AAK Annual Report 2017

The business model – global provider of value-adding solutions AAK’s core business is to provide value-adding solutions, based on speciality vegetable oils and fats, to the food, confectionery and cosmetics industries with the purpose to achieve lasting business value together with our customers. Sourcing renewable raw materials from around the globe, we manufacture our broad product portfolio at more than 20 production facilities and customization plants. As markets evolve, new opportunities and challenges continuously arise. Therefore, it is important for AAK to stay on top of market dynamics. Some of the current consumer trends in our key markets include health and wellness, clean ODEHO VXVWDLQDELOLW\ FRVW HI¿FLHQF\ DQG SUHPLXPL]DWLRQ The Co-Development Company To be able to provide value-adding solutions to our customers we apply our unique co-development approach. This approach is based on long-term partnerships and strong relationships with our customers. In combination with a great interest in our customers’ businesses this enables us to work with our customers from idea to launch – from joint ideation, to close cooperation on development and strong support on implementation of the solution. The foundation for FR GHYHORSPHQW ZRUN LV RXU ZRUOG OHDGLQJ FDSDELOLWLHV The multi-oil and multi-process approach which gives us an unmatched capability to provide customized products. The know-how of oils and fats and their functions in different applications. The global presence which enables us to address local markets and needs, as well as act as a global partner. These capabilities make it possible for us to customize VROXWLRQV WKDW ¿W RXU FXVWRPHUV¶ VSHFL¿F QHHGV DOO ZLWK WKH purpose to achieve lasting business results. Last but not least, we have dedicated people at our many Customer Innovation Centers across the globe working in close co-operation with our customers to provide value-adding vegetable oil solutions. Functional solutions Our products are of both nutritional and functional value, outstanding in their structure, melting and crystallization EHKDYLRU UKHRORJLFDO SURSHUWLHV ÀDYRU UHOHDVH DQG VNLQ penetration. Our strong focus on customization and our multi-oil and PXOWL SURFHVV DSSURDFK HQDEOH XV WR UHVSRQG WR VSHFL¿F FXVWRPHU QHHGV VXFK DV LPSURYHG KHDOWK SUR¿OH WDVWH processing, logistics, labelling and legal requirements. In each case, our technical and commercial experts identify the RSWLPXP VROXWLRQ WR D VSHFL¿F QHHG 8