FDBusiness.com

Nestle has reaffirmed its commitment to the Middle East by opening a new $136m manufacturing facility in Dubai to serve the Swiss food giant’s markets across the region. The 515,000 square foot facility, which currently employs 555 people, specialises in the manufacturing, canning and packaging of different Nestle brands including Nido powder milk, Kit Kat chocolate and Nestle Pure Life bottled water.

With the Middle East identified as a region with tremendous growth potential for Nestle, the company has made sufficient provision to expand the operations to meet growing market demands for the next few years.

“By opening our new facility in Dubai – our regional headquarters – we will be closer to our consumers in the region and can better adapt our products to their needs and preferences. The Middle East region is a very important part of the Nestle business and our continued commitment and ongoing investments demonstrate our confidence in the region,” points out Paul Bulcke, chief executive of Nestle.

Nestle Middle East has invested more than $400 million in the region since it was founded in 1997. The business currently owns and operates 17 factories and 37 offices, and employs more than 7,000 people. In 2009, the Nestle business in the region contributed around $1.4b to group turnover.