Effective and efficient
The Heineken organisation has been reinforced on many fronts.
Valuable productivity gains have been achieved by concentrating
production at fewer plants, reducing staffing levels through more
efficient manpower planning and organic output growth.
We have invested heavily in supply-chain management and infor
mation and communication systems over the past two years. The
project to streamline the entire process, from brewing to the sale of
beer in the US market, was completed this year. A more efficient
supply chain has been achieved through better demand forecasting
and more efficient transport and stock management. The average
time taken for our export beers to travel from brewery to consumer
has been shortened considerably. Supply-chain management will
also be optimised in other countries in the coming years.
The upgraded uniform information and communication systems
are bringing efficiency and quality gains. The internet is now being
used increasingly in our purchasing function and in ourdealings
with clients in both the on-trade and off-trade segments.
Effectiveness based on local knowledge and the ability to grasp
local market opportunities has always been a distinguishing feature
of our operating companies, and now our standardised and up
graded management information and business process systems are
creating new opportunities for them to benefit from one another's
expertise and experience.
Continuing excellence
Although Heineken already has an excellent reputation for quality,
innovation and financial performance, we can only retain our posi
tion as one of the world's leading brewing groups by striving tireless
ly for improvement in all areas, from marketing and sales to water
treatment, from raw-material purchasing and quality control to
packaging, and all the other disciplines in which we aim to excel.
Heineken's personnel are given ample opportunities for profession
al and personal development, but we also demand a great deal of
them in working to achieve our objectives. I should like to take this
opportunity to thank all our staff for their efforts in the past year.
K. Vuursteen
Chairman of the Executive Board
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
13
