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Dairy Partners Worldwide (DPW)

Group 5
Strategic Alliances & Joint Ventures
Sagar Gupta
Radhika Bhatter
Rakshit Sharma
Soumyajit Sengupta
Varun Gopal
Aneesha Chandra
Cristina Morini

12P041
12P096
12P160
12P171
12P174
12P186
Exchange

Agenda
Scheme of Presentation

Business Case

Partner
Selection

Negotiations

Alliance
Management

Alliance
Assessment

Business Case

Nestle (Switzerland)
Company Snapshot

Brief Company Snapshot

Competitive Positioning

Headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, the company is the world leader


in food manufacturing

Largest packed food company in the world, with focus on nutrition,


health and taste

The company has transformed itself into a nutrition, health and wellness
company

Key brands include Maggi, KitKat, Milo, Nescafe, Purina, Herta, Dreyers
and Gerber

Well diversified product portfolio with leading global market positions in


coffee, infant nutrition, confectionary, ice cream, bottled water and pet CHF 61.9
food

Brand portfolio consists of 30+ Billionaire brands


Nestle employs nearly 339,000 people in 468 factories in 86 countries

#1 player in global infant nutrition


Largest global player in coffee (mainly instant coffee) with 22% global
market share

Largest emerging market exposure absolutely


There are several nutrition product lines in which Nestle has low or no
presence namely yoghurt, nutrition bars, dark chocolate etc.

Business Segment Breakdown

Geographic Breakdown

Financials

Water
8%
Confectionary
11%
Nutrition
11%

2011A

2012A

2013E

2014E

89,190

100,938

106,994

112,344

(4.9)%

13.2%

6.0%

5.0%

13,278

15,232

16,250

17,247

% Margin

14.9%

15.1%

15.2%

15.4%

Net Income

10,438

12,092

12,802

13,564

% Margin

11.7%

12.0%

12.0%

12.1%

Revenue
Beverages
22%

ROW
27%
Americas
45%

Milk Products
20%

Pet Care
12% Prepared
Dishes
16%

% Growth

Europe
28%

EBIT

Nestle
444 Roadmap
Mission Statement
Good Food, Good Life
To provide consumers with the best tasting, most nutritious choices in a wide range of food and beverage categories and
eating occasions from morning to night

Objective
To be the leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness, trusted by all stakeholders

444 Roadmap
Builds strong alignment within the company of what they want to achieve, strategically and financially, and how to go
about it

Competitive Advantages

Growth Drivers

Operational Pillars

Diverse Product and brand portfolio

Leadership in Nutrition, Health and Wellness

Leadership in innovation and renovation

Unmatched R&D capability

Popularly Positioned Products (PPP)

Operational efficiency

Unmatched geographic presence

Premiumization strategy

Products are available whenever, wherever


and however

Out-of-home consumption

Consumer engagement

Source:
Company
website,
filings
People,
culture,
valuesCompany
and attitude

Nestle
SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Weaknesses

Diverse product portfolio with several strong


brand names
Widespread geographic presence in 86
countries with well-established distribution
channel
Strong marketing and advertising skills
Strong R&D capabilities and focus on
innovation
Proficiency in M&A, strategic alliances and
joint ventures

Lack of consistency in product lines across


geographies
Swift strategic decisions and aggressive steps
by competitors has led to lagging behind of
Nestle in some areas and business segments
Weak financials (particularly profit margins)
Increasing emphasis on mature markets

Opportunities

Threats

Increasing focus of consumers on health and


nutrition
Increased focus on developing nations
Penetration of rural markets
Tapping into the growing out-of-home eating
market

Deterioration in consumer environment in


developed regions
Strengthening of Swiss Franc
Higher input cost inflation
Increase in competition
Increase in competition from private labels
Key markets are maturing

Yoghurt Industry
Key Trends

Changes in the Dairy Industry

Key Growth Drivers

The global dairy industry is undergoing a paradigm shift

Surge in consumer demand in most countries for drinkable yogurt,


organic yogurt, bio yogurt, or fruited / flavoured yogurts due to:

Advent of functional products

The rising awareness about lifestyle related health concerns such as


diabetes and obesity

Emphasis on low calorie, low sugar, digestive products


Instead of the traditional milk, cheese, and butter concepts, more
functional products such as yogurt, probiotics, etc. are now being
accepted as the medium of delivery for beneficial functional
ingredients
The conventional spoonful of plain yogurt is increasingly substituted by
drinkable yogurt, organic yogurt, bio yogurt, or fruited / flavoured
yogurts.

