Stephane Batoux takes over as new General Manager of Danone Romania

Batoux gained solid experience on the Ukrainian and Russian dairy markets, after having served for several years as General Manager of the Ukrainian branch, and involved in the coordination of operations on the Russian market.  In September 2006, Batoux arranged for the takeover of a local factory in southern Ukraine, to reduce the imports of dairy products from Russian Danone factories.

Although Ukraine has more than double Romania’s 21 million inhabitants, its per capita fresh dairy consumption of 4 kilograms is similar to that of Romania, while Western Europeans consume 22 kg of fresh dairy products per capita.  This is a clear indication of the great growth potential on Romania’s market.

Danone Romania posted turnover in 2007 of RON 367 million (€90 mln), 20 percent more year-on-year.  Its Bucharest factory employs some 700 persons, and company data indicates that it claims about half of the Romanian yoghurt market.

The internal dairy market exceeds €900 million, with main producers Friesland Foods, Danone, Albalact, Covalact and LaDorna.