Nestlé Group CEO Philipp Navratil underscored the country's importance to the global company during his first official visit to the Philippines since assuming the top post.
He was joined by Nestlé Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa CEO Remy Ejel.
Nestlé considers the Philippines a strategic growth market, citing its economic prospects, young and growing population, and strong consumer demand for its brands.
In a statement, the company said it sees opportunities to invest further in its brands, capabilities and local operations while strengthening its position in the Philippine market.
Growth potential
During the visit, Navratil and Ejel toured retail outlets to get a closer look at the local market and consumer environment.
They also met with Nestlé Philippines employees and business leaders and visited one of the company's manufacturing facilities.
During a town hall with employees, the executives discussed opportunities for further expansion and the role of the Philippine business in Nestlé's global operations.
Nestlé Philippines is led by chair and CEO Mauricio Alarcón.
The Philippines has become a significant market for the Switzerland-based food and beverage company, which has operated in the country for more than a century.
Nutrition program
Navratil and Ejel also visited the Nestlé Wellness Campus, the company's flagship nutrition education program in the Philippines and part of its global Nestlé for Healthier Kids initiative.
Established in 2013 in partnership with the Department of Education, the program promotes healthy eating, proper hydration, physical activity and other lifestyle habits among public school students.
The company said the program now reaches 12 million students in 26,000 public schools across nine regions.
The initiative forms part of Nestlé's global goal of helping 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030.
Sustainability push
The executives also reviewed sustainability initiatives being implemented across Nestlé Philippines' operations.
These include the use of biomass boilers, packaging improvements and consumer waste recovery programs aimed at reducing the company's environmental impact while improving operational efficiency and resilience.
Nestlé said its Philippine operations would continue to pursue growth alongside investments in its brands, manufacturing capabilities, nutrition programs and sustainability initiatives.
Navratil's first official visit as group CEO comes as Nestlé seeks to capitalize on the growth potential of one of its biggest markets globally and strengthen its position among Filipino consumers. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
