The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FrieslandCampina

  • FrieslandCampina to invest 23m Euros in Nigeria

    Dairy giant Royal FrieslandCampina has announced its decision to invest 23 million euros in local milk production as part of its Dairy Development Programme (DDP) in Nigeria.

    The company’s Global CEO, Hein Schumacher, made this known when he led FrieslandCampina delegation on a courtesy visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the weekend.

    The delegation included the President, Consumer Dairy, Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands, Roel van Neerbos; Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Ben Langat.

    Others were Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Robert Petri; Chairman, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Jacobs Ajekigbe; and Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Ore Famurewa.

    Commending FrieslandCampina WAMCO for initiating the DDP and thus encouraging other investors to embrace backward integration in the sector, Osinbajo spoke about the need to develop a robust plan to improve local production across the country.

    He said: “The plan of extending the dairy development programme to other states is extremely important. I think that backward integration is crucial. My worry is the lack of incentives for backward integration.”

    Speaking to newsmen at the State House, Schumacher said the Vice President asked the company to continue to invest in local dairy farming to increase local production of milk.

    While stating that the company was fully aligned with Osinbajo’s request, he said: “We will take forward the programmes we have been running and expand them.

    “We are investing around 23 million euros in our evaporated milk and ready-to-drink milk factory in order to provide fresh milk for the Nigerian consumer.”

    Schumacher said FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been successful with dairy development in recent years and milk yield was improving.

    Highlighting the milestones of FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s DDP, Langat explained that four model farms with crossbreed cows have been established to improve local milk collection across its five milk collection centres.

    “Our company is fully committed to working with local farmers to grow local milk production and ultimately, ensure that Nigerians continue to benefit from the nutritious content of milk,” he said.

    Langat said working with 3, 500 dairy farmers in over 90 farming communities in Oyo State, the company was already providing the required knowledge transfer and sustainable livelihoods for communities.

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO celebrates accident-free operations

    As part of activities marking this year’s World Environment Day, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, makers of Peak and Three Crowns milk, has announced its safety feat of achieving 2000 days of Lost Time Accident (LTA)-free operations.

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat, said in Lagos that the company attained five years plus 175 LTA-free days on World Environment Day.

    “We made this significant achievement through accountability and transparency in reporting incidents, in addition to continuous learning and improvement, cross-functional collaboration, regulatory compliance and relentless commitment to safety,” Langat said.

    The World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and is celebrated on June 5 yearly to raise global awareness on taking positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet.

    This year’s celebration was themed “Beating plastic pollution” to address environmental concerns.

    Langat said FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s safety, health and environment policy was designed to protect the work environment from pollution.

    “Building an injury-free workplace requires deliberate focus and investment. FrieslandCampina WAMCO devotes significant time and resources to implement safety controls and build an unrelenting safety culture,” Langat said.

    He added that the company has consistently invested in machine technology trainings related to trouble-shooting and maintenance.

    Besides, various projects, he said, have been implemented to protect employees and ensure optimal guarding of machines. “Use of correct PPE is strictly implemented. The life-saving rules training also had a big impact on our operations

    “At FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, safety is embedded in our culture, and employees are committed to going the extra mile to ensure a safe working environment, which is incident free.

    “For this great result, we thank all employees who have made this happen through their commendable safety behavior. Together we will continue on our journey of leading with safety,”  he added.

    Lagos State Safety Commission Director-General, Mr. Hakeem Dickson, commended the company for its achievement, adding that the company has displayed exemplary safety conduct, which has led to over five years of zero incidents. He urged others to follow this example.

     

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO posts N140b turnover

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc,  makers of Peak and Three Crowns milk brands, yesterday, announced  a 13.2 per cent increase in turnover, from N123.75 billion in 2016 to N140.08billion in 2017.

    The dairy giant’s Proût Before Tax (PBT), however, decreased by 20.6 per cent, from N19.96billion to N15.86billion as a result of the ûre incident that occurred in its evaporated milk factory.

    Consequently, shareholders, at its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, approved a final dividend of N7.02 per ordinary share of N0.50 each (having paid an interim dividend of N2.20 per N0.50 in October 2017), bringing the total dividend paid out to N9.22 per N0.50 share in the year under review.

    The company said although 2017 was a challenging business year, it showed resilience and determination to meet its targets and thrive amidst a difficult operating environment.

    In spite of the economic headwinds, the company increased investment to improve operational efficiency by procuring two new sterilisers, a conveyor, two high speed sachet filling machines with improved technology and a dust extractor system to optimise safety in the powder plant.

     

     

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO appoints new Marketing Director

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC has announced the appointment of Chris Wulff-Caesar as its Marketing Director with effect from 1 April, 2018.

    By this, Chris joins the Management Team of the company and will report to the Managing Director, Ben Langat and is expected to work from Lagos, Nigeria.

    He is saddled with the responsibility to lead the marketing team behind Peak Milk, to drive strong consumer experience and innovation.

