press release

——————————— PRESS RELEASE ——————————
Paris, April 22th 2005
Groupe DANONE strengthens management structure in Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific is Groupe DANONE’s most dynamic market with sales of €2billion (over
15% of the Group total) and annual growth averaging 10% over the past five years.
To underpin strong, steady expansion in the region, DANONE is beefing up its
management team and introducing a new structure for this strategic market on July 1
this year.
Simon Israel, 54, Executive Vice-President, Asia-Pacific since 1997, is appointed
Chairman, Asia-Pacific, and will represent Groupe DANONE in the region, notably
with partners.
Emmanuel Faber, 41, currently Executive Vice-President, Finance, Strategy and
Information Systems at Groupe DANONE, is appointed Executive Vice-President,
Asia-Pacific, with responsibility for operational activities in the region.
At the same time Antoine Giscard d’Estaing, 44, Executive VP, Finance & Control,
Legal Affairs at Schneider Electric, is appointed Executive Vice-President for
Finance, Strategy and Information Systems at Groupe DANONE.
Antoine Giscard d’Estaing, 44, is a graduate of HEC and ENA. After working
as a Finance Inspector in the French civil service, he joined Groupe Lyonnaise
des Eaux-Dumez in 1990, serving as Senior Vice President, Finance of
Lyonnaise des Eaux from 1995 to 1997, then Finance Director of SuezLyonnaise des Eaux from 1997 to 1999. In 1999, he joined Schneider Electric,
where he has been Executive VP, Finance & Control, Legal Affairs since 2001.
Antoine Giscard d’Estaing is a member of the board of French market authority
Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and a director of NRJ.
Simon Israel, Emmanuel Faber and Antoine Giscard d’Estaing are members of the
Executive Committee of Groupe DANONE.
For further information :
Corporate Communication : 33 1 44 35 20 75
Groupe DANONE : 15, rue du Helder 75439 Paris Cedex 09 – Fax 33 1 45 35 24 80
Appendix
Key Figures, Asia-Pacific region
In the Asia-Pacific region, Groupe DANONE is present in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, China,
Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
Groupe DANONE is market leader for biscuits in India, Malaysia, New Zealand and China;
for bottled water in China and Indonesia; and for energy drinks in New Zealand.
In 2004, the Group employed over 41,000 people in the region—46% of its total workforce—
and operated 84 production plants of a total 200 worldwide. Annual sales revenues in the
region totaled €2 billions, with operating margin at 14%. Nearly all output produced in the
region is consumed locally.
Production volumes total around 506,000 metric tons for biscuits (40% of Group total) and
7,7 billions liters for beverages (45% of Group total).
In the first quarter of 2005, markets in Asia accounted for nearly 30% of Group organic
growth and 18%of DANONE total sales.
For further information :
Corporate Communication : 33 1 44 35 20 75
Groupe DANONE : 15, rue du Helder 75439 Paris Cedex 09 – Fax 33 1 45 35 24 80