Numico (or in full Koninklijke Numico N.V., Royal Numico N.V.), is a specialist baby food and clinical nutrition subsidiary of Groupe Danone. Products range from infant milk formula to specialised nutrition for babies with specific needs and for breastfeeding mothers. It also produces and markets special clinical nutrition, diet products and disease-specific nutrition. Its main brands are Nutricia, Milupa, Mellin, Cow & Gate, and Dumex.
The name, "NUMICO", is formed by NUtricia, MIlupa, COw & Gate.
Numico has three divisions:
The company's Dairy & Drinks division was sold to Friesland Coberco in March 2001, currently named Royal Friesland Foods. This division was well known for its brands Chocomel/Cécémel, Fristi, Nutroma and Extran which are all still in use by the new owner. This deal is part of Numico's strategy to concentrate on baby and clinical nutrition.
On 2007-07-09, a €12.3 billion offer for the company by French rival Danone was accepted by the Numico board. Danone announced ownership of over 90% of Numico's shares on 31 October 2007, declaring its offer for the remainder unconditional. As a result, Numico was removed from the AEX index. The company's shares were delisted from the Amsterdam Stock Exchange at the end of 2007 as Danone gained full control.
