2006 was another record year for Nestlé, due to the group’s transformation into a nutrition, health and wellness company, with stronger innovation and branding, as well as improved efficiency.

At the same time, the company has strengthened its port-folio with the acquisitions of Uncle Tobys, Jenny Craig and Novartis Medical Nutrition, while divesting itself of more commoditised businesses.

Its competitiveness was further boosted by higher spending on marketing and R&D, the roll-out of GLOBE and shared services, as well as a strong commitment to savings programmes.

This drove profitability to record levels while maintaining top-line growth. The record result is, above all, a testimony to the quality of the company’s people.

For 2007, despite the tough input cost environment, the company again plans to deliver organic growth of between five and six per cent as well as an EBIT margin improvement.