Campbell Forms New Division for International Businesses, Head of NA Soup Leaves Company
CAMDEN, N.J. - Campbell Soup Company on Wednesday said it will form a new division to align and grow its expanded international businesses. The company also announced that Andrew K. Hughson, president of North American Soup, is leaving the company.
Campbell's new division represents approximately $1.3 billion of Campbell's $6.7 billion in annual sales, making it the company's second-largest operating unit. The division is part of president and CEO Douglas R. Conant's realignment of Campbell's operating structure. John Doumani, currently president of Campbell Asia/Pacific, will lead the new division. In his new role, Doumani, 45, will oversee all Campbell operations in Asia/Pacific and Europe and will report to Conant.
Andrew K. Hughson, president of North American Soup, is leaving the company. Hughson, 47, joined Campbell in 1996 to head its Canadian business. The company did not comment on the reason for Hughson's departure. Larry McWilliams, 46, senior VP and chief customer officer, will lead the division on an interim basis until a permanent successor is named.
Conant said the company has made "meaningful progress" toward revitalizing its U.S. soup business in the first year of its Transformation Plan. "With new leadership, I am confident we will build on this progress and realize the full potential of our Transformation Plan for our U.S. soup franchise," he said.
Commenting on the new international division, Conant said, "We have made strategic acquisitions which significantly enhance our international growth opportunities. The new scale of our operation demands a higher level of attention so that we can realize the full potential of our larger portfolio. By combining these valuable brands and businesses, we will enhance our ability to create integrated growth platforms, assess and execute additional acquisitions and alliances, and leverage our increased scale."
Campbell's new division represents approximately $1.3 billion of Campbell's $6.7 billion in annual sales, making it the company's second-largest operating unit. The division is part of president and CEO Douglas R. Conant's realignment of Campbell's operating structure. John Doumani, currently president of Campbell Asia/Pacific, will lead the new division. In his new role, Doumani, 45, will oversee all Campbell operations in Asia/Pacific and Europe and will report to Conant.
Andrew K. Hughson, president of North American Soup, is leaving the company. Hughson, 47, joined Campbell in 1996 to head its Canadian business. The company did not comment on the reason for Hughson's departure. Larry McWilliams, 46, senior VP and chief customer officer, will lead the division on an interim basis until a permanent successor is named.
Conant said the company has made "meaningful progress" toward revitalizing its U.S. soup business in the first year of its Transformation Plan. "With new leadership, I am confident we will build on this progress and realize the full potential of our Transformation Plan for our U.S. soup franchise," he said.
Commenting on the new international division, Conant said, "We have made strategic acquisitions which significantly enhance our international growth opportunities. The new scale of our operation demands a higher level of attention so that we can realize the full potential of our larger portfolio. By combining these valuable brands and businesses, we will enhance our ability to create integrated growth platforms, assess and execute additional acquisitions and alliances, and leverage our increased scale."