    In his remark, Managing Director, Ben Langat, said: “We’re making massive strides towards increasing the dairy portfolio for consumer preference and living our mission of providing quality and affordable nutrition for Nigerians; together with Chris, we will continue to put the consumer first in realizing our business ambitions.”

    Until his appointment at FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Chris Wulff-Caesar was the Marketing Director, West Africa (Ghana & Nigeria) at ABInBev and member of the Board of Accra Brewery Ltd in Ghana. During his tenure, he led the establishment of a formidable brand portfolio which transformed the markets to wrestle share away from incumbent competitors. Whilst at SABMiller, he also held the positions of Category

    Expansion/Innovation Manager for Africa based in Johannesburg (2010 -2012) and Marketing Director for Ghana (2007 – 2010).

    He is a proven marketer, commercial operator and business leader with almost 20 years working experience in both local and international roles for ABInBev, SABMiller and Unilever. His career has seen him accrue a wealth of experience in managing the primary assets of these leading FMCG organizations i.e. brands and people.

    Chris Wulff-Caesar, a Ghanaian, holds a BA (Honors) Degree in Economics from the University of Ghana and an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School of the Heriot-Watt University in Scotland United Kingdom. He is an Associate member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

    He is also involved with a few non-profit organizations which target the development and establishment of infrastructure for primary education for disadvantaged students.

    Chris succeeds Tarang Gupta, who is now the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina (Dutch Lady) Malaysia. FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC is affiliated to Royal FrieslandCampina of The Netherlands, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the world.

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO empowers eight nutritionists

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO, makers of Peak and Three Crowns milk, has awarded cash prizes to eight young nutritionists for their excellent scientific research presentations.

    The dairy firm made gave the awards at the just-concluded 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.

    The awardees, who are M. Sc and Ph.D students below 35, included Ifeoma Ezeh, Yetunde Ogundairo, Chukwuka Oluebube and Joy Amadi.

    Others were Michael Oderinde, Ebunoluwa Odeyinde, Chinenye Ekwueme and John Ebenezer.

    Tagged “Controversies in nutrition: Separating facts from fads and fallacies,” the five-day conference was held at the University of Ibadan and it had over 600 participants.

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO also championed fitness routines for the delegates. The company organised 15-minute twice-daily Three Crowns milk-sponsored aerobic sessions that drew attention to the need for everyone to stay fit and healthy with the right nutrition and daily exercises.

    Participants enjoyed a 30-minute cardio session on the last day of the conference.

    Nutrition Society of Nigeria President Dr. Bartholomew Brai also drew attention to the worsening nutrition indices in Nigeria, saying:“The increased social media influence on food choices of Nigerians, which are mere fads and fallacies, are affecting the health of our populace negatively.”

    The Keynote Speaker, Prof I. A. Onimawo, highlighted key controversies in nutrition that affect infant and young child feeding, food consumption, diet-related non-communicable diseases and healthy diets.

    In a communiqué after the conference, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria called on the government to ensure nutrition security through budgetary allocations and institutionalising nutrition in relevant ministries and agencies.

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria appoints Langat MD

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria appoints Langat MD

    Ben Langat has been appointed Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC with effect from March 13.  He will report to Roel van Neerbos, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer Products Europe, Middle East and Africa, and he will be located in Lagos, Nigeria.

    Until June last year, Langat was the Managing Director of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company where he led major business transformation, route to market plan growing volumes and market share and delivered double digit growth despite economic challenges.  He further expanded the business into new categories including the successful launch of Pulpy.   He developed a strong talented team for the business over the period.

    Langat has over 24 years work experience spanning various senior management roles in Unilever Kenya, Malawi and Ghana respectively.

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO factory gutted by fire

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO factory gutted by fire

    The condensed factory of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc in Ogba Industrial Estate, Ikeja, Lagos State, was yesterday gutted by fire.

    The fire was, however, promptly put under control by the Lagos State Fire Service supported by FrieslandCampina WAMCO safety team and corporate neighbours.

    No casualties were recorded in the process, as immediate action was taken to safeguard the lives of employees on duty by evacuating them.

    Only the conveyor area of the condensed factory was affected through a mass conveyor carrying empty cans to the filling room.

    The company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Ore Famurewa, in a statement issued yesterday said: “The fire outbreak, which occurred at around 1:10pm, was contained by 1:55pm. The fire was caused by electrical malfunction in the conveyor section.

    “We commend our employees for showing high commitment and safety leadership in organizing themselves during the fire. In all this, FrieslandCampina WAMCO operations were not disrupted by the incident. As always, we ensure the safety and security of our employees as high priority.”

    Famurewa expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Fire Service, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Safety Team, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) fire team and nearby corporate organisations like Guinness Nigeria for their rapid response to curtail the fire outbreak.

    “We thank all our stakeholders for their show of concern,” Famurewa said, adding that as the leading producer of dairy products in Nigeria, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria was strongly poised to satisfy its teeming consumers.

     

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO marks safety record

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria ended the year with a new record in safety, health and environmental performance, recording four years without Lost Time Accident (LTA).

