Yoplait
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Yoplait (pronounced yo-play) is a company owned by two French holdings, SODIAAL and PAI Management, and is the second best selling brand in dairy products.
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[edit] History
In 1964, over 100,000 French farmers merged their regional dairy co-operatives in order to sell their product on a national level. In 1965, two of these co-ops, "Yola" and "Coplait", decided to merge, becoming "Yoplait". The logo they chose was a six-petalled flower, each petal representing one of the six main co-operatives that founded the company.
The development of this brand was based on the dynamicism of local entrepreneurs, to which the brand is franchised. In 1969, the first franchise was allowed in Switzerland. Yoplait is now present in almost 50 countries in the world. In the United States, General Mills is the sole franchisee.
In 2002, SODIAAL, a group of dairy co-operatives sold 50% of the firm to PAI Management, a private equity fund.
[edit] Innovations and milestones
- 1964 - Yoplait becomes the first yogurt to be sold in a disposable container.
- 1967 - Yoplait becomes one of the first yogurts to incorporate fresh fruit in the recipe.
- 1974 - Yoplait creates "Yop", one of the first drinkable yogurts.
[edit] Organization
Yoplait brands are sold by franchisees around the world:
In the United States, General Mills is a franchisee of this brand of pre-stirred yogurt. Products are available in a variety of fruit-based flavours that comes in a nearly cylindrical container sealed with an aluminum foil top. The yogurt is described on its company's homepage as being: "delicious blended creaminess." Another tagline, used in an early 1990s TV ad campaign asked consumers, "Why dip a spoon into anything less?"
In Canada, Ultima Foods is the franchisee of the brand name of pre-stirred yogurt. Brands include: Minigo, Tubes, Source, Creamy, Delicieux, Yop, Yoplait Basket, Spring Valley and Yoptimal.
In the United Kingdom the Yoplait brand is used by Yoplait Dairy Crest which is a joint venture between UK dairy company Dairy Crest and Yoplait. The Company is 49% owned by Dairy Crest and 51% by Yoplait. Yoplait Dairy Crest is based in Dairy Crest's head office Claygate House in Surrey United Kingdom.
In Mexico the Yoplait brand is managed by Sigma Alimentos.
[edit] Yoplait's community involvement
In the U.S., Yoplait participates in an annual program called "Save Lids to Save Lives" to raise money for breast cancer research. Yoplait donates ten cents per foil lid that is mailed to the company. This money is donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, until the maximum donation of 1.2 million dollars is reached.
In addition to this, Yoplait has been the primary sponsor of Race for the Cure, a marathon held to raise additional research money, since 2001.
[edit] The skunk scandal
In response to protests from PETA, the American franchise of Yoplait added a rim on the bottom of the yogurt container. The reason is that the former container design was just large enough to allow a skunk's head to enter the tapered top of the container. The head would then be trapped by the thick hair on the skunk's head, which would catch on the top inside rim of the container. Because the tapered container is the identifying feature of the Yoplait packaging, this aspect could not be changed. However, the bottom rim allows the skunk to push the container off its head with its feet, if it gets caught. Additionally, the container was changed to say, "Protect Wildlife: Crush Cup Before Disposal." This refers obliquely (and tactfully, as skunks are seen as somewhat unpleasant creatures due to their odor) to skunks, whose heads are the size and shape required to be caught in the container.
Please note that most of the following product information applies to the U.S. only.
[edit] List of available flavours of Yoplait Yogurt
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[edit] List of all Yoplait Yogurt Flavours
Please note that many of these flavours are not made anymore.
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[edit] Trix Yogurt
Trix Yogurt is a yogurt with unique flavours marketed to kids.
[edit] See also
- Danone (known in the U.S. as Dannon), another popular yogurt brand.
