Nestlé Announces Changes to its Waters Business and Establishes Group Strategy and Business Development Function
Nestlé has decided to integrate the Nestlé Waters business into the group’s three geographical zones, effective from January 1, 2020. A dedicated Strategic Business Unit (SBU) will be created and report to Patrice Bula, member of the executive board and Head of Strategic Business Units, Marketing & Sales. The new Waters SBU will ensure strategic alignment globally and manage core global functions.
The move, subject to employee consultation where required, will help utilise Nestlé’s strong local expertise, better respond to rapidly changing consumer preferences, accelerate profitable growth and create synergies.
Nestlé created Nestlé Waters in 1992, following the acquisition of Source Perrier. The business saw a rapid and successful international expansion to become the world’s leading bottled water company. It now has almost 50 renowned and iconic brands, such as S.Pellegrino, Perrier, Acqua Panna, Poland Spring and Nestlé Pure Life. With their quality and taste, these products offer a convenient and safe way to drink water and hydrate at every occasion. The waters business is an integral part of Nestlé’s nutrition, health and wellness strategy and is one of the company’s high-growth product categories.
Nestlé has also announced changes to its executive board. Maurizio Patarnello, Deputy Executive Vice President and Head of Nestlé Waters, will leave the Nestlé executive board on December 31, 2019. He will continue to advise Nestlé Waters in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new organizational structure.
Nestlé has appointed Sanjay Bahadur, currently Head of Acquisitions and Business Development, to the executive board as Deputy Executive Vice President, effective January 1, 2020. Sanjay Bahadur will head the newly created Group Strategy and Business Development function, which will support Nestlé in identifying internal and external strategic growth opportunities. The new function will also manage external partnerships and licensing agreements for the Nestlé Group and oversee the company’s corporate venture capital activities.
