Food and drinks manufacturer, Nestlé, announced today that it is investing £110m in its Tutbury site in Derbyshire, creating 300 new jobs in the area.
The investment will extend the Nescafé Dolce Gusto plant, trebling its production capacity. Twelve new high speed production lines will be introduced in a new extension which will manufacture pods, the milk and coffee inserts for its Dolce Gusto “coffee shop coffee at home” machines. The pods are for sale in the UK and export to over 38 countries around the world.
The factory’s workforce has grown from 160 to 500 employees since 2006 and will expand to 800 people by 2013. Some of the 300 new employees will become part of the first intake into the Nestlé Academy, a new initiative under which Nestlé UK & Ireland has committed to double its number of graduates, apprentices and internships. A spokesperson for Nestlé UK & Ireland told The Manufacturer: “This year our graduate intake was 52, which will increase to 100 this year.”
Paul Grimwood, chairman and chief executive officer at Nestlé UK & Ireland said: “In order to grow we need to innovate and we are committed to the continued modernisation of our UK manufacturing capability. Recruiting the best people for our business is the key to our continued success.”
Mr Grimwood added: “Through the Nestlé Academy we will double our number of apprentices, graduates and internships, supporting the economy through the training of skilled workers. We will also provide on the job training which will open academic study to those who otherwise might not feel this is a route open to them.”
Welcoming the announcement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This new investment by Nestlé and the jobs it will create is brilliant news for UK manufacturing and for the local community. This demonstrates what can be achieved by investing in capacity and people.
The Prime Minister continued: “The jobs created by this new investment will benefit both skilled workers and those leaving school who will be able to train in the workplace, becoming the skilled workers of the future.”
“Manufacturing is crucial to the new economy we are building – an economy where we’re making and selling the products the world wants to buy,” said Mr Cameron. “This investment shows the confidence that there is in the UK, it is clear that we have got a great manufacturing future.”
Tutbury is one of only two production centres for Nescafé Dolce Gusto in the world. The product’s current growth is around 50% with recruitment already underway for the new positions at the Tutbury factory.
Tom Moore