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Chief Executive's review
2004: A Year of significant changes
Year 2004 brought significant changes to the strategic priorities, structures and businesses. Raisio chose to build its strategy on more clearly focused business operations and to develop the Group as a life science-oriented food and feed company. This meant giving up Raisio Chemicals. The purchase of Raisio Chemicals by Ciba Specialty Chemicals made the Raisio Group net debt-free and clearly increased its market value. At the same time, the turnover of Raisio halved and the business portfolio became more Finnish and European. 42% of the personnel transferred to the employment of Ciba Specialty Chemicals with previous benefits.
In the Annual Report the financial impacts of the divestment are broadly described. Impacts on other aspects of corporate responsibility – i.e. environmental and social - reflect to this report.
Well-being is our target
Raisio has all the tools to promote consumer well-being with its current business portfolio. Increasing health problems and consumer-interest in nutrition and its effects on well-being provide Raisio with an excellent platform for growth as an expert and innovator in plant-based nutritional products. Furthermore, diagnostics ensuring food safety back up Raisio’s intentions.
Increased input in Research and Development
To ensure the renewal of Raisio we have decided to increase our input in Research and development. When developing food and feed products we take the environmental and sustainability issues into consideration.
New research areas and the investments on modern production technology provide our personnel with opportunities for further development. New recruitments have been made to the nutrition research unit and to the food diagnostics research unit.
Common values show us the direction
Raisio’s fundamental objectives – profitability, customer satisfaction and well-being – are supported by our common values: expertise, responsibility and open co-operation. The competent and responsible personnel co-operating closely with different stakeholders, ensures the profitable growth and serves customers, who can be pleased with our products and services. The ethical principles of Raisio build the platform for our business and the development of it as well as give help in everyday choices.
Today, we have good resources to co-operate and create well-being to all our stakeholders, responsibly and competently.
Rabbe Klemets
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