Latest news with #MondelēzInternational
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
US CG visits Pakistan-based US company in Hub
KARACHI: The US Consul General in Karachi Scott Urbom recently visited the Pakistan based American company, Mondelēz, located in Hub, Balochistan. The company, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, set up a plant in Pakistan in 1993. More than 80 US companies directly employ 120,000 Pakistanis and indirectly support the livelihoods of over a million Pakistani workers, showcasing the significant impact of American businesses in the region. During the visit, the Consul General toured the plants, where Mondelēz produces chocolate, candy, and powdered beverages. Mondelēz International's largest-selling brands in Pakistan include Cadbury Dairy Milk, Tang, and Cadbury Eclairs. Mondelez employs over 1100 Pakistanis nationwide and operates two manufacturing facilities in Hub, Balochistan, with a distribution network that spans the entire country. The visit highlighted Mondelēz Pakistan's commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. In 2024, the company organized Iftar event for underprivileged children during Ramazan, demonstrating their dedication to community support. Additionally, Mondelēz Pakistan has partnered with Shams Power to solarize its Tang plant, generating clean and affordable energy. In 2024, the company celebrated various cultural events, including Mother's Day, Eid, and Diwali, emphasizing their respect for the rich cultural tapestry of Pakistan. The Consul General's underscored, 'American businesses have a long history of investing in Pakistan, creating jobs, strengthening local industries, and building long-term economic ties. The United States remains committed to supporting economic growth in Pakistan through private sector partnerships that benefit both our countries.' The US Government has worked with various American companies in Pakistan to drive investment, entrepreneurship and job creation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mondelēz demystifies AI-powered coding gains
This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. As Mondelēz International embarked on a sizable systems overhaul, the snack maker was looking for ways to alleviate burdens on its tech team and developers. 'With all the things we've been doing, finding ways to speed up and make [engineers] more agile and give them capabilities was a No. 1 priority,' Sean Tibor, director of global cloud engineering at Mondelēz, told CIO Dive. A coding assistant fit the bill. Tibor gave developers access to Amazon Q, a generative AI-powered assistant, 'as early as I possibly could, to be honest.' Since embedding the tool in engineering workflows, Mondelēz shortened its development cycles and new hires began using it as a learning resource. Mondelēz measures the tool's value in three parts: quantitatively, qualitatively and anecdotally. 'We are set up well to encourage adoption, and then we've got the feedback loop on the metrics to be able to see what they're actually using it for and that we're getting the value out of the spend that we're putting into,' Tibor said. Enterprises have tied more development practices to AI as engineers have embraced coding assistants and the technology has improved. In one benchmark, AI systems solved nearly 72% of coding problems in 2024, compared to just 4.4% in 2023, according to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI's latest AI Index report published in April. Mondelēz developers have free rein to use Amazon Q across any project in the company's environment. An internal AI review board helped make the decision after ensuring that teams could use encryption keys to manage data, monitor usage and disable training for outside use cases. 'We've done a major migration from legacy data centers over to the cloud, and this is wave three of cloud migrations for Mondelēz,' Tibor said. 'What we've been migrating over has been a lot of the most difficult legacy systems to bring over and finding new ways to modernize and run those workloads at scale.' In addition to code creation, engineers ask Q to validate and test code generated by the tool or a human. 'They've seen a speed up, not just in generating code, but in validating the code before it goes into our development,' Tibor said. The AI tool has also sped up server provisioning, which used to take seven to ten days. Fully compliant servers are now ready in about 20 minutes, said Tibor. Like most other enterprises, Mondelēz has grappled with tech talent woes. Skill gaps can threaten project momentum and have been blamed for hours wasted and exacerbated inefficiencies. A dearth of talent also puts pressure on existing staff. Tibor said it can be difficult to recruit and onboard cloud engineers into the company's environment in an agile way. 'It's a very high-demand job internally within our organization,' Tibor said. 'We found that we can use Q not just as a way to write code, but also to act as a tutor so that they can learn more about the services and offerings through chat capabilities.' Previously, developers might have had a question for a senior member of the team and had to wait for a response, which could slow down processes, given the organization's global nature. 'That senior engineer might still be asleep,' Tibor said. 'It's cut down that cycle time for learning and made iteration a lot faster, which has been exciting to see everyone taking advantage of, especially with our new hires onboarding.' Skill gaps can also push employees to try and find their own solutions, leading to problems down the line, like shadow IT. 'By offering a high-quality coding assistant, it kind of removed the desire for them to go get things like Copilot, which we're not using,' Tibor said. 'We're still very mindful of the security aspects of it and make sure that what we're doing is appropriate.' AI-powered productivity pushes can lead to unintended outcomes, such as degraded quality and security implications. Guardrails and security are crucial with output expectations on the rise as more than two-thirds of developers say AI tool adoption has put pressure on them to deliver on projects faster, according to a HackerRank report. 'Culture makes a huge difference,' Tibor said. 'I'm really proud of the engineering team, and they are highly accountable and trustworthy. They want to do the right thing, and when they look at coding, they're assessing it on the same rubric that I am, which is: how much is this helping me versus how much is this creating further problems and code integrity issues.' Recommended Reading How Mondelēz laid the groundwork for a major digital overhaul Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mondelēz International Scales Up Due Diligence and Sector Collaboration to Promote Human Rights; Releases Annual 2024 Progress Report
