| Management Challenges |
General Mills, an international consumer packaged food
company, was interested in expanding its non-U.S. business.
Pundits believed that the establishment of the European
Union would force companies to establish Pan-European
businesses to compete successfully. Executives asked Weinstein
to research this issue and propose options that were financially
attractive.
|
| Solutions Delivered |
Weinstein reviewed the operations of existing European
divisions in the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Belgium
and the Netherlands. The European market for consumer
food products was assessed, specifically consumption
preferences and distribution trends by country. Weinstein
investigated the ability of European divisions to leverage
U.S. brands and technologies for growth, and evaluated
the attractiveness of European markets for entry or
expansion. |
| Results Achieved |
Weinstein’s targeted regional growth plan was
adopted. The plan addressed the nature of Europe’s
disparate regions, and leveraged existing business positions
and market and product know-how. A European acquisition
strategy was accelerated to create bases of operation
in new market regions, and to add tactical acquisitions
onto existing businesses. This leveraged General Mills’
brands and technologies in the baked good and vegetable
categories. |
Service
Description: Identifying Opportunities and Threats