FDBusiness.com

Nestle Purina continues to strengthen its pet food brands worldwide with an investment of about SFr15 million (Eur12 million) at its factory in Santo Tome, Argentina. The investment, which has increased production capacity by 50% and created 250 direct and indirect jobs, is the latest the company has made to expand its global manufacturing operations this year.

In May, Nestlé Purina announced it would invest more than SFr29 million in its factory in Australia, followed in August by an investment of more than SFr54 million in its factory in Hungary. The company is one of the world’s largest pet food manufacturers, with global sales of more than SFr13 billion in 2010.

Nestlé Purina’s investment in the factory in Argentina has added a third production line for dry food for cats and dogs, as well as two new packaging lines. It is part of a wider expansion programme the company began in 2010 to improve the Santo Tome site.

Nestlé has been present in Argentina for more than 80 years. The company’s headquarters are located in Buenos Aires. It operates seven factories across the country and employs a total of more than 1,900 people.

Nestlé brands in Argentina include Nescafé coffee, Nido milk powder, Nestum infant cereals, Maggi culinary products, Trix breakfast cereals, Nespresso premium portioned coffee, Frigor ice cream and Eco de los Andes bottled water.

The range of Nestlé Purina pet food available in Argentina includes Dog Chow, Cat Chow, Pro Plan, Friskies, Dogui and Gati.