CHF 61.9

Rising awareness about the benefits of yogurt, with its positioning as a


health-promoting product that improves metabolism, has a positive
impact on digestive mechanism, and enhances the immune system
Increasing consumers willingness to try the new and innovative product
offerings available, as a result of their wider international exposure
Emergence of dual income households with higher disposable incomes

Yoghurt In Europe and Emerging Economies


As per the GIA, the European and Asia-Pacific markets, which account

Yoghurt In USA
Package Facts estimated the U.S. market for yogurt sold at retail to be

for a more than 80% share of volume consumption, dominate the global
yogurt market

$7.3 billion in 2012, up 6.6% from 2011. They also estimated that by 2017,
sales will hit almost $9.3 billion. This growth is attributed to one sub
category: Greek yogurt whose sales increased more than 50% in the last
year in food, drug and mass channels

Within the Asia-Pacific region, China is the fastest growing regional


market for yogurt in terms of consumption (value and volume)

As per Euromonitor estimates, emerging markets, including China and


India, will contribute 95% of the global dairy markets growth between
2011 and 2016

When compared to high consumption markets as France (which sees


an annual consumption of25 kg), Germany (24 kg), and Holland (23 kg),
the per capita consumption in India is a meagre 2.3 kg per year

Refrigerated yogurt is the eighth largest selling subcategory in food,


CHF 61.9

drug and mass market (excluding Walmart)

Yogurt sale is growing in food services menus


The top three marketers of yogurt account for almost three quarters of
all yogurt sales in food, drug and mass market channels

Partner Selection

Partner Selection
Selection criteria

Complementary Capabilities

Technical Resources & Skills should be complementary in nature

Optimum Mutual Dependency

There has to be some identifiable mutual need and middle level of


dependency, not too much or too less

Similar Company Size

Elephant & the Ant complex has to be avoided at all costs

Financially Stable

The partner should be financially capable of investing in the JV

Strategic Complementarity

Goals and objectives of the partners have to have strategic fit

Compatible Operating Philosophy

Inconsistencies related to normal operations should be as low as


possible, like the accounting system or employee benefits

Low Culture Barriers

Cultural, Communication barriers should be as lo as possible to


reduce effort and time allocated to solving cultural issues

Compatible Management

Close personal rapport if available, should be treated with


premium as it helps JVs succeed exponentially

Ethical and Trustworthy

Partners should look at all business issues with the same and
highest levels of integrity and honesty

General Mills (United States)


Company Snapshot

Brief Company Snapshot

Company Sales

Complementary
Capabilities

Located in Minneapolis, USA the company holds #1 or #2


positions in growing food categories in USA and around the world

Bakeries and
Foodservice
12%

Main product categories in the US Retail markets are ready-toeat products, frozen products, mixes, grain, cereals, snacks and
organic products

International
25%

Mutual Dependency

Non-US
25%

US Retail
63%

US
75%

Main product categories in the international arena include

Similar Company Size

superpremium ice cream and frozen desserts, refrigerated yogurt,


snacks, frozen products, and dry dinners

Financially Stable

Financial Snapshot
USD

2011A

2012A

2013E

2014E

Revenue

14,880

16,658

17,774

18,218

EBIT

2,774

2,562

2,852

3,040

Net
Income

1,804

1,589

1,892

1,938

Share Price Performance

Market Capitalization

USD

32,282

54

Enterprise Value

USD

39,966

50

Share Price

USD

48.53

EV/Revenue 2013E

2.2x

EV/EBITDA 2013E

11.2x

P/E 2013E

17.3x

Strategic Complementarity

46
42

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

38
34
Jun/2011

Oct/2011

Key Brands

Feb/2012

Jun/2012

Oct/2012

Feb/2013

Jun/2013

Company Overview

Low Culture Barriers

With 30 manufacturing facilities spread across the world, the company


distributes its products in over 100+ countries

Compatible Management

Founded in 1866, the companys goal is to generate balanced longterm growth

The key growth drivers for the company are innovation, brand-building,
leading customer growth, margin and international expansion

Ethical and Trustworthy

General Mills (United States)


Company Snapshot

General Mills has the yogurt production capabilities while Nestle has the global marketing & distribution capabilities.

Complementary
Capabilities

Both General Mills and Nestle are big market players and will be dependent on each other for Yoplaits international expansion

Mutual Dependency

Both General Mills and Nestle are market leaders in their fields of business, one nationally and the other, globally

Similar Company Size

General Mills and Nestle have been at the forefront of announcing high profits over the years and have given increasing dividends every year

Financially Stable

General Mills hopes to increase revenues to touch the $20 billion mark while Nestle wants to increase its product portfolio in emerging nations

Strategic Complementarity

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

Having previously collaborated in a continuing JV globally, GM and Nestle should have lower cultural barriers than most America-European JV partners

Low Culture Barriers

CPW has allowed both the managements to get in touch with the different styles of management of the partner and this will help in increasing the success
potential of this new JV due to the personal rapport that the top management of GM and Nestle share between themselves

Compatible Management

Nestle and General Mills have been highly vocal in their use of organic food and have been donating generously to fund product innovations. Both the firms
maintain the highest forms of honesty and integrity in their operations, exhibited by the low number of product recalls or controversies.

