Kraft Foods Group Marks First Independently Traded Day

Tony Vernon, CEO of Kraft Foods Group, Inc., together with employees in the company's Northfield, Ill. headquarters, kicked off the new food and beverage company's first day of trading as an independent company on Oct. 2, 2012. The spin-off of Kraft Foods Group was completed by Mondelez International, Inc. on Oct. 1.

 

"Today is the beginning of a great new company, a totally new Kraft, one with the spirit of a startup and the soul of a powerhouse," says Vernon. "We are proud of our rich history and deeply passionate about Kraft's future. We see this as an opportunity to build something extraordinary, to create a renaissance in the North American food & beverage industry."

 

Today's Kraft is a $19 billion food & beverage company with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Kraft, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Planters and JELL-O. Ten of the company's brands achieved sales of $500 million or more in 2011, while an additional 17 brands posted sales of $100 million or more last year. Approximately 80 percent of Kraft Foods Group's revenue comes from categories in which the company holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market position.

 

"Our strength is in our people," said Vernon.  "We are 25,000 strong and together we will make the new Kraft."