Nestlé Mission Statement Analysis

Company: Nestlé S.A.
CEO: Laurent Freixe
Year founded: 1866
Headquarters: Vevey, Switzerland
Number of Employees: 277,000
Type: Public
Ticker Symbol: NESN
Market Cap (Apr 2025): CHF236.43 Billion ($260.14 Billion)
Annual Revenue (FY 2024): CHF91.35 Billion ($100.4 Billion)
Profit | Net income (FY 2024): CHF10.88 Billion

Did you know? Nestlé has been the world’s largest public food company by revenue since 2014.

Nestlé is a Swiss multinational food and drink processing corporation founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé. It owns over 2000 brands across 7 product categories, including coffee, pet care, and prepared dishes. For example, Nescafe and Nespresso are perfect for coffee lovers, and Milo is the world’s most popular chocolate malt beverage. Each brand adheres to Nestlé’s mission statement, values, and sustainability strategy. In FY2024, Nestlé’s annual sales dropped by 1.8% to CHF91.35 billion ($100.4 billion). Its net profit shrank by 2.9% to CHF10.88 billion. However, coffee sales rose from 0.1% to 1.4% in H2 2024, driven by increases in emerging markets and Europe. [1]

Nestlé is the world’s largest public food company. It has retained this title since 2014. Its brands nourish consumers in over 180 countries, from North and Latin America to Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Australia. Top-selling Nestlé products are powdered and liquid beverages. However, PetCare is the fastest-growing category. [2]

To understand why Nestlé dominates the global food and beverage sector, here is an in-depth analysis of its mission statement, values, and sustainability targets:

Nestlé’s Mission Statement

To unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come.

Nestlé states, “We focus our energy and resources where unlocking the power of food can make the greatest difference to the lives of people and pets, protect and enhance the environment, and generate significant value for our stakeholders.” [3] [4]

Here is our analysis of Nestlé’s mission statement:

1. Unlock the power of food

Nestlé aims to help consumers maximize the nutritional benefits of food. The company achieves this mission by fast-tracking global food innovation and bringing new and exciting products to people everywhere. In Mar 2025, Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) unveiled its new product developments at the IAADFS 2025 Summit of the Americas. The latest additions span NITR’s top-selling brands, including KitKat, Nestlé Sustainably Sourced Cocoa, After Eight, and Smarties. For example, consumers can enjoy the KitKat Mix Pouch in four flavors, KitKat Senses Miniatures with a multi-sensorial chocolate taste, or the crispy, light-textured KitKat Ball. [5]

Nestlé strives to unlock the power of food for people and their pets. The company produces pet food, treats, and cat and dog litter. Its PetCare brands include Purina Pro Plan, Purina Dog Chow, Friskies, and Beneful. In Feb 2025, Nestlé launched a new product under its Purina PetCare line. [6]

2. Enhance the quality of life for everyone

Nestlé seeks to deliver products that enhance the quality of life for humans and pets. It achieves this by leveraging food science. For example, in Nov 2023, Nestlé teams launched N3 milk with new nutritional benefits. It has the essential nutrients of cow’s milk, prebiotic fibers, low lactose, and 15% fewer calories. These prebiotic fibers help promote healthy gut bacteria growth.

Nestlé’s Purina researchers worked with veterinarians for two years to develop the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements for Joint Care. This product combines hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, collagen, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids to help dogs and puppies maintain healthy cartilage and joints. [7]

Nestlé enhances quality of life by encouraging healthy lifestyles. It achieves this mission through the Nestlé Professional division. In Oct 2022, Nestlé Professional trained Nigerian students in Lagos State on the significance of healthy eating and lifestyles. The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria partnered with Nestlé to help 50 million children live healthier lives by 2030. [8]

Checkout: Largest Global Packaged Foods Companies by Market Cap

3. Serve today’s consumers and future generations

Nestlé is committed to fulfilling consumers’ current and future nutritional needs. It achieves this mission by collaborating with leading food and beverage companies. For example, Nestlé has partnered with Starbucks since 2018. In Sep 2023, the two companies celebrated five years of their Global Coffee Alliance. The partnership has delivered Starbucks’ branded premium products to around 80 markets worldwide, including over 14 billion coffee cups brewed at home and served through food service channels. [9]

Nestlé acknowledges the ever-increasing role of technology in product and service delivery. The company has accelerated its tech adoption and digital transformation to meet consumers’ future needs. For example, Nestlé teams use a new, proprietary generative AI tool to shorten the product ideation process from months to weeks. It generates customized concepts in around 1 minute, combines inputs from over 20 Nestlé brands, and analyzes real-time market trends. Nestlé also uses AI-powered solutions to automate demand forecasting, product distribution, and predict stockouts at retail locations. These capabilities allow the company to anticipate and meet consumers’ future needs. “I look forward to following how this team continues to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives—today and in the future,” said Steve Presley, CEO of Nestlé Zone Americas. [10]

Checkout: Largest packaged foods companies in the world by market cap

Nestlé’s Values

Nestlé’s values are rooted in respect. It respects its business, others, diversity, and future generations. “We strive to do better so we can grow and succeed together,” says Nestlé. [11]

How does Nestlé live by its values?