Ethical and Trustworthy

Groupe Danone (France)


Company Profile

Brief Company Snapshot

Company Sales

French food-based Multinational Corporation

Products include fresh dairy products, bottled water, cereals


17%

World No.1 in fresh dairy products

World No.2 in bottled waters, by volume

World No.2 in baby nutrition

European No.1 in medical nutrition

2012A

2013E

2014E

Revenue

19,310

20,870

21,590

22,570

EBIT

2,843

2,958

2,730

3,044

Net
Income

1,671

1,672

1,505

1,795

60%

56%

20%

8%

Similar Company Size


Dairy

Baby Nutrition

Water

Medical Nutrition

France

BRIC

USA

Others

Financially Stable

Share Price Performance

Market Capitalization

Euro

34,618

Enterprise Value

Euro

41,048

Share Price

Euro

54.86

EV/Revenue 2013E

Mutual Dependency

22%

Financial Snapshot
2011A

10%

6%

and baby foods and yogurts

Euros

Complementary
Capabilities

Strategic Complementarity

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

1.9x

EV/EBITDA 2013E

12.2x

P/E 2013E

21.6x

20/11/08

Key Brands

20/12/08

20/01/09

20/02/09

20/03/09

20/04/09

20/05/09

20/06/09

20/07/09

20/08/09

20/09/09

20/10/09

20/11/09

Company Overview

Low Culture Barriers

Company strategy is based on two pillars: Strong Brands &


Clearly defined Geographies

Over 7 billion customers

Over 50 production facilities globally

Market Capitalization: 34.5 Billion

Compatible Management

Ethical and Trustworthy

Groupe Danone (France)


Company Profile

Danone has the yogurt production capabilities while Nestle has the global marketing & distribution capabilities.

Complementary
Capabilities

Mutual Dependency

Both Danone and Nestle are market leaders in their fields of business, one in the dairy business globally , the other in the F&B industry globally

Similar Company Size

Danone and Nestle have been announcing high profits every year with Nestle sales around $90b and Danone at $20b

Financially Stable

Strategic Complementarity

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

Both the companies are headquartered in Europe leading to the possibility of low cultural barriers

Low Culture Barriers

Compatible Management

Danone and Nestle both are highly regarded for their ethical standards of operations and have been voted as two of the most trusted companies globally

Ethical and Trustworthy

Chobani Inc. (United States)


Company Snapshot

Brief Company Snapshot

Started in 2005, after founder CEO- Hamdi purchased an


abandoned yogurt production plant from Kraft

Started with 5 employees in 2005 with current strength well

Recent Events

above 2000 with the 1st Chobani yogurt hit store shelves in 2007

Products include only yogurt, but in different flavors and sizes

Currently present in USA, Canada and Australia

Earlier called Agro Farma, name changed in 2012

Chobani has partnered with Cornell University to support


Dairy Innovation with a $1.5milion gift
Andreas Sokollek was appointed SVP, SC & D to bring
about greater coherence throughout the supply chain &
retail distribution chain
Recent revenue estimates peg the value at $634m
Recently launched 14 new product flavors across all
yogurt product categories

Recent Controversies

Complementary
Capabilities

Mutual Dependency

Similar Company Size

Financially Stable

Key Executives
Name
Hamdi Ulukaya
David Denholm
Andreas Sokollek
Peter McGuiness
James McConeghy

Chobani had to recall its Greek yogurt product line from all
across the USA due to product concerns after numerous
customers were taken ill, post consumption
Purists have slammed Chobani for using technology to bypass
the authenticity of milk required to produce Greek yogurt

Key Products

Designation
Founder & CEO
President & COO
Senior VP, Supply Chain & Distribution
CMO & Chief Branding Officer
CFO

Company Overview

Strategic Complementarity

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

Low Culture Barriers

Company thrives to grow over the next few years with


primary focus being on new flavor launches every quarter

Fastest growing yogurt manufacturer in USA and Canada

Headquartered in New York, Production facility in Idaho

Privately listed company

Compatible Management

Ethical and Trustworthy

Chobani Inc. (United States)


Company Snapshot

Chobani has the yogurt production capabilities in Greek yogurt while Nestle has the global marketing & distribution capabilities.

