press release
Utrecht, April 22, 2009
Wessanen to focus on European natural, organic and specialty
food products
Highlights:
· Review to exit all North American branded and distribution businesses
· Focus strategically on natural, organic and specialty food products in Europe
· Change European segment reporting
The Executive Board of Royal Wessanen nv today announces that Wessanen's strategy going
forward will focus on growing its presence in the European natural, organic and specialty food
markets through organic growth and acquisitions. In the coming months, Wessanen will regroup
and further focus these activities, and expects to provide more detail on its strategy later this
year when it has concluded a strategic review of its European business.
In February of this year, Wessanen already announced a review of the business case to sell its
US based drinks company American Beverage Corporation. Wessanen will also start an
investigation into exiting all of its other North American businesses, consisting of the distribution
business Tree of Life North America, and the branded businesses PANOS Brands and Liberty
Richter.
In light of its strategic focus, Wessanen will change its European reporting segments with
immediate effect. From now on, Wessanen's European businesses will consist of Wessanen
Europe (natural, organic and specialty food products) with revenue of EUR 501 million in 2008
and Frozen Foods with revenue of EUR 158 million in 2008. The management of branded and
distribution activities in the various European countries is increasingly integrated. Hence, these
activities are less distinctive as separate reporting segments. Details of the change in reporting
segments are provided in the appendices.
Chamber of Commerce . Amsterdam 33145851
Wessanen will announce its first quarter results on May 5, 2009 ahead of the May 13 date
communicated earlier.
Wessanen's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders is held today at 2.30 p.m. in Utrecht.
Executive Board
Royal Wessanen nv
Appendices:
- Breakdown European businesses in Wessanen Europe and Frozen Foods
- Breakdown of 2008 quarterly segmental revenue and operating profit
About Wessanen
Royal Wessanen nv is a multinational food corporation based in the Netherlands. We earn our revenues by
sourcing, producing, marketing and distributing high-quality organic, natural and specialty food products in
North America and Europe.