Nestle: creating over 450 new jobs in Germany

Vevey / CH. (nsa) Swiss Nestle Group is strengthening one of its fastest growing businesses in Europe with a 220 million EUR (over 265 million CHF) investment. The company is set to build a new Nescafe Dolce Gusto factory in Germany, the largest market for the brand worldwide. Nescafe Dolce Gusto is Nestle´s machine and capsule «coffee shop experience-at-home» system for both hot and cold drinks. It offers nearly 30 coffee, Nesquik and Nestea varieties. The factory, located in Schwerin, will create 450 jobs. With twelve new production lines, it will become operational by the end of 2013. Located about 100 kilometres from Hamburg, the biggest European port for coffee imports, the factory aims to produce about two billion coffee capsules a year for export to the rest of Germany, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

Fastest growing businesses

Nestle made the announcement at an official ceremony at the Schwerin site. Erwin Sellering, German Minister for the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, attended the event, along with Laurent Freixe, Nestle´s Zone Director for Europe, and Gerhard Berssenbrügge, Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Germany. «This is one of our biggest investments in Europe and highlights our continuous investment in our capacity for innovation», said Freixe. «Nescafe Dolce Gusto is the leader in the portioned coffee market in 20 countries. With a growth rate of over 50 percent, it is one of the fastest growing businesses for Nestle in Europe», he added.

Growth in Europe

The Schwerin site is the company´s third Nescafe Dolce Gusto factory. Last year, Nestle invested 64 million CHF in the Nescafe Dolce Gusto site at its Nescafe factory in Girona, near Barcelona, Spain. The company´s first Nescafe Dolce Gusto factory, which opened in 2006 in Tutbury in the United Kingdom, is already running at full capacity. Last year Nestle invested 110 million GBP in the site to triple production.

Investing in Germany

The Schwerin factory is Nestle´s latest investment in Germany – the company´s fourth largest market globally. Last year the company opened a new 117 million EUR factory in Biessenhofen dedicated to producing hypoallergenic infant formula. Nestle invested 35 million EUR to extend its Erlenbacher frozen baked cakes and desserts factory in Erlenbacher. The company also invested 45 million EUR to expand its Wagner pizza factory in the city of Otzenhausen. «Our establishment of this new factory reflects more than just an important investment to expand our business. It illustrates deep trust in the country where we have had successful operations for over 110 years», Freixe added.

Renewable energy

In the company´s continued effort to construct more environmentally friendly buildings worldwide, the Scherwin factory will seek leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto worldwide

Launched in 2006 in Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom, Nescafe Dolce Gusto is now available in 56 countries worldwide, with 41 of these countries in Europe. By 2013 the brand aims to generate sales of one billion CHF.