MEDIACOM-RELEASE-HJ HEINZ COMPANY
HEINZ ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
PITTSBURGH, Pa. and MANILA, Philippines, March 1, 2000 RNewswire-Asianet/-- H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) today
announced that it has signed an agreement for a joint venture with the Philippines' leading ketchup producer, Nutri Asia
of Manila, Philippines. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals in the Philippines and is expected
to be completed in early May. The new joint venture will be named Heinz UFC Philippines.
"We have long admired the strength and popularity of Nutri Asia's ketchup brands in the Philippines. Their brands,
which include UFC, are the leading names in the Philippines' well- developed local ketchup category. This joint venture
will provide an excellent platform for developing and expanding Heinz products in the Philippines," noted William R.
Johnson, Heinz president and chief executive officer.
"Heinz's growth strategy is to globalize its core categories, such as ketchup and sauces, and to invest in businesses
with strong number-one and number-two brands that bring economies of scale. We are excited that this line of leading
Philippine sauce products now will enhance the Heinz portfolio of powerful international businesses. By investing in the
Philippines at this time, Heinz is recognizing the growth potential of this vibrant economy in Asia, with a population
of nearly 76 million people and a GDP expected to grow this year at 3 percent."
Heinz will enjoy excellent distribution coverage in both retail and foodservice outlets through the strength of the
well-established local company.
Joselito D. Campos Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Nutri Asia, commented on the joint venture: "We look
forward to the superior manufacturing technology that Heinz can bring and to working closely with Heinz to expand our
business in new markets."
Heinz UFC will employ more than 200 people currently working at Nutri Asia. Existing company manufacturing facilities -
located in Tarlac, Alabang and Davao - will become part of the joint venture.
Heinz ketchup is the world's leading brand with US$2 billion in annual sales worldwide.
ABOUT HEINZ: With sales over US$9 billion, H. J. Heinz Company is one of the world's leading marketers of branded foods
to supermarkets and away-from-home eating establishments. Its 50 companies operate in some 200 countries, offering more
than 57 hundred varieties. Among the company's famous brands are Heinz, StarKist, Ore-Ida, 9-Lives, Weight Watchers,
Wattie's, Plasmon, Farley's, Smart Ones, The Budget Gourmet, Linda McCartney, San Marco, Go Ahead!, Bagel Bites, John
West, Petit Navire, Skippy, Kibbles 'n Bits, Pounce, Wagwells, Nature's Recipe, Orlando, ABC, Olivine and Pudliszki.
Information on Heinz is available at http://www.heinz.com. SOURCE H. J. Heinz Company CONTACT: MEDIA: Ted Smyth,
SVP-Corp. & Govt. Affairs, 412-456-5780; Debbie Foster, Director-Corp. Comm., 412-456-5778; or Jack Kennedy, GM-Strategic Comm.,
412-456-5923; INVESTORS: Jack Runkel, VP- Investor Relations, 412-456-6034, all of Heinz
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/575757.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 575757
Web site: http://www.heinz.com
MEDIA RELEASE FROM H.J. HEINZ COMPANY
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