Using the cases below, please help with notes on the following questions:
Bitter Competition: The Holland Sweetener Company versus NutraSweet (F)
Bitter Competition: The Holland Sweetener Company versus NutraSweet (G)
Case 1:
Required to do:
1. We see HSC gearing up quickly to enter the US market. Evidently the announcement of the Gravelines plant did not dissuade HSC from expanding. Any comments on HSC's actions?
2. How do you gauge the tone of the statement emanating from HSC?
Case 2:
Required to do
3. As HSC, how do you view the latest developments in the US market?
4. Why have Coke and Pepsi signed up again with NutraSweet, rather than waiting for HSC's extra capacity to come on stream?
5. What is going on in the tabletop segment?
a. NutraSweet is breaking the peace by going after Sweet 'N Low users. Is this a good move?
Final Questions
6. How effective as a strategist has NutraSweet been in the game as described in the case?
7. How effective as a strategist has HSC been?
8. What transformation in HSC thinking about NutraSweet's fight/accommodate decision in Europe/Canada can you observe?
9. How did this influence the HSC thinking about NutraSweet's fight/accommodate decision in the US?
10. Does HSC have to try to sell to Coke and Pepsi?