Nestlé boosts investment in Europe with new factory in the UK

Nestlé is continuing to invest in Europe with the inauguration of a new GBP 35 million (over CHF 49 million) water bottling facility in the United Kingdom.

The Nestlé Waters factory in the town of Buxton, which bottles Buxton natural mineral water and Nestlé Pure Life spring water, is the latest in a series of investments the company has made in Europe over the last two years.

These include an investment to transform its Product Technology Centre for confectionery in York, UK in 2012.

In the same year, Nestlé also invested CHF 54 million to extend its Purina factory in Hungary, CHF 300 million to build a new Nespresso factory in Switzerland, and CHF 265 million in a new Nescafé Dolce Gusto factory in Germany.

Healthy hydration

“The Buxton factory is an excellent example of how we are continuing to invest in Europe despite tough economic conditions,” said Paul Bulcke, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer, at the opening event in Buxton.

“This factory will contribute to accelerate the development of our bottled water activities and illustrates our capacity for innovation in production facilities via an approach that combines strong and sustainable production efficiency with outstanding environmental performances,” he continued.

Mr Bulcke added that bottled water plays an important role in Nestlé’s nutrition, health and wellness strategy emphasising that water should be the preferred healthy hydration option and is an important factor against the growing problem of obesity.

Generate economic growth

At the event Mr Bulcke was joined by Lord de Mauley, Environment Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK.

“Investments like this in our food and drink industry help generate economic growth and create more jobs,” said Lord de Mauley.

“This investment will ensure Buxton remains the home of Nestlé Waters’ bottling facilities long into the future, which is good news for the local community, the economy and the environment,” he added.

John J. Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Waters; and Paolo Sangiorgi, Managing Director of Nestlé Waters UK, also attended.

Environmental impact

The new factory is reducing its environmental impact in a number of ways including cutting energy use and the amount of packaging it uses.

For example, Nestlé Waters bottled water products are manufactured using an average of 25% less PET plastic across its range, compared to previous products.

The factory’s heat recovery system is recycling energy from the production process to help heat the warehouse and offices at the site.

A new drainage system is also helping to sustainably manage rainwater.

Accreditation

The new factory has already been awarded an ‘excellent’ rating by BREEAM, an independent assessment organisation for sustainable buildings in the UK.

In addition, the facility’s ‘zero waste to landfill’ accreditation recognises Nestlé Waters’ efforts to eliminate waste from the factory to landfill.

Investing in the United Kingdom

The new factory is Nestlé’s most recent multi-million pound investment in the UK.

The company invested GBP 40 million over the past few years to create a European centre of excellence for Nescafé Cappuccino in Cumbria.

Last year, Nestlé also announced a GBP 310 million investment in its coffee manufacturing business in Tutbury, Derbyshire, creating 425 new jobs.