Complementary
Capabilities

Mutual Dependency

Choabani is a small player in the overall sector, but one of the biggest yogurt producers in the world while Nestle is the global FMCG powerhouse

Similar Company Size

Chobani is on track to becoming a $1b company by 2015 while Nestles profits have ranged around $13b in recent year

Financially Stable

Strategic Complementarity

Chobani employees get benefits that have been modelled on Nestles employee benefits program leading to greater coherence among their employee
efforts and morale

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

Low Culture Barriers

Compatible Management

Chobani has been involved in a number of controversies, most recent being the one in which 89 people were taken ill after consuming Chobani yogurt while
Nestle is one of the most respected and relatively blemish-free track record in regards to ethical operations

Ethical and Trustworthy

Fage S.A. (Greece)


Company Snapshot

Brief Company Snapshot

FAGE is an international dairy company with a focus on yoghurt

Leading market position in the Greek yoghurt market

Primarily distributes its products in USA

Sales in over 35 countries

Manufactures, distributes and sells dairy products including

Recent Events

yoghurt, dairy dessert, milk, cream and cheese

Key Products

FAGE USA recently entered into a long-term agreement


with Proliant Dairy that will provide a sustainable outlet for
the whey from FAGEs production facility into New York
General Mills and FAGE resolved their trademark conflict
on the use of the word Total. Now both can use this
word in the names of their respective products
FAGE recently won a court case against Chobani
according to which Chobani would not be able to
market its products as Greek yoghurt in UK. Chobani
has decided to withdraw from UK currently.

Awards and Recognitions

Similar Company Size

Financially Stable

Strategic Complementarity

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

Low Culture Barriers

FAGE Total was named as the best plain yoghurt by Mens


and Womens Health Magazines

Mutual Dependency

FAGE Total 0% received BiteoftheBest.com Seal of


Approval

Complementary
Capabilities

Compatible Management

Sante, the magazine for restaurant professionals, honored


FAGE with their Gold Star Award

Ethical and Trustworthy

Fage S.A. (Greece)


Company Snapshot

FAGE has the yogurt production capabilities in Greek and other low-fat yogurt while Nestle has the global marketing & distribution capabilities.

Complementary
Capabilities

Mutual Dependency

FAGE is a small player in the overall sector, but one of the few European companies with a pan-USA presence and in 35 other countries

Similar Company Size

FAGE is is looking at $3b revenues company by 2015 with international expansion being done through internal accruals creating high unutilized debt
capacity for the company

Financially Stable

FAGE has been trying to enter the emerging markets to drive its revenues but has almost no distribution set up in the high growth regions with most of its
revenues coming from developed markets while Nestle wants product access to yogurt

Strategic Complementarity

Compatible Operating
Philosophy

Low Culture Barriers

Compatible Management

FAGE has not been involved in any major controversy related to its production or operations giving it an image of a well run and honest company, which fits
Nestles own story of integrity and success

Ethical and Trustworthy

Competitor Radar Screen for Nestle


Identifying the Competitors

Mars,
Incorporated

Starbucks
General Mills

PepsiCo

Heinz

Current
Competitors

Group
Danone
Kraft
Foods

Near-Term
Competitors

Nestle
Unilever

Conagra

Kellogg's
Mondelez
International
Coca Cola

Associated
British Foods

Hershey

Distant
Competitors

Among the possible partners we have


suggested:

Group Danone is a current competitor

General Mills is a near-term


competitor

FAGE and Chobani are not on the


competitor radar screen currently

Selecting Joint Venture Partner


Partner FIT

Company

General Mills

Dannone

Chobani

Fage

N/A

N/A

N/A

Origin Country
Primary Sales Regions
Complementary Capabilities
Optimal Mutual
Dependency
Similar Company Size

N/A

Financial Stability
Strategic Complementarity
Compatible Operating
Policy

N/A
N/A

N/A

Low Culture Barriers


Management Compatibility
Ethics & Trust

N/A

N/A

N/A
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Yoplait Yogurt
General Mills

Nestle wanted to
acquire Yoplait too
due to the market
leading brand it had
and to augment its
product portfolio

General Mills won the


bidding war for
Yoplait after a grim
battle with Nestle,
valuing the company
at $2.3billion

General Mills

0.9

1.3

1.4

1.55

1.65

Nestle

0.6

1.1

1.35

1.5

1.6

Bright Foods

0.7

1.2

Lactalis

0.6

However, after acquisition, the market share of Yoplait has decreased in the Americas from 32% to 26% and is currently no.2 in the yogurt space after Danone and
No.3 in the Greek Yogurt space after Chobani and Danone. The expansion of Yoplait in the emerging markets has also taken a hit due to decreasing sales figures in
the US market. Thus, expansion has taken a backseat and consolidation of the US market is more important to General Mills as of now. Hence, Nestle with its global
distribution network seems like the best candidate to help GM in expanding the brand in emerging markets without much recourse on its finances and resources.

