I Forgot I Ordered a Nestlé Corporate Biography!

I completely forgot that I ordered Nestlé 125 Years 1866-1991 by Jean Heer earlier this month when I mentioned I was looking at the firm for the first time in a while, and then later, buying a few shares for my family’s permanent holdings. When it showed up today, it was like Christmas in July!

Sure, the book is now 22 years out of date, but I can get most of 1991-Present from the annual reports available for free on the website. As far as corporate biography histories go, I’m excited because it details the transformation that took Nestlé from a single operating company to a holding company that would someday become the most profitable food business on the planet. (The book was originally published in 1966 for Nestlé’s 100 year anniversary. This version updated it for the 125th anniversary. I expect another update in a few years if they stick to the same quarter-century schedule.)

It’s 525 pages of investing goodness, detailing the journey from Henri Nestlé’s start-up that sold a baby food based on cereals and milk. I think I will go get a Nestlé chocolate bar from the grocery store tomorrow, make a Nespresso cappuccino, and start reading with a pen and highlighter in hand.

You can get used copies on Amazon for 1¢ or 2¢ as long as supplies last if you are willing to pay $3.99 in shipping. It’s an absolute steal.