GGFBM Alum Idan Zu-Aretz, COO of SODASTREAM, talks about the company's acquisition by Pepsi
Idan Zu-Aretz, COO of SodaStream, is an MBA grad of the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management GGFBM in 2006. "PEPSI acquired the company, our vision, our DNA, our production capabilities of the company, the Israeli production capacity, and promises to maintain all of these."
Zu-Aretz explains that the company continues to operate as usual, and is even opening another large factory in the Negev at the Idan HaNegev Industrial Park near the city of Rahat, where SodaStream 's largest plant is located. Idan HaNegev Park is a partnership with the municipalities: Rahat, Bnei Shimon Regional Council and Lehavim Regional Council.
"It's like riding on a missile," he laughs, "this deal propels SodaStream and all its employees to even higher horizons."
SodaStream, as well known, is not a high-tech company, but Zu-Aretz explains that the approach of the company's leadership is that of a high-tech company on every level: treating every facet of work and manufacturing, and every worker as a hi-tech company, with a supportive and family environment and most importantly in excellence and social responsibility "and contribution to the Israeli economy," adds Zu-Aretz.
SodaStream employs 104 Palestinian workers, a large number of Bedouins and especially Bedouin women, Israeli Arabs from East Jerusalem and the entire country, new and veteran immigrants from all origins, and aims for coexistence and community relations among the Israeli population.
Prof. Miki Malul, GGFBM Dean is delighted with the words of Zu-Aretz: "As a graduate of the GGFBM, Idan is a model alum with values of leadership and social responsibility, which the GGFBM instills in all of our students."
Prior to joining SodaStream, Idan Zu-Aretz served in senior managerial and executive positions at Intel in Israel and abroad, and gained extensive experience in managing large-scale operations, managing industrial engineering, managing global recruitment and interdisciplinary roles, including mergers, acquisitions and integration, R & D sites around the world. Between 2013 and 2017, he held a number of special appointments, including the acquisition of the Micron Israel plant by Intel and was the manager of Intel's production center in Jerusalem. During his tenure at Intel, he worked as Deputy CEO of Maxine Fassberg, Intel CEO. Idan holds a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Ben-Gurion University. He is married and the father of four.
The Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management GGFBM at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is the most dynamic Faculty in Israel, with the widest range of degrees. The tools acquired, the interaction in innovative teaching with leading senior executives in the field, the relevant research environment, address the growing need for managers who are also leaders and who have a broad vision that conjoins management with social responsibility and the environment.
Meet more of our outstanding GGFBM Alumni who impact on society
