Hitachi vs Nestlé: Founders, CEOs and History
Hitachi was founded in 1910 by Namihei Odaira and is led by Toshiaki Tokunaga. Nestlé was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé, Charles Page, George Page and is led by Philipp Navratil.
Company facts
Founders
Hitachi
Namihei Odaira
Hitachi possesses a historic, foundational founding story, rooted in the industrialization of early 20th-century Japan and driven by a nationalist obsession with technological independence.
Nestlé
Henri Nestlé
Henri Nestlé (1814-1890) developed Farine Lactée in 1867, a milk-and-cereal infant food for babies who could not be breastfed. Its success gave the company his name and nest logo. He sold the business in 1875.
Charles Page
Charles Page (1838-1873) was an American diplomat who recognized the potential for producing high-quality condensed milk utilizing Switzerland's abundant fresh milk supply. In 1866, he co-founded the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company with his brother George.
George Page
George Page co-founded the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company in 1866 and led it as it grew in Europe, selling condensed milk under the Milkmaid brand. He died in 1899, before the 1905 merger with Nestlé.
CEOs and their tenures
Hitachi
- Toshiaki Higashihara2016–2022
Former President and Chief Executive Officer
Shifted Hitachi from a sprawling conglomerate toward infrastructure and digital businesses.
Source - Keiji Kojima2022–2025
Executive Chairman (CEO 2022-2025)
Finished much of the portfolio cleanup and handed over a more focused group to Tokunaga.
Source - Toshiaki Tokunaga2025–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Brings an energy and rail background to the top job as Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Rail drive more of the group's growth.
Source
Nestlé
- Peter Brabeck-Letmathe1997–2008
Chief Executive Officer
Under Brabeck-Letmathe Nestle expanded in pet care, ice cream and baby food and became more focused on nutrition and health. He became chairman in 2005 and stayed in that role until 2017.
Source - Paul Bulcke2008–2016
Chief Executive Officer
During his tenure Nestle grew its nutrition and health-science businesses and strengthened its position in emerging markets. He handed the chief executive role to Ulf Mark Schneider in 2017 and became chairman.
Source - Mark Schneider2017–2024
Chief Executive Officer
Under Schneider Nestle focused its portfolio on coffee, pet care, nutrition and health science, and sold water, skin-care and confectionery assets. The board replaced him in 2024 and Laurent Freixe took over.
Source - Laurent Freixe2024–2025
Former Chief Executive Officer
Served as CEO before the board appointed Philipp Navratil in September 2025.
Source - Philipp Navratil2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CEO on September 1, 2025 and tasked with accelerating execution, efficiency, and the existing strategic direction.
Source
Timeline: Hitachi and Nestlé side by side
1866Nestlé
Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Origins
Henri Nestlé develops infant nutrition products while Charles and George Page found Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company.
1905Nestlé
Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Merge
The merger creates the foundation of the modern Nestlé group.
1910Hitachi
Founding and First Induction Motor
Namihei Odaira establishes the machinery repair shop that becomes Hitachi, and develops Japan's first 5-horsepower induction motor, establishing the foundation for the company's dominance in electrical engineering.
1932Hitachi
Expansion into Railway Technology
Hitachi begins manufacturing electric locomotives and rail signaling systems, establishing a deep, institutionalized relationship with the Japanese national railway network that would evolve into the modern Hitachi Rail division.
1938Nestlé
Nescafé Launches
Nestlé launches Nescafé, one of the company's defining global brands.
1959Hitachi
Entry into Computing and Electronics
Hitachi develops its first electronic computer, the HITAC, marking the company's strategic entry into the information technology sector and laying the groundwork for its future digital systems business.
1985Nestlé
Acquired Carnation
Nestlé acquired Carnation. Expanded Nestlé in dairy, coffee creamers, and pet food.
2001Nestlé
Ralston Purina Acquisition
Nestlé acquires Ralston Purina, transforming its pet care business.
2007Nestlé
Acquired Gerber
Nestlé acquired Gerber.
