Economic Impact
Heinz plays a vital role in the economic landscape of the communities where we operate by providing employment that offers competitive wages and manufacturing food products that are sold in retail supermarkets and alternate channels such as club, discount and dollar stores, and to foodservice and institutional customers.
Heinz employed approximately 33,000 people at more than 70 factories and other locations on six continents in Fiscal Year 2009.
In many cases, depending on the location and eligibility, Heinz also funds employee pension and retirement plans and partially matches employee contributions to their Company retirement savings plans.
The Company’s Defined Pension Plans were sufficiently funded to meet current benefit obligations, under applicable standards, in Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 as Heinz made contributions totaling $192 million over the two-year period. The Company funds its U.S. defined benefit plans in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations, while foreign defined benefit plans are funded in accordance with the local laws and regulations.
In addition, Heinz sustains income and employment for thousands of vendors, suppliers, farmers and co-packers through contractual relationships. Currently, we have approximately 6,200 suppliers that provide packaging and ingredients to Heinz, more than 70 Company-owned factories and 394 co-packers that our system monitors around the world. We strive to use local suppliers and vendors in the communities where we operate, when it is in the Company’s best interests.
Heinz paid more than $610 million in income taxes over the two-year period in the countries where we manufacture and/or sell products, as well as real estate taxes and other applicable taxes.
Our economic impact extends to making charitable contributions that benefit communities where we operate, with an emphasis on promoting the health, nutrition and well-being of children and families. Heinz makes voluntary contributions and grants through the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation and other Company programs. Together, Heinz donated a total of more than $16.2 million globally in Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009.