Nov. 7 - On 1 November 2007, the new operating company Friesland Foods Fresh commenced operations. This operating company is responsible for the production, sale and marketing of fresh dairy products in the Netherlands. These activities were split off from Friesland Foods Western Europe, which is now focusing on the production, sale and marketing of long-life dairy products, as well as branded fruit juices and fruit-based drinks.
As from 5 November 2007, the commercial and support activities relating to fresh dairy products will be carried out from Nijkerk.The production of fresh dairy products will also be transferred from Groningen to Nijkerk in mid-2008. Nijkerk will invest 5 million euros in expanding the production capacity and the distribution centre.
The changes to the organisation are the result of Vision 2015, the group’s long-term strategy. The activities of the fresh dairy products segment, in particular, have incurred losses over the past few years. Increased revenue at reduced costs is therefore necessary to ensure that activities will once again reach an acceptable level. Cost control is partly achieved by concentrating all fresh dairy activities at a single location, increasing operational efficiency and reducing overheads. The ambition is and will continue to be an attractive provider of high-quality fresh dairy products under the Friesche Vlag and customers’ own brands.