Nestlé Lanka delivers good performance in 2013 amidst a challenging environment
View(s):Revenues at Nestlé Lanka PLC grew by 8.2 per cent in 2013 to Rs. 30.9 billion during a ‘challenging’ year in which the company purchased its highest ever milk collection (on an annual basis).
Revenue for the last quarter 2013 rose again by 8.2 per cent to Rs. 7.8 billion.
Year-end profits rose to Rs. 3.3 billion, up 12.5 per cent from the previous year. In a statement to the media, Nestlé said it continued to increase investment in trade and marketing activities.
“The macro-environment in 2013 was one of soft growth; fraught with lowered consumer confidence, industry issues and economic ambiguity. Our response was to increase brand support, accelerate innovation, invest in our people, continue responsible business operations and provide consumers with nutritionally superior food and beverages of the highest safety and quality,” Ganesan Ampalavanar, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka PLC was quoted as saying.
One of the programmes launched during the year was the incorporation of the Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme into the Government’s island wide “Poshanayai Suwadiviyai” (Nutrition for a Healthy Life) nutrition awareness campaign.
The Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme material and modules on nutrition education and healthy living will now be available at over 7,500 secondary, public schools across the country.
The company purchase 62 million litres of local fresh milk from 18,000 Sri Lankan farmers in 2013, marking the company’s highest ever milk collection in Sri Lanka. The company said it uses Sri Lankan fresh milk for its popular dairy based products Nespray, Milo and Milkmaid.
Nandu Nandkishore, Executive Vice-President for the Nestlé worldwide group, who visited Sri Lanka last December, said: “We see great value in our emerging markets, including Sri Lanka, and we will continue to invest in its growth, our people and operations and deliver upon our promise of value at every juncture.”