export their products to Algeria next year.
It should be noted that the Nestlé ice cream brands sold to the new buyers are Tropique, Magic, Escroc, Lesquise, and Kimkom. Others, such as Crunch, for example, will be produced under license and under Nestlé's quality control.
According to the general manager of the Swiss company, the sale of Nestlé's ice cream business fulfilled all the conditions of sale, as it is announced that all jobs related to the ice cream business will be maintained with all acquired social benefits.
Furthermore, the Carthage site will continue to manufacture ice cream with the new acquirer and cereals under the Grain D'Or brand with Nestlé Tunisia. In this context, the Nestlé group will launch industrial investments at the Carthage site next December to develop cereal production.
Khemaies Ben Braiek
Published on November 20, 2009
Posted online on November 20, 2009
webmanagercenter.com