Formation of Joint Venture


Key Motives for Nestle

Internal Benefits

Nestle will be able reduce its risks and share


costs in the production and distribution of a
new product line Greek yoghurts

Nestle has been working towards


transforming itself into a leader in
Nutrition, Health and Business. Addition of
the yoghurt product line is another step
in this directionx

Strategic Benefits

Competitive Benefits

Most of Nestles current and near-term competitors are


getting into the production of Greek yoghurt. This joint
venture allows Nestle to level the playing fieldx

Formation of Joint Venture


Key Motives for General Mills

Internal Benefits

General Mills would be able to share risks of


marketing a new product and reduce its costs
of setting up a global distribution channel

This will be an important step in


increasing the brand value of General
Mills across the globe and will be a step
towards the transformation into a truly
global company

Strategic Benefits

Competitive Benefits

General Mills derives 75% of its revenue from USA. Given the
mature market in USA, General Mills and its competitors have
been trying to increase their presence in emerging economies

Nestle + General Mills


Theoretical Justifications for the Joint Venture

Theory

Understanding This Joint Venture


Nestle:
Nestle is known for having a strong global distribution network
Also, it is ranked number 4 in the Effie Effectiveness Index which measures
the advertising and marketing effectiveness of companies
It wants to build up on its nutrition portfolio

Resource Based View

General Mills
It has a strong history of innovation
It has got strong yoghurt brand (Yoplait was named as the Yoghurt Brand
of the Year 2013 in USA)
It wants to increase its presence outside USA
The companies have complementary resources and capabilities and both
can gain by co-operating

Nestle + General Mills


Theoretical Justifications for the Joint Venture

Theory

Understanding This Joint Venture


Nestle:
Make: Making is not a viable option, as most competitors have already
entered this market and any further delay should be avoided. Production
costs are not low (R&D, advertisement, manufacturing, marketing)
Acquisition: The growing yoghurt market is a new opportunity and an
acquisition at this stage may be too risky an alternative. Further, most
yoghurt companies have a high valuation currently

Transaction Cost Rationale

A joint venture is appropriate


General Mills
Make: The company can either set up its own global distribution network,
but that would involve large costs, time and effort
Acquisition: Most companies having a well-established distribution
network are too large for General Mills to acquire
A joint venture makes the most sense
In case of these two companies, the transaction cost involved in setting up a
JV would be low due to their prior relationship and track record

Nestle + General Mills


Theoretical Justifications for the Joint Venture

Theory

Understanding This Joint Venture


Nestle:
Most recent additions to Nestles portfolio have been through
acquisitions rather than organic growth
This JV in which Nestle would get to work with General Mills to innovate
new dairy products will be an important learning ground for Nestle
General Mills

Organization Knowledge
and Learning Theory

General Mills marketing skills need to be improved upon


Further, it is still majorly a US centric company. It needs to learn how to
mould and innovate products which suit the tastes of the developing
and emerging nations
This JV will allow General Mills to learn key elements of these while
working with Nestle
Thus, both companies would be able to add to their learning and experience
with this joint venture.

Nestle + General Mills


Alliance v/s Acquisition

Synergies

Modular

In case of Yoplait, General Mills would be involved in


the production of the products. The completed
products would be passed on to Nestle, who would
be responsible for marketing and distributing the
product

Sequential

Reciprocal

The joint venture would also bring together the


technical and managerial acumen of the both the
companies so as to create new products and
innovations in the field of dairy. This would involve an
interactive knowledge-sharing process and both the
firms personnel closely working with each other

Nestle + General Mills


Alliance v/s Acquisition

Assets

Hard

The companies would be sharing hard assets like


production facilities, distribution network

Soft

The companies would be contributing manpower


(both technical and managerial)

Nestle + General Mills


Alliance v/s Acquisition

Degree of
Uncertainty

Low

Medium

The degree of uncertainty is medium. The two firms


have a joint venture already. Thus, there has already
been a fair degree of due diligence. However, as
their earlier venture focussed on cereals, there is still
some uncertainty about the other businesses of the
each firm.

