Nestlé S.A. is the world’s largest manufacturer of packaged food and beverage products, headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland. Founded in 1866, the company operates in nearly 190 countries and manages a diverse portfolio of over 2,000 brands. Nestlé's business strategy is built on nutrition, health, and wellness, aiming to "unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life". Core Business Profile Global Presence: Nestlé sells products in 185 to 191 countries and operates 337 factories as of 2024. Financial Scale: The company reported annual revenue of approximately $100.4 billion USD for the fiscal year ending 2024. Workforce: Nestlé employs roughly 270,000 to 277,000 people globally. Ownership: It is a public company primarily listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and is a constituent of the Swiss Market Index. It is also one of the main shareholders of L'Oréal. Major Product Categories and Brands Nestlé’s massive brand portfolio includes 29 brands that each generate over 1 billion CHF in annual sales. Beverages: Nescafé, Nespresso, Milo, Nestea, and coffee creamers like Coffee Mate. Pet Care: Purina, Purina ONE, Alpo, and Friskies. Nutrition and Health Science: Gerber (baby food), Cerelac, Nido, and various medical food products. Confectionery and Snacks: KitKat, Smarties, Aero, Milkybar, and Toll House cookie dough. Culinary and Frozen Foods: Maggi, Stouffer's, DiGiorno, Hot Pockets, and Lean Cuisine. Water: S.Pellegrino, Perrier, Acqua Panna, and Nestlé Pure Life. History and Evolution Nestlé was formed in 1905 through the merger of two Swiss enterprises founded in the late 1860s: Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company: Founded in 1866 by Charles and George Page. Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé: Founded in 1867 by pharmacist Henri Nestlé, who created a breakthrough milk-based infant cereal to combat high infant mortality. Over the decades, Nestlé expanded through major acquisitions, including Maggi (1947), Findus (1963), Libby's (1971), Rowntree Mackintosh (1988), and Gerber (2007). More recently, the company has pivoted toward health science and plant-based foods, acquiring brands like Sweet Earth (2017) and vitamin manufacturer Bountiful Company (2021). Business Model and Strategic Focus Decentralized Management: The company operates with a decentralized decision-making structure, allowing it to adapt to local market trends. Innovation: Nestlé invests heavily in research and development, maintaining a global network of R&D centers to create healthier, more nutritious products. Flexible Pricing: The company uses a "tiered" pricing strategy, offering premium products like Nespresso while ensuring mass-market affordability for items like Maggi noodles. Health Transformation: Since 2010, Nestlé has worked to transform itself into a "nutrition, health, and wellness company" to combat declining confectionery sales and address modern regulatory challenges.