Nestle Nutrition: boosts infant formula production

Vevey / CH. (nsa) Swiss Nestle S.A. opened a new factory manufacturing child nutrition products in Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico, with an investment of 245 million USD. The 600’000 square meters state-of-the-art facility is expected to create an annual economic income of 1’600 million MXN and will create 250 new direct jobs and 1’250 indirect jobs. Additional 8’000 temporary jobs have been created during its construction. The factory bears the name «Nantli» which means mother in Nahuatl.

The official inauguration was attended by the Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto as guest of honor, together with the Secretary of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo; the Governor of Jalisco, Aristoteles Sandoval, and the Municipal President of Ocotlan, Paulo Hernandez. Top executives of Nestle also attended the event, including Laurent Freixe, Nestle Head of Zone Americas; Heiko Schipper, Global CEO of Nestle Nutrition, as well as Marcelo Melchior, CEO of Nestle Mexico.

«The opening of Nestle Nantli is a major global milestone for our company. It uses the most advanced technology for manufacturing the highest quality child nutrition products, such as NAN, Good Care, Good Start, Nidal and Nestogeno. The factory also gives a boost to local economy by purchasing 560 million litres of fresh milk and 365 million litres of whey per year from 400 milk manufacturers from the region», said Heiko Schipper.

Further to supplying Mexico, around 40 percent of production will be exported to Latin America, the Caribbean and other regions around the world. The new plant will triple the current production capacity in Mexico, supported by processes and patents owned by Nestle, which guarantee the highest standards of quality and safety for each product.

«Celebrating 150 years of the Company around the world, and our 86 years in Mexico, we are very pleased to open Nestle Nantli, specialized in child nutrition» said Laurent Freixe. «245 million USD is the biggest investment made by Nestle in Mexico in a single infrastructure project, which represents our commitment to the country, its people and to our consumers», he emphasized.

The factory is also built using environment-friendly technologies. 85 percent of the electricity will be wind powered and solar energy, as well as energy recovery technologies to take the most advantage of heat and water used in the factory. Also, 100 percent of residual water will be treated.