Overview of General Mills: Market Positioning, Products, and Future Recommendations
General Mills, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been a staple in the processed and packaged goods sector since 1928. With a robust portfolio featuring iconic products like Cheerios, Progresso soups, and Green Giant vegetables, the company boasts 79 manufacturing locations globally. Stability in stock prices and consistent dividends reflect its leadership in the industry, despite challenges from rising commodity costs and competition from store brands. To enhance competitiveness, the company should focus on environmental sustainability, online marketing expansion, and international market diversification.
Overview of General Mills: Market Positioning, Products, and Future Recommendations
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Company Overview • Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Incorporated in 1928 • 79 manufacturing locations, 49 in U.S. • Social Involvement, leadership development, health concerns • Consistent dividends • Longevity & Well- recognized brands, trust, loyalty • Large variety of products • Stable position, little stock volatility • Not too much bad press • High commodity prices in the food industry (grains, oats, etc.) • Many recognitions/awards • High debt, debt financing through bond issuances • Accounts receivable growth is greater than revenue growth (happens through acquisitions: Yoplait)
Products Offered • Product mixincludes: baking products, dough/pastries, fruit, cereals, ice cream, meals, organic/natural, pasta, pizza, snacks, soups, vegetables, and yogurt. • The cereal product lineincludes the company's Big G cereals, which are: Cheerios, FiberOne, Chex, Lucky Charms, Wheaties, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Total Raisin Bran, Kix, Honey Nut Clusters, Count Chocula, Trix, Whole Grain Total, Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams, etc. • Another product line would be soups, which include: Progresso and Muir Glen. And one last example would be its' vegetables product line including: Green Giant, Cascadian Farm, and Muir Glen • Wiki link: http://generalmills-mgt111hn1project.wikispaces.com/Product+%26+Services
Market Positioning • Sector: Consumer Goods • Industry: Processed & Packaged Goods • Major competitors: Kellogg’s, Kraft, ConAgra Foods, Danone, Campbell Soup, Seneca Food Corporation • Ranks real high in the industry because… • Top #1 selling cereals • Stable operations • Shareholders trust • High value to market • Products essential to everyday life • No matter what, people need to eat • Shows ranking based on different criteria • http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/ll/342qpm.html
Comparison showing General Mills being about 7.86% of the total industry market cap
Profitability • Income Statement
Trending of Stock Prices • Started off low • Stock price and volume increased when quarterly earnings report was released, results better than expected • For the most part, stock price remained stable between $37-$39 • Volume ranged from 2 million to the highest of 11 million; mostly stayed within 3-4 million • Right now, reached $40 • When market almost went into a bear market, GIS remained stable along with other food processing competitors • No high volatility; consumers always need food • Do well even during hard economic times
Current Business Issues • Dealing with the high commodity costs • Expanding in online marketing/promotions • Reduce sugar grams in its’ products • Lower its’ debt • Competition from store brands: not advertised, but cheaper
Recommendations for Business Improvement • Further research to compete against Kellogg’s and ConAgra Foods • Change all factories to biomass-powered energy source; be more environmentally sustainable • Keep technology up to date • Increase in promotions and online marketing • Increase in targeting older generation • Make sure demand for products does not outpace their production capacity • Control their expansion, focus on long-range planning • Expanding their over dependence on the U.S. market to other countries. • Hire new personnel to meet demands associated with new production and new marketing campaigns