High

Nestle + General Mills


Alliance v/s Acquisition

Forces of
Competition

Low

Medium

High

The forces of competition are high. Most of Nestles


competitors have already entered the yoghurt
market (through organic growth/alliances/
acquisitions). In case of General Mills, most
competitors are expanding into the emerging
economies. Thus, there are high competitive
pressures

Nestle + General Mills


Alliance v/s Acquisition

Criteria

Type

Alliance v/s Acquisition

Synergies

Sequential (initially)and
Reciprocal (over time)

Equity Alliance (currently)

Assets

Hard and Soft

Equity Alliance/Acquisition

Degree of Uncertainty

Medium

Equity Alliance

Forces of Competition

High

Acquisition

An equity alliance is more appropriate than an acquisition. An acquisition is


further ruled out because of the existing joint venture agreement between
Nestle and General Mills whereby either company cannot put in a hostile
takeover bid for the other company before three years from the termination
of the joint venture agreement.

Nestle + General Mills


Snapshot of Rationale

Entry into a growing category


An important addition to its
nutrition portfolio
Greater innovation and new
product development through
close interactions with General
Mills
Leveraging strong brand names of
General Mills product
Sharing of costs and risks

Entry into the emerging economies


Leveraging the strong brand
name and the strong distribution
channel of Nestle
Learning how to create products
which satisfy the needs of the
customers in emerging economies
Learning advertisement and
marketing skills

Dairy Partners Worldwide


A Nestle and General Mills Venture

Joint Venture: Theoretical Tenets

Does the Joint Venture Make Sense?


Political Factors and Resource Requirement

The resource requirements are high, as General Mills has a


product line which has high growth potential and Nestle has a
strong distribution system leading to greater market access

Resource Requirement

Low
High

In case of a strategic alliance


between Nestle and General
Mills, the political factors are
low as there are no regulatory
requirements which make an
alliance mandatory/the only
available option

Political Factors

Low

High
Given low political
factors and high
resource requirement, a
Strategic Alliance/Joint
Venture makes sense
this case

Strategic Alliance/Joint Venture Orientation


Key Resources and Risks

Primary Risk

Property
Knowledge

Primary Resource

Relational Risk

Performance Risk

Control

Security

Flexibility

Productivity

Key Resource: Property


The alliance would involve sharing of production
facilities, distribution network and product lines

Key Risk: Performance Risk

As the company already has a successful joint


venture, the relational risk is low

Performance risk is high as they would be


introducing a product across several
geographies. Thus, the macroeconomic factors
may worsen, the product may not work, the
competition may be high etc.

In this case, the strategic alliance orientation needs to


be focussed on flexibility

This can be done by having an incremental approach


to the alliance and having clear performance metrics

Nature of Alliance/Joint Venture


Proactive v/s Defensive

Criteria
Business
Future

Proactive Alliance

Defensive Alliance

Reason

Expand Business

Survival in Existing
Business

Nestle is entering into new product


lines. General Mills is expanding
its geographic presence

Competition

Competitive
Advantage

Competitive
Pressures

Nestles competitors have already


entered into this product line.
General Mills competitors are
expanding into emerging markets

Market
Phase

Growing Market

Declining Market

The dairy product market is


growing in most geographies

Other Firms
Resources

Strategic
Option

Leverage

Create Options

Critical
Dependency

To effectively ward off competition,


the companies need each others
resources

No Option

Most other potential partners are


already collaborating with
competitors

Proactive Alliance

Nestle
+
General Mills

Defensive Alliance

Key Drivers
From The Perspective of Co-opetition

Setting Standards
The yoghurt market is highly fragmented. The coming together of two giants like Nestle and General Mills will set clear standards for the
industry
Sharing Risks
With any new product, there is a performance risk attached
At the same time, it also involves costs like setting up production facilities and distribution systems, marketing and advertisement
expenditure. This alliance will allow the two companies to share these risks and costs
Entering Emerging Markets
Both companies would be able to increase their presence in the emerging economies
Expanding Product Lines

Nestle will be able to enter into the Greek yoghurt market and hence add to its nutrition portfolio
Reducing Costs

By setting up combined production facilities, both the companies would be able to achieve economies of scale
Gaining Market Share

With the help of General Mills product line and Nestles strong distribution system, the companies will be able to increase their
market share across geographies
Creating New Businesses

The two companies already have a successful joint venture


This joint venture would allow them to further strengthen their relationship while addressing a gap in their product portfolios
and geographic strength

Key Risks
From The Perspective of Co-opetition

Technology Leakage
General Mills and Nestle had a face-off in the acquisition of Yoplait in which General Mills emerged victorious
However, General Mills has till now been unable to effectively market and distribute its yoghurts products
While this alliance will allow it to leverage the marketing expertise of Nestle, but at the same time there is a risk that Nestle
might be able to glean into the technology/processes involved in the production of yoghurt
Telegraphing Strategic Intention
The two companies may come to know which geographies and products the other company is planning to target based on
the nuances of management decisions
Customer Defection
Based on how the products of the joint venture are promoted and marketed (use of brand names/company names),
customers of one company may come in contact with the other company, hence increasing the risk of defection
Slow Decision Making
This is a major drawback of strategic alliances and joint ventures. As the alliances/ joint ventures decision affects both the
companies, and as the companies may have differing goals and objectives, there is slow decision making so as to satisfy
both the parties

