Wessanen to Reorganise After Posting Annual Losses

Wessanen have claimed in a trading statement that while 2012 was a turbulent year for the global economy, the organic food market seemed almost untouched by these conditions, trending positively with mid-single digit growth.

25 Feb 2013 --- “2012 could be characterised as a challenging year for Wessanen as well. It was the first year of executing our three-year strategic objectives: managing topline growth, profitability improvement and enablers. We have made clear progress in numerous areas, however not all of our initiatives have resulted in the desired outcome. Consequently, we have launched a transformation process - Wessanen 2015 - to improve our focus and substantially reduce complexity,” the company reported.

The grocery channel was once again the driving force behind the growth of organic food. The company achieved 4.6% organic growth in this channel with our core categories and brands in 2012. In the fourth quarter Wessanen realised 6.9% autonomous growth. Newly acquired Clipper showed a strong performance as well, posting 11% growth versus last year. The health food stores channel only grew modestly. The HFS performance was disappointing, particularly due to our wholesale and distribution activities.

At Frozen Foods Wessanen are integrating under new leadership both businesses into one stronger company, newly named IZICO. A sharpened, focussed strategy will establish IZICO as a more profitable business by the end of 2013.

ABC capitalised on improvements in the previous years, leading to ongoing autonomous revenue growth. Daily's maintained its leading position in the attractive ready-to-drink cocktails market thanks to strong advertising campaigns across diverse media channels, innovations and an increase in distribution. Postponing the divestment process was a setback. After a comprehensive process to divest ABC, we had to conclude that the bids received did not adequately reflect ABC's fundamental value, resulting in the decision to postpone the sale in December.

Although Wessanen realised 0.7% autonomous growth in 2012, Wessanen had to report a full year net loss of €53 million, driven by the weakened performance in parts of our business, costs incurred for our transformational programme and impairment losses at Allos, Kallo, Tartex and IZICO.

To make Wessanen more profitable, the company is conducting a transformation to realise cost savings and be a more consumer- and customer-led company. By becoming more agile, more focussed, less complex and more efficient, Wessanen should be growing profitably in all business segments in the near future.

“I fully acknowledge the consequences this reorganisation will have for many of our colleagues, who will be leaving. I am grateful for their considerable contributions in building our businesses. Whilst 2013 will be another challenging year, I am confident that with the dedication and commitment of our people we will be able to further boost the sustainable growth and long term value for all stakeholders,” a CEO statement concluded.