General Mills(GIS) - 2025 Q4 - Annual Report

Sales and Market Presence - Walmart Inc. and its affiliates accounted for 22% of General Mills' consolidated net sales and 31% of net sales in the North America Retail segment during fiscal 2025[18] - General Mills operates under four segments: North America Retail, International, North America Pet, and North America Foodservice, with detailed financial results available in Item 7[14] - General Mills' joint ventures include Cereal Partners Worldwide with Nestlé, competing in the ready-to-eat cereal category outside North America[15] Employee and Workforce - General Mills has approximately 33,000 employees globally, with around 17,000 in the U.S. and 16,000 in international markets[31] - The workforce includes approximately 13,000 employees dedicated to product production and around 20,000 non-production employees[31] - The company emphasizes a culture of belonging and employee engagement, which is critical for recruiting and retaining talent[33] - The company provides various training and career development opportunities to enhance employee skills and engagement[32] - The company has implemented global safety management systems and training to ensure consistent safety protocol adherence[34] Product Development and Innovation - The company focuses on developing innovative, proprietary products, many of which are patent protected, considering these patents a valuable asset[25] - The company emphasizes product innovation, quality, and effective customer relationships as key competitive strategies[19] - The company focuses on various product categories, including snacks, ready-to-eat cereal, convenient meals, and super-premium ice cream[20] Demand and Market Trends - Demand for refrigerated dough, frozen baked goods, and baking products is stronger in the fourth calendar quarter, while demand for Progresso soup peaks in fall and winter[26] Raw Materials and Supply Chain - The principal raw materials include grains, dairy products, and vegetable oils, with costs subject to fluctuations due to various external conditions[21] - The company has a grain merchandising operation to manage market exposures and ensure continuity of operations[21] - General Mills has a grain merchandising operation that provides efficient access to commodity markets, primarily wheat and oats[21] Regulatory and Environmental Compliance - General Mills' operations are subject to extensive regulation by various federal and state agencies regarding food safety and quality[27] - The company is involved in two environmental response actions related to hazardous substances in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Moonachie, New Jersey, as of May 25, 2025[28] - The company believes that its environmental proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position[30] - The company is committed to ethical business conduct and respect for human rights across its supply chain[34] Corporate Governance - The company’s executive team includes Kofi A. Bruce as CFO, with a history of roles in finance and operations since joining in 2009[36] - The company’s website offers free access to annual and quarterly reports, as well as current reports filed with the SEC[50]