Typology of Alliance/Joint Venture


Organizational Interaction and Conflict Potential

Extent of Organizational
Interaction
Low

Strategic Objective
Alliance Type

High

Flexibility

Core
Protection

Learning

Value
Adding

Low

Procompetitive
Alliance

Noncompetitive
Alliance

Competitive
Non-Competitive
Pro-Competitive

High

Conflict Potential

Pre-Competitive

PreCompetitive
Alliance

Competitive
Alliance

In this alliance, given the lower extent of geographic and product overlap, the
conflict potential is low-medium. Further, the success of their earlier joint venture
also points towards a low conflict potential
The extent of organizational interaction will be high as of shared control on most
decisions
Thus in this alliance, the key strategic objective would be learning followed by value
adding, flexibility and core protection

Negotiations: Role Play

Dairy Partners Worldwide


Financial Ownership and Management Control

Structure

Joint Venture

Financial Control

50:50

The parties are equally strong and have a history of a successful 50:50 IJV called CPW

Management Control
Nestles Perspective and General
Mills Perspective

Our Recommendation

Both companies would want

CEO should be externally appointed so that the JVs objectives are not subordinated to

greater managerial control. They

the individual objectives of the two companies.

would want to choose the CEO

Split Control: Nestle responsible for marketing communication, distribution, operation and

to ensure that their companies

logistics. General Mills responsible for branding, content and manufacturing.

interests are met

Shared Control: R&D, HR and talent management and finance

Dairy Partners Worldwide


Scope of Joint Venture

Nestles Perspective

General Mills Perspective

Our Recommendation
USA should not be a part of the joint
venture because that would encourage
direct competition between General

Nestle would want the joint venture to


be involved in production and
distribution of dairy products across all
geographies (including USA)

General Mills would not want to give up


its control on the US market as it derives
75% of its revenue from this geography

Mills and Nestle and hence could lead


to mis-alignment of incentives.
If either firm comes up with a
competing/substitute product on its
own, the JV should get first right of
distribution/promotion/bringing it to
market globally

Dairy Partners Worldwide


Governance & Regulatory Issues

Nestles Perspective and General Mills Perspective

Both would want greater representation on the board.


Further, they would prefer to have their own CEO and
Chairperson heading the joint venture

Our Recommendation

CEO should be externally appointed


Chairperson should be rotated every 3 years

The JV should be located in Switzerland as the country boasts


of the one of the most favourable tax regulations and legal
Both would want the JV to be situated in their home country

stipulations, along with being a favourable business ground,

of operation to lend greater influence on the JV implicitly

as regulatory approvals are required only in financial services


companies, real estate business, healthcare and trading in
specific goods

Dairy Partners Worldwide


Exit Options

Our Recommendation
Initial lock-in period of 5 years with no change in equity structure
If the firm suffers increasing net losses for three consecutive years, the JV should be re-evaluated
If there is change in ownership in any of the partner firms, the JV will be dissolved with first right of refusal to the other partner
If one partner is looking to sell, the other partner has first right of refusal
In case of any breach of covenants of the JV by any partner, the aggrieved party can buy out the stake of this partner in the JV or
liquidate the JV

Management of the Joint Venture

Nestle + General Mills = International Joint Venture


Determinants of Performance

Addressed during negotiation of structure,


control and governance

Control of the IJV


by Parent Firms

Autonomy Granted
to IJV
Management

Corporate Cultural
Differences

Key
Determinants
Corporate and National Differences exist,
but as the company has been able to work
successfully in the past, future co-operation
is expected to be fruitful
National Cultural
Differences

Trust Between the


IJV Partners

Should have been strongly established


during the previous joint venture

Role of the Joint Venture Manager


5 Key tenets to effective Joint Venture Management

InterOrganizational
Trust

Focus on
Internal
Harmony

Contribution
Monitoring

Joint Venture
Management

Periodic
Strategic
Assessment

Efficient
Information
Flow

Alliance Management
Inter-organizational trust

InterOrganizational
Trust

Joint Venture
Management

Nestle and General Mills have been


trusted partners in one segment of the
market
This JV should be looked at as an
extension of that relationship and more
Regular meetings between the top
management and R&D wings of both
Nestle and General Mills should be
convened
Bring on board people who have
worked in CPW previously so as to lend
credibility to DPW, as a long lasting bond

