31.12.2023
Upfield's CEO, David Haines reflects on a transformative 2023 and looks forward to a positive 2024
As I look back on 2023, I’m incredibly proud of what we at Upfield have accomplished. It’s been a year of further progress toward our vision of transforming the food system through our portfolio of iconic plant butters & spreads, creams, liquids and cheeses.
It’s been a busy year for our portfolio of iconic brands, BlueBand celebrated its centenary of raising healthy & happy kids, we evolved Flora Plant’s profile and introduced the exceptional ‘skip the cow’ campaign which lit up Piccadilly Circus in London and other prime spaces across the UK – revitalising the brand and bringing it to new audiences. In the Americas, Violife continues to grow and CountryCrock’s popularity in the United States and Canada is steadfast. We have also continued to launch more and more of our best-ever products in new categories, channels and markets such as Latin America, and the Middle East, sharing the opportunity of plant-based eating with more communities worldwide.
In addition to this, we also reached new heights in sustainability, innovation, and global impact. Our carbon emissions dropped globally as we advanced towards our net zero journey. Our R&D teams pioneered new techniques to improve nutrition and taste profiles across our portfolio and we achieved improved ESG ratings from independent agencies like Sustainalytics.
We also proactively addressed our capital structure during 2023, achieving an extension to the majority of our debt facilities, with our business performance and debt reduction activities leading to positive actions by our Rating Agencies.
Our success isn’t measured in metrics alone, it’s defined by the passion and dedication of Upfielders everywhere who bring our purpose to life each day. Their creativity fuels our innovation pipeline, led out of our Food Science Centre in Wageningen, the Netherlands, while their commitment to customers and consumers drives growth, and their collaborative spirit lets us dream bigger.
As we look ahead to 2024, reinvigorated by our new brand identity, I’m energised by the opportunity in front of us. Consumer demand for plant-based food is there and I believe it will accelerate faster than ever before; the world needs our leadership now more than ever. I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish by working shoulder-to-shoulder, powered by our shared vision of food that tastes great, is healthier and more sustainable for people and the planet.
The wheels are already turning on some exciting developments for next year, from new product launches to welcoming new faces to our senior leadership. As always, we’ll chart our course carefully, embracing inch-by-inch and an ‘always day one’ mentality for sustained progress. If we stay nimble, keep raising the bar, and never lose sight of our aims, the impact will compound.
I’m grateful to be on this journey with the Upfield family, wishing everyone quality time with loved ones over the holidays. Let’s come back refreshed and raring to go – here’s to a successful new year.
It’s been a busy year for our portfolio of iconic brands, BlueBand celebrated its centenary of raising healthy & happy kids, we evolved Flora Plant’s profile and introduced the exceptional ‘skip the cow’ campaign which lit up Piccadilly Circus in London and other prime spaces across the UK – revitalising the brand and bringing it to new audiences. In the Americas, Violife continues to grow and CountryCrock’s popularity in the United States and Canada is steadfast. We have also continued to launch more and more of our best-ever products in new categories, channels and markets such as Latin America, and the Middle East, sharing the opportunity of plant-based eating with more communities worldwide.
In addition to this, we also reached new heights in sustainability, innovation, and global impact. Our carbon emissions dropped globally as we advanced towards our net zero journey. Our R&D teams pioneered new techniques to improve nutrition and taste profiles across our portfolio and we achieved improved ESG ratings from independent agencies like Sustainalytics.
We also proactively addressed our capital structure during 2023, achieving an extension to the majority of our debt facilities, with our business performance and debt reduction activities leading to positive actions by our Rating Agencies.
Our success isn’t measured in metrics alone, it’s defined by the passion and dedication of Upfielders everywhere who bring our purpose to life each day. Their creativity fuels our innovation pipeline, led out of our Food Science Centre in Wageningen, the Netherlands, while their commitment to customers and consumers drives growth, and their collaborative spirit lets us dream bigger.
As we look ahead to 2024, reinvigorated by our new brand identity, I’m energised by the opportunity in front of us. Consumer demand for plant-based food is there and I believe it will accelerate faster than ever before; the world needs our leadership now more than ever. I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish by working shoulder-to-shoulder, powered by our shared vision of food that tastes great, is healthier and more sustainable for people and the planet.
The wheels are already turning on some exciting developments for next year, from new product launches to welcoming new faces to our senior leadership. As always, we’ll chart our course carefully, embracing inch-by-inch and an ‘always day one’ mentality for sustained progress. If we stay nimble, keep raising the bar, and never lose sight of our aims, the impact will compound.
I’m grateful to be on this journey with the Upfield family, wishing everyone quality time with loved ones over the holidays. Let’s come back refreshed and raring to go – here’s to a successful new year.