Continued to scale human rights due diligence across global operations and supply chains, with ~96% of owned plants and ~98% of prioritized supplier sites audited in the last three years.1 Trained more than 50,000 colleagues since launching Human Rights Policy in 2021. Advanced efforts to help prevent child labor and support community resilience, expanding Child Labor Monitoring & Remediation Systems to cover ~89% of Cocoa Life communities in West Africa by the end of 2024. CHICAGO, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- lMondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) today released its 2024 Human Rights Due Diligence and Modern Slavery Report, outlining the company's progress in helping to prevent, identify, and address potential human rights and modern slavery risks across its operations and value chain. 'Doing what's right is ingrained in our Snacking Made Right mission. We strive to embed human rights due diligence into how we do business every day,' said Chris McGrath, Chief Impact & Sustainability Officer, Mondelēz International. 'The scale of challenges needs increased focus and meaningful partnerships – and we continue to evolve and make progress on both fronts. We have strong execution plans that we believe will continue to support our growth around the world, underpinned by our focus on promoting a culture where everyone is treated with care and integrity.' Scaling and Enhancing Due Diligence across the Value Chain Beyond information included in the 2024 Report released today, Mondelēz International continues to strengthen its human rights due diligence (HRDD) across both its own operations and supplier network: ~96% of owned manufacturing sites and ~98% of prioritized suppliers have completed third-party SMETA audits in the past 3 years. HRDD coverage has been expanded to increase coverage of suppliers' manufacturing and logistic sites handling the company's finished products. Since launching its dedicated Human Rights Policy in 2021, the company has trained more than ~50,000 colleagues on human rights issues, including ~7,000 in manufacturing and logistics, and ~3,000 in key stewardship roles. As part of its focus on prioritized ingredients, Mondelēz International continued scaling its signature cocoa sustainability program Cocoa Life in 2024: Partnering with around 208,000 farmers and backed by a $1 billion investment from 2012 through 2030. As of year-end 2024, approximately 89% of Cocoa Life communities in West Africa – representing approximately 2,480 communities – are covered by Child Labor Monitoring & Remediation System (CLMRS). The company aims to cover all West African Cocoa Life communities with a CLMRS by the end of 2025 and has conducted more than 240,000 interviews to help prevent child labor. Cocoa Life's integrated approach focused on developing ways to help make cocoa farming more profitable, help protect and restore forests and help lift local cocoa communities. This includes efforts focused on women's empowerment, income diversification, and entrepreneurship through Village Savings and Loan Associations and partnerships with CARE International. Sector Collaboration to Accelerate Impact Mondelēz International believes addressing systemic human rights issues in ingredient supply chains needs collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society. To help address child labor in the West African Cocoa supply chain, in 2024, the company deepened its support for sector-wide systemic solutions, through its continued support and investment of ~$3million from 2022 to 2026 in the Child Learning and Education Facility (CLEF), which aims to reach over 4 million children by transforming rural education in Cote d'Ivoire. Building on the success of the CLEF initiative, Mondelēz International is supporting the development of a new public-private partnership, the System Change Architecture for Learning Excellence (SCALE) initiative to help improve the quality of education in Ghana with an investment of ~$1million over the next four years. SCALE is innovating how national-level financing can be unlocked. To date, three philanthropic partners and 10 cocoa and chocolate companies have joined forces to support SCALE — a collaborative co-funding mechanism that will inject further funds into the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), a five-year governmental initiative seeking to improve the quality of education in low-performing basic education (ages 4-15) schools and strengthen the education sector across Ghana. It focuses on strengthening teaching capacity, accountability and leadership systems, access to high-quality school resources, and better operational management. It is the first time that private and philanthropic organizations have raised enough finance to trigger the Global Partnership for Education's (GPE) Multiplier Grant in Ghana. By pooling US$40 million, SCALE partners were able to unlock an additional US$40 million from GPE to support GALOP. Beyond cocoa, the company's multiple collaborations with industry coalitions help support the company's progress and human rights efforts. These include: Co-chairing the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition, to help shape industry leading practices. This year, Mondelēz supported the development of the Best Practice Note on Human Rights