Numico boosts Chinese activities - Brief Article

Eurofood, Feb 17, 2000

Dutch food company Numico has acquired all the shares in Wuxi Chia-Pharmaceutical Company, based in the Chinese province of Wuxi. The Dutch group will use the company to kick-start production of enteral clinical nutrition for use in hospitals in the local market. The acquired operation, which has already been renamed Nutricia Pharmaceutical Company, currently generates annual sales in the region of ??3.5m and employs 145 people. Numico claims to have a market share of 55% in enteral clinical nutrition in China, with all products currently being imported under a special licence. The group expects to start local production of enteral clinical nutrition early next year.

Closer to home, Numico has announced the launch of a new infant formula concept which will be introduced by its Nutricia, Milupa and Cow & Gate subsidiaries. The formula is designed to help babies suffering from minor digestive problems and include three main ingredients: a carbohydrate mix including prebiotics; specific fats as found in breast milk; and pre-digested proteins to allow for easy digestion. The news follows Numico's announcement at the end of last year that 2000 would see a number of new product launches (see Eurofood, 2 December 1999, p9).

STAGE 3 SET FOR EXPANSION

The group says it is expanding its range of `Stage 3' infant formulas designed to meet the needs of older babies. The range is already available to parents in Germany, Poland and Switzerland, and is set to hit the shelves in most other European countries during the first quarter of the year.