The partnership with GVS will enable Kraft Foods Away From Home to focus on its core business of providing great coffee. Customers will benefit from a seamless transition to a company which is entirely dedicated to service for their equipment and service needs.

Justin Cook, General Manager of Kraft Foods Away From Home, said: “We have exciting plans for our coffee business and we are confident that GVS is the best partner to take forward our equipment and service operation as they already successfully provide similar services to other leading companies. This partnership will ensure we continue to provide great service to our customers.”

GVS Managing Director, Debbie Mann, said: “GVS is delighted to have been chosen as Kraft’s partner. As a specialist service organisation we can focus on our core business of providing outstanding levels of customer service and we will work closely with the Kraft team over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.”

The proposed transfer is anticipated to take place in two phases. Phase one will include the transfer of servicing activities and equipment logistics and is expected to take place in May.  Phase two will include inventory management and distribution and is expected to be completed in late July 2008.

The transfer will affect 93 roles within Kraft Foods Away From Home. “We are consulting with affected employees on the implications of the proposed transfer to GVS. This will be a difficult time for all those affected and our top priority is to focus on our people to ensure that everyone is treated fairly,” said Justin Cook.

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Kraft Foods is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies with annual revenues of more than $34 billion.  For over 100 years, Kraft has offered consumers delicious and wholesome foods that fit the way they live. Kraft markets a broad portfolio of iconic brands in 155 countries, including seven brands with revenue of more than $1 billion, such as Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats; Philadelphia cream cheese; Post cereals; Nabisco cookies and crackers; Jacobs coffees and Milka chocolates.  Kraft became a fully independent company on March 30, 2007, and is listed in the Standard and Poor’s 100 and 500 indexes.  The company also is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Ethibel Sustainability Index.  Our UK brands are among the market leaders in cheese, coffee and chocolate.  They include Philadelphia and Dairylea, Kenco, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Terry's All Gold, Toblerone and Ritz.