The consultants believe U.S. dairy companies should consider four strategic responses – global growth, growth beyond traditional business models, insight-driven innovation, and operational and performance excellence – to capture growth in the current evolving environment.
Some manufacturers, they said, will grow by capturing share in the global market and employing “best-in-class” international export and local production capabilities. Other companies, excited about the prospects of ingredients and product categories beyond traditional dairy, will succeed by redefining their businesses and broadening their consumer bases. Targeting these markets will require “fit-for-purpose divisions” and tightly focused sales.
Noting that consumer preferences, particularly among Millennials, are evolving faster than ever before, Carbonneau and Meilhac explained the benefits of insight-driven innovation. Companies with top-notch consumer insight and product development capabilities can win consumers over through innovative product portfolios, they said.