FDBusiness.com

Nestle is strengthening its production capacity in Europe, investing more than SFr54 million (Eu45 million) to extend its Purina pet food factory in Hungary. The extension to the factory in the town of Buk will create about 150 new jobs by the end of 2012.

Nestle’s latest investment in the factory is part of its long-term commitment to developing its European operations. Earlier this year the company invested over SFr265 million in a new Nescafe Dolce Gusto factory in Germany, while in Switzerland it invested SFr300 million in a new Nespresso factory, creating 400 direct jobs.

The new factory extension will be equipped with four new production lines to double its manufacturing capacity of Nestle Purina pouch pet food brands such as Felix and Friskies. It also produces dry and canned Purina pet food such as Darling, Felix, Friskies and Dog Chow to meet the growing demand for the company’s pet care brands in Central and Eastern Europe.

The new factory extension aims to be operational by March 2013. It follows a SFr45 million in a factory extension in 2011 to open four new production lines and increase the number of employees to 600 people.

Nestle began manufacturing products such as Maggi in Hungary in 1974. Today it operates four factories and employs over 1,750 people. The company bought the Buk pet food factory in 1998 to produce Purina pet food products.

In Hungary, Nestle uses chocolate from the UK to make its After Eight and Kit Kat hollow chocolate products at its site in Diosgyor. Nestle coffee and powdered beverages including Nescafe and Nesquik are produced in Szerencs for export to other European markets. Nestle Aquarel and Theodora bottled mineral and spring water brands are manufactured in the village of Kekkut.