Looking to the future!

On Wednesday, October 29, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management welcomed Alexander von Maillot, CEO of Nestlé Germany, to a CEO Talk entitled “The Food Company of the Future.” Students, alumni, and friends of the business school gained authentic insights into the world's largest food company—from its beginnings with life-saving baby food to a global corporation with 2,000 brands, strong innovative power, and a deep commitment to sustainability.

Alexander von Maillot, who started as a trainee at Nestlé almost three decades ago, spoke about key products such as coffee and chocolate, which are under pressure. This is because the conditions for coffee and cocoa cultivation in Africa have changed immensely due to climate change. Farmers are harvesting smaller quantities, which is leading to higher prices that Nestlé cannot pass on to customers without restriction. The company is therefore investing in research and is providing farmers with new, more resilient cocoa and coffee plants. Education and training programs for farmers on how to cultivate these varieties round off Nestlé's commitment. Alexander von Maillot emphasized that fair, strong partnerships with all suppliers are key to ensuring Nestlé's long-term success. In addition, he said that it is a matter close to his and every decision-maker at Nestlé to improve the living conditions of people in the countries where the company operates. Nestlé strengthens local communities by, among other things, getting involved in school construction and operation. Well-educated people contribute to increasing local prosperity and are crucial to Nestlé's ability to continue producing safe, high-quality food.

More and more people are overweight and suffer from fatty liver disease. Nestlé wants to contribute to a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle. The company has therefore significantly reduced the sugar content in its products and launched special health-promoting products that are sold through doctors. “On the way to better health” is the motto under which Nestlé organizes these activities.

During the Q&A session with students, Alexander von Maillot also addressed difficult topics such as the announced job cuts. He emphasized how painful these decisions and their implementation were – especially for those affected and their families. At the same time, he stressed that the company as a whole and its future were a commitment that had to be honored – and that this included weathering tough times. Despite the challenging phase, Alexander von Maillot was confident and encouraged students to consider Nestlé for their career start or internships. The company employs numerous engineers, food technicians, and scientists, but strong brands are what make Nestlé and the company's success. The company is always interested in meeting committed, innovative, and globally oriented marketers.

However, this is only one area in which business administration graduates are needed. Others include, for example, the management of global supply chains. The integration of artificial intelligence and the exploitation of its potential also offer attractive career prospects.

During the subsequent get-together, many students took the opportunity to talk to the CEO in person.