    Speaking in Lagos at an event to mark the achievement, the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Mr. Rahul Colaco, said: “People don’t wake up in the morning expecting to get hurt.

    “In FrieslandCampina, we believe nobody should be injured while at work. That is why ‘Zero Accident’ is one of our company’s 4-Zero KPI’s (Zero Accident, Zero Quality Defect, Zero Lost Sales and Zero Waste).’’

    Colaco noted that Zero Accident ensures that everyone working for FrieslandCampina, including suppliers and visitors, return home safely and unharmed.

    He said the campaign was focused on simulating the right safety behavior where safety values drive continuous improvement.

    In addition to Zero Accident, FrieslandCampina WAMCO reduces cost of operations and impact on the environment with Zero Waste, using the 3R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle.

    Separation and segregation of waste (paper, nylon, food waste, plastic) from source has substantially reduced waste, which is then evacuated for recycling by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)-approved third parties.

    In September, the dairy giant was awarded “Company of the Year” at the Nigerian Safety Awards for Excellence – a platform that celebrates exceptional corporate initiatives that promote Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) best practices in the workplace.

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria also celebrated its Safety Day with an update of its safety records board, a fitness walk, in-house safety contest and vehicular safety campaign by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    FrieslandCampina’s first life-saving rule is: “I am safe.” Its Corporate Affairs Director, Ore Famurewa, explained: “It is only through this approach that we will continue to succeed in setting safety records.’’

    She said as a company, FrieslandCampina believes that if it is successful in working safely, it will be successful in all other areas as well and its consumers and business partners will also be safe.

  • FrieslandCampina WAMCO donates to IDPs

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria has donated 5,000 cartons of Peak Milk to children in  Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

    The diary giant routed the items through the “Get  Involved” campaign of the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.

    After the presentation, Mrs. Buhari posted a picture on Instagram as aishambuhari and captioned it as follows: “After a meeting with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Ore Famurewa and Public Affairs Manager, Mrs. Temitope Adeola – Special thanks to FrieslandCampina WAMCO  for supporting the Northeast project through my #GetInvolved campaign with 5,000 cartons of Peak Milk sachets.”

    Mrs. Famurewa explained that the donation was aimed at improving the nutritional status of vulnerable children living in IDP camps in the northeast.

    “In a recent report by UNICEF, an estimated 400,000 children under age five will suffer from severe acute malnutrition across the northeast of Nigeria this year alone. Our contribution is, therefore, aimed at scaling up and reaching all children in dire need of good nutrition,” Mrs Famurewa said.

    The donation came barely a year after the company donated cartons of milk worth over N100 million to support IDPs in Adamawa State.

    Mrs Famurewa added: “Being a corporate citizen and a partner in progress for sustainable development, FrieslandCampina WAMCO lauds the efforts of the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, in the advocacy for health and nutrition for women, children and vulnerable persons in Nigeria.

    “We stand with the First Lady’s Get Involved Initiative today in calling on government at all levels to prioritise issues regarding nutrition in their development agenda.”

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been in the forefront of reducing malnutrition in Nigeria. In August, the Chief Executive Officer, Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands, presented dairy products and education materials to children of an IDP camp in Kuchingoro, Abuja.

  • FrieslandCampina invests N4b in dairy devt

    FrieslandCampina invests N4b in dairy devt

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, dairy producer, said it has so far invested over N4 billion in its Dairy Development Programme (DDP), an initiative aimed at developing the local dairy industry.

    The firm, which is currently the only dairy manufacturer sourcing part of its raw milk requirement locally for production, does this by creating a sustainable raw milk value-chain that contributes to food security via provision of quality dairy nutrition to Nigerians as well as providing jobs.

    Its Corporate Affairs Director, Ore Famurewa, said the firm believes in supporting local content wherever it operates, adding that it has made significant progress in the development of local milk production.

    She said the company’s target was to achieve 10 per cent local content in raw milk production every five years, it is currently doing three per cent. “Dairy development is a gradual thing. You can’t compare milk development to crop development. For us, it is slow and steady, but we will surely get there,” she assured.

    Famurewa spoke on Tuesday while conducting newsmen and two visiting professors from The Netherlands round its dairy development facilities in Oyo State. The facilities include a Milk Bulking Centre in Iseyin and four functional Milk Collection Centres (MCCs) in Fasola, Alaga, Maya and Iseyin, all in Oyo State.

    The two professors: Imke de Boer, a Professor of Animal Science, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and Managing Director, Wageningen Academy, Janine Luten were in Nigeria at the behest of FrieslandCampina for cooperation talks with the University of Ibadan (UI) in the areas of knowledge sharing and exchange programme with Nigerian dairy farmers.

    Famurewa explained that when the company started its DDP in August 2010, it was buying milk from Zimbabwean farmers in Shonga, Kwara State and bringing to its factory for production. But the company, she said, realised that this was not enough; it was better to get Nigerians, the local Fulani farmers to milk cows for it.