2000 a vintage year for Dutch dairy giant

Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods, Europe’s third largest milk processor, has reported net sales up 3.8% to r4.1 billion for the year ending 30 December 2000.
Backed by a strong US dollar against the guilder, net income more than doubled compared with the previous year to E78 million, suggesting the Dutch multinational’s programme of taking over and streamlining dairy companies is paving the way for a promising year. Oper- ating income as a percentage of net sales, meanwhile, was at its best for many years at 3.9%.
The Meppel-based co-op processed 5.2 billion kg of milk during 2000, down 2% on last year. This was due to a 6% reduction in farmer supplier numbers.
Concentration this year is to be on brand names after it emerged that the company’s top 15 product ranges were responsible for some 34% of total net sales during 2000. The successful lines included the international labels Frico, Completa, CoolBest, Debic, Takso, Dutch Lady, Friso and Domo long life, which is now beginning to dominate the drinking milk markets in the Netherlands and Germany.
Friesland is aiming to step up the marketing of its top brands in some regions, including Western Europe, North America, the rapidly recovering South East Asia and the promising Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs).
Strengthening positions in such markets will, says the company, take precedence over any further expansion.
That said, the co-op has at least one important acquisition on the cards for early this summer