Alliance Management
Partner Contribution Monitoring

Contribution
Monitoring

Joint Venture
Management

Nestle and General Mills have been


global partners for over 20 years
The JV manager should have the
authority to initiate corrective action in
case either partner is found lacking in its
resource contribution (GM-Product //
Nestle-Market)
The best product developers should be
made available to DPW by GM while the
best marketers should be made
available to DPW by Nestle, in principle
JV has to be monitored continuously,
some aspects periodically while others
daily

Alliance Management
Efficient Information Flow Management

Joint Venture
Management

Efficient
Information
Flow

CPW has been one of the most


successful and long lasting JVs in the
FMCG industry primarily due to the
efficient processing of information
Managing information flow has to be a
priority task rather than an incidental
management mechanism
Care has to be taken not to pass on
proprietary knowledge from one firm to
another while maintaining the JVs
interests
A decentralized approach needs to be
taken as product-market JVs tend to
suffer from problems that require quick
decision making

Alliance Management
Periodic Strategic Assessment

Joint Venture
Management

Periodic
Strategic
Assessment

General Mills and Nestles previous JV:


CPW was a defensive alliance to
counter the threat of Kelloggs in Europe
DPW is envisaged with a view to
counter competitive pressures in the
yogurt market globally, but with greater
focus on latent geographies where
Nestles distribution strength is greatest
There should be a lock-in period of at
least 5 years to allow for the resources
ploughed into the JV to have room for
productive growth and output
GM currently wants to increase its
geographic diversity while Nestle is
aiming for product diversity which
might change in the long run, in the
case of which there should be a clear
exit policy singled out and accepted
by both parties

Alliance Management
Focus on Internal Harmony

Focus on
Internal
Harmony

Joint Venture
Management

Internal relationships between functional


managers and divisional managers must
be kept intact and away from any JV
related pressures and conflict
JV managers selected to run the new
firm should be credible with exemplary
prior track record at the parent firm
Importance of the JV to the respective
firm has to be clearly outlined to the
middle level management for greater
coherence in the parents activities
People involved in the processes that
are replaced by the JV should be
streamlined into the JV to promote
internal harmony and consistency of
strategic intentions of the firm

Assessment of the Joint Venture

Assessment of Alliance
Key Factors

Shared Risk
Both partners share common value
systems and complement each
others corporate culture. Such
shared value systems is the
foundation of this relationship
providing the means, motivation
and commitment to resolve
partnership related problems and
mutually grow the relationship

Shared Values

The partners share a common vision, common


views of the objectives, results and outcomes
of the alliance

Shared Vision

Both partners bear a fair and appropriate share of risks


in the alliance, no partner has unnecessary burden

Shared
Resources

Shared Rewards

Each partner commits an


appropriate amount of resources be
it capital, people, knowledge etc.

Both partners share appropriately in the


rewards, the partners work together to create
mutual wins whether to attain success via
similar market, similar customer base etc.

Performance Metrics
Assessment of the Key Factors

A precise set of meaningful parameters is the best way to drive performance and produce desired benefits from the partnership. These metrics
should include shared measurements that are similar to both partners.

Metrics

Operational

Timeliness

Productivity

Innovation

Quality
Measurements

Process
improvement

Partnership

Technology
Integration

New business
gained

Profitability
gained across
portfolio

Developing an Evaluation Plan


Assessment of Joint Venture

Rationale for the Relationship


A strategic intent by partner companies establishes the need/business case for a relationship.
The nature of the objectives will drive the type of partners sought, the manner in which the relationship operates, and thus the type of evaluation
metrics selected

Strategic Objectives of Relationship


They provide a critical part of the foundation on which the management control system for the relationship is built
The evaluation criteria for assessing the performance should be developed according to the relative importance of the various strategic objectives
established by managers
However, it follows that as strategic objectives are modified during the lifetime of the alliance, to remain effective the evaluation criteria must be
adapted as well.

Selection of Evaluation Criteria


The balanced scorecard framework can be used for this purpose. It shows how the strategy of a firm can be translated into performance measures
based upon four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth
These four perspectives provide the balance necessary for a company to focus on issues that are indicative of longer-term success, rather than
concentrating on short-term financial measures
Customization is necessary in using the balanced scorecard in an alliance relationship.

Emphasizing Specific Metrics


Another benefit of the balanced scorecard approach is the potential to tailor the system to meet the needs of a given relationship

Implementing the Evaluation Plan


Formalized and regular assessment is essential for those involved in the alliance to attach credibility to the process and to learn from the results
The evaluation process will also need to be refined throughout the life cycle of the alliance to assure that timely information is being collected
The final link in the evaluation process is to consider how the output of the evaluation will be used to determine individual and team performance
and rewards
Assessment frequency should consider the evaluation metrics, as well as the environment in general

Thank You

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