The American company "Heinz" this fall made an appearance in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. At the end of October, Russian media reported that a unit of the Russian Armed Forces

received a shipment of humanitarian aid consisting of products from the company. The shipment was delivered close to the frontline near Sudzha and included Heinz products such as canned goods, sauces, ketchup, as well as other food items and hygiene products.      

The publications noted that Russian military personnel expressed their gratitude to Heinz management for the humanitarian assistance. This information was supported by foto of the aid, published, among others, in particular on the website and video from the website of the official media of the Government of the Russian Federation - "Rossiyskaya Gazeta".

The military personnel expressed hope that humanitarian aid would continue to be provided on a regular basis by all foreign companies operating in Russia, for which Heinz would serve as an example. Heinz began supplying its ketchup to Russia in 1993, and in 2005, the Heinz Company acquired a controlling stake in the Russian holding company "Petrosoyuz."

Later, in 2009, it gained 100% ownership. Heinz owns the "Petroproduct-Otradnoye" plant, built in 2003 in the Leningrad region, which is the largest in its sector in Russia. Its 26 production lines produce 120,000 tons of products annually.      

On March 9, 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Heinz had ceased capital investments in Russia, as well as imports and exports of its products. However, it seems that production within Russia is still ongoing. The company "Aqua-Life," part of the "Chernogolovka" group, acquired the rights to Heinz baby food in March of this year.      

It seems the company has long-term development plans in Russia. Currently, the company's website presents three training programs for young Russians to work within the company: global production, international management, and an internship program.    

The program descriptions state: "For a training experience that’s beyond the ordinary - join the Russian cohort of our 12-month global management fast-track program in Moscow.

You will join an international class of ambitious trainees to learn directly from Kraft Heinz leaders, travel to all areas of our organization to see exactly how our iconic products are made, and have multiple opportunities to contribute directly to our business…Applications for our 2024 cohort open in September." Photo by Mil.ru, Wikimedia commons.