BUSINESS - World's Largest Food Company Moves US Headquarters to Virginia

Nestlé S.A., the world’s second largest pet care manufacturer and largest food company, is moving its US corporate headquarters from California to Arlington County, Virginia.

The company’s roots are in the food business, with Henri Nestlé’s development of a breakthrough infant food in 1867, and a 1905 merger of the the company he founded with Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company to form what is now known as the Nestlé Group.

Nestlé stepped into the pet market 80 years ago and their market share has been growing steadily as they acquired big brands like Purina.

The move east will bring headquarters closer to the bulk of its business and stakeholders.

“We carefully considered a number of options and Arlington hits all the marks. Not only is it attractive to our current employees while offering a great talent pool for the future, but this location allows us to be closer to our business operations, our customers and other important stakeholders,” Paul Grimwood, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA, said in a release.

Currently, 75 percent of Nestlé USA’s factories and 85 percent of its top customers are located in the eastern half of the United States.

In addition, 80 percent of the company’s products are sold east of the Mississippi River and a majority of key regulatory groups and non-government organizations pertinent to the business located in or near the Washington, D.C. areas.

The company expects to bring approximately 750 jobs to the Washington, D.C. area with this transition.

Nestlé in the US consists of eight main businesses: Nestlé USA, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Nestlé Waters North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nespresso, Nestlé Skin Health and Nestlé Health Science.

Nestlé Purina PetCare’s US headquarters will remain in St. Louis, MO and will be joined by Nestlé IT to drive efficiency across Nestlé’s US operations.

The company's pet care division has been supporting pet related causes and active in the animal industry.

In the United States, Nestlé product sales topped $26 billion in 2015, making it the largest Nestlé market in the world.

Where in the world is Dr. David Goodnight?

David B. Goodnight, DVM, MBA, completed his activities for Nestle Purina PetCare during the second quarter of 2013. With 35 years of experience in animal healthcare and a unique ability to think about the future, no-one expected Goodnight to be idle long.In early July, Brakke Consulting, Inc., Dallas, Texas, announced Goodnight had rejoined one of the industry's most seasoned management team as a senior consultant.A Dallas native, Goodnight received his DVM degree from Texas A and M University in 1977 and his MBA from Southern Methodist University in 1988. Some will recall that Goodnight’s first stint with Brakke was from 1997 to 1999, following 19 years of veterinary practice. During that time, Goodnight established the Practice Management Group, and conceived/executed the 1998 Brakke Management and Behavior Study, a landmark survey on the financial business practices of companion animal veterinarians sponsored by Bayer Animal Health. Goodnight then joined Veterinary Pet Insurance as Executive Vice President of Business Development, managing sales, customer service and marketing.Goodnight returned to Brakke in 2004 for 18 months before joining Nestle Purina PetCare Co. to launch a new pet insurance company. PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance was launched in 2008 and was later sold to other interests. The most important development of Goodnight's involvement is the Partners in Wellness program which he conceived in 2011 and launched in 2012. Partners in Wellness, is a patent-pending, turnkey software solution that veterinarians can use to create and offer customized wellness programs for their clients.Earlier today, UK based insurance software provider Aquarium Software Ltd, announced an expansion into the North American market with the formation of Aquarium Software, Inc. and the retention of David Goodnight to spearhead market entry.  Building on Aquarium’s recent deployment with Pets Plus Us in Canada, David will be responsible for establishing and assisting with the staffing of Aquarium’s North American office based in Kerrville, TX. In addition Good night will assist with business development, oversee and manage North American customer relations. In a phone call early this morning Goodnight advised he expects the initial focus will be on the pet insurance industry where Aquarium Software has unique operating and cost advantages.

Contact Goodnight on LinkedIn