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Case Study

Nestlé innovation partnerships: Getting started

By James E. Henderson and Patricia Santos

16 pages

May 2014

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Reference: IMD-3-2434

In September 2007 Helmut Traitler, VP Innovation Partnerships, and Heribert Watzke, Head of Food Science at Nestlé R&D, sat down to prepare a proposal to the board on how to really make the innovation partnerships initiative work in driving new growth at Nestlé following its new vision of Nutrition, Health and Wellness. Nestlé was facing increased competition, not only from traditional industry players such as Unilever and Danone but also from fast-growing and highly knowledgeable local market players in Nestlé’s largest markets (Brazil, the US and China). Nestlé saw innovation as a way to meet the rapidly changing needs and expectations of consumers of all ages (from babies, toddlers and growing children to teenagers, adults and the elderly), as well as to maintain its target growth rates of 5% to 6%.

Learning Objective

How to establish a strategic partnerships unit via a large complex organization. Identifying and addressing the challenges and issues of starting this journey with the intent of building a strategic partnership capability.

Keywords

Strategic Partnership, Open Innovation, Supplier Relationship

Settings

World/global, Switzerland
Nestlé, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
2005-2007

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

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