Nestle-Purina unite, eliminate duplication

Karen S. Kim

GLENDALE -- A new pet-food giant -- born when corporate parents,

Nestle S.A. and Ralston Purina Co., formalized a $10.3-billion union --

could bring product and staff changes to both its parent companies.

Nestle S.A. is the Swiss corporation that heads Glendale-based Nestle

USA.

“Any time you combine two businesses, you will have some duplication

and overlap,” said Keith Schopp, spokesman for the new Nestle Purina

PetCare Co.

Schopp added that duplication would be eliminated and changes would be

made.

Whether those changes will include layoffs or product discontinuation

is not yet known, said Nestle USA spokeswoman Kimberly Constant.

“It’s really too soon to answer that question,” Constant said. “We’re

just now starting to evaluate the business, so that won’t be decided for

quite some time.”

Nestle S.A. acquired Ralston Purina following approval Dec. 11 by the

U.S. Federal Trade Commission, an antitrust enforcer.

As part of the acquisition, Nestle and Ralston Purina were ordered to

sell Meow Mix and Alley Cat dry cat food to Hartz Mountain Corp. by the

Federal Trade Commission.

Without the promise, Meow Mix would have given Nestle nearly a 45%

share of the dry cat food market, the commission said.

Nestle entered the pet food business in 1985 when it acquired Friskies

during its purchase of Carnation.

The new Nestle Purina PetCare Co. employs 15,000 people worldwide and

includes brands such as Friskies, ALPO, Fancy Feast and Purina.