Saputo Inc. - Introduction

Introduction

6869 Métropolitain Blvd. East
Saint-Léonard, Quebec H1P 1X8
Canada
Telephone: (514) 328-6662
Fax: (514) 328-3364
Web site: http://www.saputo.com

Public Company
Incorporated: 1954
Employees: 7,000
Sales: C$3.39 billion (US$2.3 billion) (2003)
Stock Exchanges: Toronto
Ticker Symbol: SAP
NAIC: 422430 Dairy Product (Except Dried or Canned) Wholesalers

Quebec's Saputo Inc. is Canada's number one dairy group, and, through a series of acquisitions in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has joined the top five North American dairy processors. Saputo has also taken its first steps on the global market, announcing its acquisition of Molfino, in Argentina, in October 2003. In addition to its flagship line of mozzarella cheeses, Saputo produces a wide variety of natural and specialty cheeses, including provolone, ricotta, cheddar, blue cheese, brie, camembert, and others. The company also boasts an array of brand names, ranging from its own Saputo brand, to Stella, Frigo, Dragone, Armstrong, Caron, and Cayer. A strong proportion of the group's sales come through industrial and foodservice channels. In addition to its core cheeses, Saputo, through its Dairyland, Baxter, and Nutrilait brands, is also Canada's leading producer of fresh milk, cream, butter, and other non-cheese dairy foods. The company operates through four primary divisions: Cheese (Canada), Cheese (USA), Milk, which is focused on the Canadian market, and Bakery. This latter, the company's smallest at less than 5 percent of sales, encompasses the Vachon brand, and includes such beloved Canadian snacks as Jos. Louis, Hop & Go!, Ah Caramel, and Passion Flakie. Listed on the Toronto stock exchange, Saputo remains controlled at 60 percent by the founding Saputo family, including Chairman Lino Saputo and his son and company CEO Lino Saputo, Jr. In 2003, the company posted sales of C$3.4 billion (US$2.3 billion).