Nestlé, R&R form ice cream, frozen food joint venture

Nestlé S.A., Switzerland, and R&R, a UK-based ice cream processor, created Froneri, a joint venture that employs about 15,000 people in over 20 countries. Froneri will be headquartered in the UK and will operate primarily in Europe, the Middle East (excluding Israel), Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the Philippines and South Africa. The new company will combine Nestlé and R&R’s ice cream activities in the relevant countries and will include Nestlé’s European frozen food business (excluding pizza and retail frozen food in Italy), as well as its chilled dairy business in the Philippines. Financial details are not being disclosed.

“This is an exciting growth opportunity in a dynamic category,” says Paul Bulcke, chief executive officer of Nestlé. “Froneri will capitalize on complementary strengths and innovation expertise, combining Nestlé’s strong and successful brands and experience in ‘out-of-home’ distribution with R&R’s competitive manufacturing model and significant presence in retail.”