Kraft-ing operations to impact bottom line.(Supply Side)(Interview)

TOM CORLEY

VP OF WAL-MART SALES,

KRAFT

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Kraft is one of the world's leading food companies with annual sales of $34 billion. Its stable of brands are sold in more than 150 countries and include familiar names such as Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Nabisco, Planters, Jell-O, Cool Whip, Grey Poupon, Velveeta, DiGiorno, Oreo, KooI-Aid, Crystal Light and Maxwell House. Kraft is well established in Northwest Arkansas and today the company's team of approximately 200 associates is lead by Tom Corley, who serves as vp of Wal-Mart sales.

CNWA: KRAFT BECAME AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN IT WAS SPUN OFF FROM ALTRIA. WHAT IMPACT DID THAT CHANGE HAVE ON THE STRUCTURE AND STRATEGIES OF THE TEAM IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS?

TC: It did not affect the structure of how we are represented in Northwest Arkansas, but the spinoff is going to provide Kraft with financial independence and a greater degree of flexibility in the marketplace, We have been able to streamline operations to improve efficiency and accelerate decision-making and our speed to market.

CNWA: SPEED AND FLEXIBILITY ARE IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES WHEN DEALING WITH WAL-MART.

TC: Absolutely.

CNWA: IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SPINOFF, KRAFT CEO IRENE ROSENFELD DETAILED A THREE-YEAR TRANSFORMATION PLAN TO GROW THE …