Defenders which aims to inspire businesses in helping to better protect human rights defenders. Supporting World Cocoa Foundation's (WCF) vision to catalyze a thriving and equitable cocoa sector. Serving as a member of the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) Board of Directors to support sector-wide progress in addressing child labor in West African cocoa. Joining the Coalition for Responsible Sugarcane India (CRSI) to help strengthen human rights practices in India's sugarcane sector. Co-chairing the CAOBISCO's partnership with the International Labor Organization to help combat child labor in seasonal harvesting of hazelnuts in Turkey. Partnering with WageMap, a new initiative to drive alignment across living wage methodologies and frameworks. Our Human Rights Approach At Mondelēz International, we are committed to making our snacks the right way, including respecting the human rights of people in our value chain. As part of our business practices, we use the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) as a guide to prevent and mitigate associated risks, supporting our commitment to fostering a safe, healthy and sustainable working environment, as detailed in our Human Rights Policy. About Mondelēz InternationalMondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate's Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class North America and World Indices, formerly Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Visit or follow the company on X at Contacts: Maggie McKerr1-847-943-5678news@ 1 We aim to regularly and transparently report our progress. You can find additional details on Mondelēz International's ESG goals and reported information within the About This Report section of our 2024 Snacking Made Right in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Aldi vs Oreo: Oreo maker sues Aldi over 'copycat' packaging
The corporation behind Oreo has filed a lawsuit in the US against the budget supermarket Aldi, accusing it of "blatantly" copying the packaging of its famous a lawsuit seen by the BBC, Mondelēz International said Aldi uses similar packaging likely to "deceive" consumers and "ride the coattails" of the company's "attraction, fame and prestige".The snack giant also is behind Wheat Thins, Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy!, and Ritz - all products the company accuses Aldi of copying with its "discount" versions. Aldi US didn't respond to the BBC's request for comment, but its British counterpart stressed that it is not involved in the lawsuit. A spokesperson for Aldi UK told the BBC, that they are "under the same ownership but operate as completely separate businesses". Mondelēz, which submitted the lawsuit in May, said it has reached out to Aldi several times about the "confusingly similar packaging".Although Aldi did discontinue or alter some products' packaging, the supermarket has continued making "unacceptable copies", the lawsuit stated. The company claims if Aldi is not stopped, it will cause "irreparably harm" to the Mondelēz brand. The lawsuit included side-by-side pictures comparing the appearances of Mondelēz' product with Aldi' the lawsuit, Aldi is accused of trademark infringement, unfair competition and unjust enrichment. Mondelēz said it is seeking described Aldi's business model as hinging on "low-priced private label products that resemble the look and feel of well-known brands".Aldi, which has its headquarters in Germany, is known as a discount supermarket offering affordable alternatives to well-known brands. There are over 2,500 Aldi shops in the US. This is not the first time Aldi has been embroiled in a trademark battle. Earlier this year, it lost a battle with Cider producers Thatchers, which accused the supermarket of copying its drink in "taste and appearance".
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mondelēz invests in compostable packaging, regenerative agriculture
This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. Oreo maker Mondelēz International announced investments in companies working on scaling compostable packaging and regenerative agriculture through its sustainability-focused venture arm. Mondelēz's Sustainable Futures Impact Investment platform said the capital "further advance[s] scalable, high-impact solutions at the nexus of climate, community, and circularity." The companies receiving investment include Pack2Earth, which looks to replace plastic packaging with bio-based materials; eAgronom, an agricultural technology company that helps farmers transition to more sustainable practices; and Ziro, a fintech startup providing small merchants with inventory financing. Mondelēz's investments in sustainability and innovation come as several of its food competitors rethink those commitments amid declining sales and shifting government policy. General Mills, for example, shut down its venture arm in March as it adjusts "how we pursue new growth initiatives." PepsiCo, meanwhile, reduced the scope of some of its climate goals last month as it looks to become more "pragmatic" around making the most impact while still preserving profits. Mondelēz also changed some of its sustainability and innovation commitments, including a shift in how it makes investments through its SnackFutures venture arm. It also joined other food giants in exiting the U.S. Plastics Pact, an initiative that seeks to unite large companies in a pledge to advance packaging sustainability. The Clif Bar and belVita biscuit owner reported a 12% reduction in emissions last year compared to 2018, according to its latest sustainability report. While it made progress on many of its goals around ingredient sourcing and manufacturing emissions, the company acknowledged headwinds in its ability to reduce the use of virgin plastic. "While we believe we have a strong pipeline of projects for 2025, we anticipate facing challenges in sourcing new materials and overcoming technical challenges to qualify and implement new solutions," the report said. Recommended Reading Nestlé, Mondelēz leave the US Plastics Pact Sign in to access your portfolio