1. Respect for ourselves

Nestlé believes respect starts with self-respect. It lives by this value by fostering an internal and external environment of honesty, fair dealings, and integrity. The company strives to stay true to its roots and maintain its authenticity. This value is embedded in Nestlé’s Corporate Business Principles. “Our mission to improve quality of life means that ethics and integrity are vital for our business,” says Nestlé. The company doesn’t compromise on regulatory compliance, conflicts of interests, antitrust dealings, bribery, corruption (UNGC Principle 10), discrimination, and harassment. [12]

2. Respect for others

Nestlé believes respecting others is about meeting its promises. It lives by this value by delivering high-quality food and drinks that address consumers’ needs. The company implements an 8-step strategy to ensure product quality. Its Quality Management System starts on farms. For example, Nestlé helps farmers adopt cooling and automated milking systems to improve their milk quality. Its 19,000-liter tankers collect milk from designated centers and transport it to the Nestlé factory laboratory for testing. Then, high-quality milk is clarified, pasteurized, standardized, UHT-sterilized, and homogenized before packing and distribution. [13]

3. Respect for diversity

Nestlé strives to build an inclusive workplace where all employees are respected. It combines several strategies to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The company joined PGLE in 2021 to empower LGBTQI+ members in its workforce. In 2022, Nestlé launched its voluntary self-ID program, allowing employees to identify themselves across gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and disability. About 35% of Nestlé workers had used the solution as of Dec 2023. [14]

4. Respect for the future

Nestlé acts responsibly and courageously to ensure it leaves a better planet for future generations. It acknowledges climate change, environmental pollution, and degradation challenges. The company leverages its reach and resources to help address these threats. For example, Nestlé Waters launched over 40 projects to catalyze the regeneration of local water cycles and protect water resources. [15]

Checkout: Largest Global Home Products Companies by Market Cap

Nestlé’s Sustainability Goals

Nestlé believes in the power of food to enhance quality of life. The company uses its global scale, expertise and resources to contribute to a healthier future for people and the planet. It is committed to creating shared value (CSV). This commitment is reinforced by Nestlé’s sustainability goals, including:

Reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Transition 100% of its packaging to recyclable or reusable materials by 2025.
Grow 200 million trees by 2030 to capture carbon, rebuild forests and communities, protect threatened and endangered biodiversity, promote soil nutrients, and conserve water.
Invest CHF 1.2 billion in regenerative agriculture practices by 2025.
Source 50% of its ingredients through regenerative agriculture practices by 2030. [16]

How is Nestlé progressing on its sustainability goals?

Nestlé strives to integrate sustainability at its core, ensuring all decisions consider social and environmental impact. Its strategy focuses on switching to sustainable ingredient sources and packaging materials. As of 2024, Nestlé had reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 20.38% from its 2018 baseline. 93.5% of its meat, palm oil, pulp, paper, soy, sugar, cocoa, and coffee supply chains are deforestation-free. The company cut virgin plastic in its products by 21.3% compared to a 2018 baseline. It improved gender diversity, increasing women in top management positions to 47.4%. [17]

References

SI Staff (2025, Feb 13). Nestlé reported lower sales and profits in 2024. Swiss Info
Statista Research Department (2025, Mar 21). Nestlé’s net income 2005-2023. Statista
Nestlé. About Us: Mission & Vision. Nestlé-ESAR.com
Nestlé. How we do business: Our purpose. Nestlé.com
DFNI Staff Writer (2025, Mar 7). Nestlé ITR highlighted new products at the IAADFS Summit. DFNI Online
Prakash, P. (2025, Feb 11). Nestlé is expanding its $20 billion ‘emotional’ pet foods as it homes in on its top-performing brands. Fortune
Meunier, B. (2024, Feb 13). 5 Brand innovations leading the way at Nestlé. Nestlé.com
Olawale, G. (2022, Oct 26). Nestlé inspires students to healthier lifestyles. Vanguard NGR
Starbucks (2023, Sep 6). Nestlé and Starbucks Celebrate Five Years of their Global Coffee Alliance. Starbucks.com
Presley, S. (2024, Dec 31). A Year of Innovation and Meeting the Moments that Matter. Nestlé USA
Nestlé. How we do business: Our values. Nestlé.com
Nestlé. About Us: Our Corporate Business Principles. Nestlé.com
Nestlé Caribbean (2022, Aug 14). From Farm to Glass: 8 Steps Nestlé takes to ensure Product Quality. Nestlé.com
Nestlé (2024, Feb 8). 5 Strategies for building an inclusive work culture. Nestlé.com
Nestlé UK (2024, Jun 5). Nestlé Waters celebrates World Environment Day. Nestlé.co.uk
Nestlé (2022, Mar 3). Making progress for the planet. Nestlé.com
Nestlé (2025, Jan 5). Sustainability at Nestlé: 2024. Nestlé.com
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Nestlé Mission Statement Analysis