Osem

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Osem Investments Ltd.

Type	Public TASE: OSEM
Industry	Food processing
Founded	1942
Headquarters	Petah Tikva, Israel
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Aviezer Kaplan (CEO)
Products	Coffee, Pasta, Breakfast cereals, Confectionery
Revenue	NIS 3,807.2 million (2010)[1]
Operating income	NIS 480.5 million (2010)
Net income	NIS 316.48 million (2010)
Total assets	NIS 3,551.8 million (2010)
Employees	4707
Website	www.osem.co.il

Osem Investments Ltd. (TASE: OSEM) (Hebrew: אסם‎) is one of the largest food manufacturers and distributors in Israel.^[2] The group is majority owned (51%) by Nestlé S.A. of Switzerland.

The company is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the TA-25 Index.

History

Founded in 1942 as a food marketing company. Four years later, in 1946, the company built its first factory in Bnei Brak. It originally produced noodles and ptitim, an Israeli invention. In 1964, Osem's snack factory was founded in Holon, and the company's main product was created - the peanut butter flavored Bamba. In 1970, the company started producing baked food in addition to introducing the Bissli snacks, which come is several flavors such as falafel, mesquite, BBQ, pizza and onion. Osem also produces soup powders which once contained high quantities of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). The company now markets MSG-free versions of its soup mixes under a green label as opposed to the traditional red one.

The company's main factory was built in 1976 in Petah Tikva, in which the company's administration offices, distribution center and the sauce factory are now found.

Osem has acquired several smaller food companies and expanded their product lines, such as Froumine, Argal Bakery Shop and Magdanot HaBait factory (where the cakes production line is found).

In 1995, Osem started to market Nestle's products. Among these are coffee, chocolate and breakfast cereals; Nestle also acquired 50.1% of Osem's shares in that year.

All Osem products produced in Israel are produced under the kosher supervision of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and many are certified by the Edah HaChareidis as well.

Production facilities and subsidiaries

Osem factory, Modi'in

The company holds a number of subsidiaries which make up the Osem Group. The company's subsidiaries include Sabra Salads, Tivall, Of Tov, Nestle Ice Creams, Beit Hashita, Asamim, Nestle-Purina, Materna Ltd. (51%) and Foodtec. In 2008, the company bought Tribe Mediterranean Foods Ltd., a Mediterranean food producer and distributor based in the United States. The group produces approximately 2,000 different products, divided into four main categories: Room Temperature food - Snacks & Pastries, Room Temperature food - Other, Chilled food and Frozen food.

The group operates 10 different production facilities in Israel and distributes its produce through its distribution centers. In 2007, the group completed the construction of a nationwide distribution and logistics center. In addition, the group exports its produce to Europe and the United States through its overseas subsidiaries: Osem U.K. Ltd. and Osem USA Inc.

See also

• Nestlé
• TA-25 Index

References

External links

• Osem official web site