2016Hitachi
Toshiaki Higashihara becomes CEO
Toshiaki Higashihara became CEO of Hitachi in 2016. Shifted Hitachi from a sprawling conglomerate toward infrastructure and digital businesses.
2018Nestlé
Starbucks Global Consumer Products License
Nestlé obtains rights to market Starbucks-branded consumer packaged goods and food-service products outside Starbucks stores.
2020Hitachi
Acquisition of ABB's Power Grids Business
Hitachi executes the $11 billion acquisition of ABB's Power Grids business, renaming it Hitachi Energy and instantly establishing the company as the global leader in HVDC transmission and grid infrastructure.
2021Hitachi
Acquisition of GlobalLogic
The company acquires the global digital engineering firm GlobalLogic for $9.6 billion, instantly establishing Hitachi as a top-tier provider of advanced software and product design services for the automotive and telecommunications sectors.
2022Hitachi
Hitachi Construction Machinery Stake Sale
Hitachi sold a controlling stake in Hitachi Construction Machinery to Itochu and Japan Industrial Partners, part of its exit from cyclical listed subsidiaries.
2024Hitachi
Acquired Thales Ground Transportation Systems
Hitachi acquired Thales Ground Transportation Systems. Hitachi Rail completed its ~$1.88 billion (EUR 1.66 billion) acquisition of Thales's Ground Transportation Systems business, its rail signalling division, expanding Hitachi Rail to 51 countries and shiftin…
2025Hitachi
Toshiaki Tokunaga Becomes CEO
Toshiaki Tokunaga became President and CEO on April 1, 2025, succeeding Keiji Kojima, who became Executive Chairman.
2025Nestlé
Philipp Navratil Appointed CEO
Nestlé appoints Philipp Navratil CEO on September 1, 2025 following Laurent Freixe's departure.
2025Nestlé
Sales Reach CHF 89.5 Billion
Nestlé reports 2025 total sales of ~$107 billion (CHF 89.5 billion), net profit of ~$10.8 billion (CHF 9.0 billion), and UTOP margin of 16.1%.
2026Hitachi
Record Results and Home Appliance Sale
Hitachi reported record FY2025 profit in April 2026 and agreed to sell 80.1% of its home appliance business to Nojima for about $737 million (¥110 billion).
2026Nestlé
Peranel Waters Joint Venture Announced
Nestlé and Platinum Equity agree to create Peranel, a 50:50 joint venture for Nestlé's waters and premium beverages business.
Acquisitions
Hitachi
- Thales Ground Transportation Systems2024Undisclosed
- GlobalLogic2021Undisclosed
- ABB Power Grids2020Undisclosed
Nestlé
- Starbucks consumer-products license2018$7.2B
- Gerber2007$5.5B
- Ralston Purina2001$10.3B
- Carnation1985$3B
Questions about Hitachi vs Nestlé
Who is the CEO of Hitachi, Ltd. and Nestlé S.A.?
Hitachi, Ltd. is led by Toshiaki Tokunaga and Nestlé S.A. is led by Philipp Navratil. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Hitachi, Ltd. founded vs Nestlé S.A.?
Nestlé S.A. was founded in 1866 — 44 years before Hitachi, Ltd., which was founded in 1910. Nestlé S.A.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Hitachi, Ltd..
How many employees does Hitachi, Ltd. have compared to Nestlé S.A.?
Hitachi, Ltd. employs approximately 287,901 people, while Nestlé S.A. employs approximately 270,000. Hitachi, Ltd. has the larger workforce at 287,901 employees, compared to Nestlé S.A.'s 270,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Hitachi, Ltd. and Nestlé S.A. headquartered?
Hitachi, Ltd. is headquartered in Japan and Nestlé S.A. is headquartered in Switzerland. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Hitachi, Ltd. and Nestlé S.A.?
Hitachi, Ltd. was founded by Namihei Odaira. Nestlé S.A. was founded by Henri Nestlé, Charles Page, George Page.
Which company has a longer operating history — Hitachi, Ltd. or Nestlé S.A.?
Nestlé S.A. has been operating for approximately 160 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Hitachi, Ltd. has been in operation for around 116 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Hitachi vs Nestlé overview