L'entreprise Nestlé (document en anglais)

NESTLE

Nestley is a Swiss multinational food and beverage comany headquartered (localisée) in Vevey, Switzerland. It is the largest food company in the world measured by revenues.

Nestlé was formed in 1905 by the merger (fusion) of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company and Farine Lactée Henri nestlé. The company grew significantly during the First World War expanding (en augmentant) its offerings beyond (au-delà) its early condensed milk and infant formula products.

Nestlé felt the effects of the Second World War immediately. Profits dropped from US$20 million in 1938, to US$6 million in 1939. Factories were established in developing countries, particularly in Latin America. Ironically, the war helped with the introduction of the company's newest product,Nescafé ("Nestlé's Coffee"), which became a staple drink (boisson de base) of the US military. Nestlé's production and sales rose in the wartime economy.

After the war, government contracts (emplois) dried up (s'est arrêté), and consumers switched back to fresh milk. However, Nestlé's management responded quickly, streamlining operations and reducing debt. The 1920s saw Nestlé's first expansion into new products, with chocolate-manufacture becoming the company's second most important activity. Louis Dapples was CEO till 1937, when succeeded by Édouard Muller till his death in 1948.

The end of World War II was the beginning of a dynamic phase for Nestlé. Growth accelerated and numerous companies were acquired. In 1947 Nestlé merged with Maggi, a manufacturer of seasonings and soups. Crosse & Blackwell followed in 1950, as did Findus (1963), Libby's (1971) and Stouffer's (1973). Diversification came with a shareholding in L'Oréal in 1974. In 1977, Nestlé made its second venture outside the food industry, by acquiring Alcon Laboratories Inc.

In 1984, Nestlé's improved bottom line allowed the company to launch a new round of acquisitions, notably American food giant Carnation and the British confectionery company Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988, which brought the Willy Wonka brand – among others – to Nestlé.

The company has made a number of corporate acquisitions, including Crosse & Blackwell in 1950, Findus in 1963, Libby's in 1971, Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988, and Gerber in 2007.

Nestlé has a market capitalization of 233$ billion.

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