FDBusiness.com

Nestle has opened a new pet food factory extension in Hungary producing Purina brands such as Felix, Friskies and Gourmet. With an investment of over SFr45m (Eur38m), the 10,000 sq m factory extension – equipped with four new production lines and new pouch-packaging technology – now forms part of the manufacturing factory site in the Hungarian town of Buk.

The company’s investment has reaffirmed its presence in Europe and looks set to enhance its drive to meet the growing demand for Purina PetCare brands in Central and Eastern Europe. The investment has also created more than 200 additional jobs, boosting the number of employees to 600 people.

“We have been operating in Hungary for more than 20 years. The Central and Eastern Europe region is a very important part of our business and this investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to business sustainability and economic development in this region,” comments Laurent Freixe, Nestle executive vice president and zone director for Europe.

In Europe, Nestle Purina PetCare is present in 35 countries, operates 14 factories and employs around 5,300 people.

Nestle began manufacturing products in Hungary in 1974, where it now operates four factories and employs around 1,650 people. In addition to producing pet food in Buk, a factory in Diosgyor manufactures chocolate brands including After Eight and Kit Kat. The Company also produces powdered beverages including Nescafe and Nesquik for European markets in the Hungarian town of Szerencs. Furthermore, its bottled mineral and spring water brands Nestle Aquarel and Theodora are manufactured in the village of Kekkut.