PARIS, France — Shane Grant has been named executive vice president and chief executive officer of Danone North America, headquartered in White Plains, NY. He will report to Emmanuel Faber, chairman and CEO of Paris-based Danone.
Mr. Grant joins Danone from the Coca-Cola Co., where he held various leadership roles in marketing, commercial and general management over nearly two decades. Most recently, he led Coca-Cola’s non-carbonated beverage business in North America.
His appointment was announced as Danone revealed plans to operate its Essential Dairy and Plant-Based (EDP) business in North America separately. The global segment was formed three years ago when Danone acquired Silk soy milk maker WhiteWave Foods, Broomfield, Colo. Brands in North America include Dannon, Oikos, Activia, Light & Fit, Horizon Organic, International Delight, So Delicious Dairy Free, Silk, Vega and Wallaby Organic.
“I am grateful to our global and North American EDP teams for the great work achieved over the last three years in integrating WhiteWave and our Dairy business in the USA and Canada,” Mr. Faber said. “With a sequential acceleration of sales growth, and the targeted $300 million synergies already secured, we believe it is the right moment for Danone North America to start another exciting phase of development and to fully participate, as the largest B Corp in the world, to Danone’s sustainable value creation agenda, while deploying our One Planet. One Health framework of action.”
Additionally, Danone said it will create a Plant-Based Acceleration Unit to unlock further growth opportunities and expand into new geographies outside of North America as well as new product categories, such as coffee and baby food. The unit will be led by Francisco Camacho, executive vice president of EDP International.
