Sustainable Brand Benchmark - Associated British Foods

Associated British Foods plc

Associated British Foods plc (ABF) is a British multinational food processing and retailing company with a rich history and a diverse portfolio. Founded by W. Garfield Weston in 1935, ABF has grown into a global powerhouse with operations in over 53 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.

Operations and Divisions

ABF operates through five main divisions:

• Sugar: One of the world's largest producers of sugar.
• Agriculture: Provides ingredients and services to the farming and food industries.
• Retail: Best known for its value fashion retail chain, Primark.
• Grocery: Produces a variety of well-known brands, including Mazola, Ovaltine, and Twinings.
• Ingredients: A major producer of ingredients like emulsifiers, enzymes, and lactose.

Financial Highlights

• Revenue: £19.750 billion (2023)
• Operating Income: £1.383 billion (2023)
• Net Income: £1.068 billion (2023)
• Total Assets: £18.844 billion (2023)
• Total Equity: £11.193 billion (2023)
• Number of Employees: 133,000 (2024)

Commitment to Sustainability

ABF is dedicated to sustainable practices and invests in research and development, capital expenditure, and environmental policy to remain a market leader.

Retail Expansion

The retail division, Primark, has approximately 384 stores, predominantly in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, offering affordable fashion to a wide customer base.

Family Ownership

The Weston family, through Wittington Investments, owns a majority stake in ABF, ensuring a consistent vision and leadership for the company.