Nestle Extends Global Product Technology Centre For Confectionery
Nestle is enlarging its global Product Technology Centre for confectionery, based at York in the UK. Nestle Product Technology Centres have two roles. The first is to develop breakthrough technologies – building blocks that are the basis of new product development. New textures and flavours are created as well as improved nutritional profiles. The second is to deploy these technologies to the company’s operations.
They can be used in Nestle’s factories around the world to ensure its confectionery products are being produced in the safest and most effective way, while meeting the constantly changing needs of consumers. Young talent is recruited and trained at the centre inYork before being assigned to Nestle’s operations or its research and development centres.
At the centre, ideas for new products are developed and tested right through from processing raw ingredients such as cocoa, to manufacturing, to packaging. Teams of technologists, scientists, engineers, food chemists, confectioners, nutritionists and packaging specialists work to develop new chocolate products, as well as fruit and wafer-based confectionery products. They also work on different coatings and chocolate ingredients for ice cream products.
At the heart of the centre is a pilot plant, which will be extended as part of the investment programme. This is where Nestle confectionery specialists and engineers develop and test technologies, manufacturing processes and equipment before they are used in the company’s factories worldwide.
The company’s cutting-edge sensory testing facility for the tasting of prototypes and finished products, will also be extended.
The centre’s extension has been designed to minimise waste of materials such as water, carbon dioxide, and energy while maximising output. This will be done according to the principles of ‘lean construction’, a global standard for designing and constructing more efficient and environmentally sustainable production systems.
Following Nestle’s acquisition of York-based Rowntree Macktinosh in 1988, the city has played an important role in the company’s development and manufacture of confectionery products. Nestle’s York factory produces popular confectionery brands including Kit Kat, Aero, and Milky Bar.
