Swot Analysis: H.J. Heinz Company

SWOT Analysis: H.J. Heinz Company

Mission/Vision Statement:

The only real vision statement Heinz offers is to ‘have a bottle of ketchup on every table.' This vision statement reinforces the notion that Heinz only produces ketchup. It is unnecessary for Heinz to further identify themselves with ketchup. The ketchup market is not going to continue to expand much more than it has already. Since Heinz is synonymous with ketchup already, and customers are aware of this high quality product, they should make consumers aware of the other products they offer. Those who feel Heinz ketchup is of the highest quality would be eager to buy other products produced by Heinz believing they too would be of the highest quality. They do need a mission statement. One that identifies them with the wide variety of products they produce. Perhaps a vision statement is not as important since Heinz's customers are not really looking for any kind of break-through products in the food industry.

Strengths:

Heinz is recognized as the premier ketchup maker in the world. The Heinz corporation has diversified themselves concentrically and horizontally. They make several different types of sauces and they have expanded to the prepared food and pet food markets as well. The Heinz corporation has expanded their business internationally. This has increases sales while at the same time proved to make the corporation less susceptible to economic conditions in any one country. Heinz has also committed their corporation to being involved in food associated markets. It cut its Weight Watchers segment because it did not follow the same structure as the other divisions.

Weaknesses:

Heinz has had little success with developing new pr...

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...he food industry so it would be beneficial for Heinz to invest outside the food market.

Update:

The financial figures for Heinz in 2003 show that the company had nearly one billion dollars less in sales than for the year 2001. Despite this decline in monetary sales Heinz reported net income that was nearly 85 million more than the year 2001, but down about 260 million from 2002 figures. Heinz reported that growth was mostly realized in the international markets and significant products responsible for expansion were tuna and pet food markets. A merger with Del-Monte (joint venture) was implemented this year and regarded as an opportunity that allowed Heinz to lower debt and expand some products internationally. Heinz was also able to decrease net debt by 1.3 billion in 2003. With these gains in performance Heinz has increased stockholder return by 17%.