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Nestlé opens first research and development centre in India

Nestlé products on sale in India
AFFORDABLE NUTRITION: The centre will develop products for lower income consumers.

Nestlé is opening its first research and development centre in India to further its understanding of Indian consumers, traditional ingredients and local cuisine, and to provide scientific and technological expertise to the rest of its global business.

The centre, which will specialise in Asian noodles and Indian cooking, will focus on developing highly nutritious, affordable products in appropriate serving sizes for lower income consumers.

Researchers will gain expertise in the use of local ingredients and culinary traditions – work Nestlé expects to be a source of new ideas for products.

The company has invested CHF 50 million in the centre, which is located in Manesar close to Nestlé India’s headquarters in Gurgaon.

Important insights

“Our R&D centre in India will help us gain important insights into local consumers’ eating habits and taste preferences, as well as greater expertise in using and processing local ingredients to develop products for India and beyond,” said Paul Bulcke, Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer, at the inauguration event.

“As with all Nestlé’s R&D centres, it will be part of our worldwide R&D network, enabling us to acquire local knowledge and use it on a global scale,” Mr Bulcke added

R&D India will work closely with our other R&D facilities across the world, contributing to our existing knowledge base, and providing new opportunities for innovation and for the growth of our business,” explained Johannes Baensch, Nestlé’s Global Head of Research and Development.

It will also nurture local talent. Nestlé will recruit the majority of employees from the excellent pool of talented science and engineering graduates in this region.

“They will be part of our global workforce, sharing knowledge with their colleagues worldwide, and have opportunities to work with our R&D operations in other countries,” he added.

Emerging markets

Nestlé’s investment in India reflects its long-term commitment to strengthening its R&D capability in emerging markets.

Last month the company announced plans to increase the number of R&D facilities it has in China from two to four by 2013.

In total, Nestlé has 32 research and development centres worldwide.

Extend product range

With its new R&D centre in India, Nestlé aims to extend the range of mainstream products it currently offers consumers in the country, particularly in the noodles, cereal, beverage and dairy categories.

The centre will be a source of the latest technological know-how in food processing and manufacturing. It will also provide expertise in extrusion – a process used to give certain foods a specific shape or texture – and in consumer science.

It will develop scientific collaborations with local universities and research institutes in India to strengthen Nestlé’s existing knowledge base and to accelerate innovation.

 
Opening ceremony
OPENING CEREMONY: Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke (left) shakes hands with Tariq Anwar, India's Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industry (right).

“Nestlé has been in India for 100 years and has used its global R&D expertise and knowledge of nutrition to develop products that we all love,” said Tariq Anwar, Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industry.

“I am very happy that Nestlé has now brought its R&D activity even closer to us by setting up a state-of-the-art research centre in Manesar. I am confident that such initiatives will help to develop nutritious and tasty products that will benefit consumers irrespective of their income levels.

“I am also hopeful that Nestlé’s R&D centre in India will improve the exchange of scientific knowledge and accelerate the development of these skills amongst promising talent in India,” the Minister added.

Nestlé in India

Nestlé celebrates its 100th anniversary in India this year. The company’s sales agents first started work in Chennai and Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1912.

Today, Nestlé directly employs 7,000 people in the country.

Its products are sold in around four million outlets across India, including brands such as Maggi, Nescafé and Kit Kat.

Related information:
Nestlé India website
Research and development at Nestlé

Read more stories about Nestlé’s global R&D network:
Ceremony marks official opening of the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences
Nestlé strengthens research and development capability in China
Nestlé steps up its research and development in Switzerland

 
 

Nestlé invests in India to boost production capacity and create jobs

Nestlé Factory Extension
FACTORY EXTENSION: Jean-Marc Duvoisin, left, with Antonio Helio Waszyk, far right, at the inauguration.

A new Nestlé investment in India will increase the company’s production capacity in one of the fastest growing emerging markets worldwide.

The factory extension at Nestlé’s existing site in Ponda, Goa – part of the company’s 7 billion Indian Rupee (over CHF 121 million) investment in the state over the past three years – will produce brand favourites such as Kit Kat and Munch

It will create employment for nearly 250 people.

“Deep roots”

“We have been in India for 100 years and have factories in eight locations across the country,” said Jean-Marc Duvoisin, Global Head of Human Resources at Nestlé. “India is important for us and we have deep roots here.

“Our decision to invest in a new manufacturing facility in Ponda is a clear indication that we have confidence in the region and its environment,” he added.

Mr Duvoisin was joined by Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, and Antonio Helio Waszyk, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, at the inauguration event.

“The decision to invest in our chocolate and confectionery business in India will strengthen our competitive advantage and create value for everyone,” said Mr Waszyk.

Investing in India

In recent years Nestlé has invested billions of Indian Rupees to increase capacity, set up new factories and modernise and expand existing ones in India.

This includes a new manufacturing site in Nanjangud in Karnataka producing Maggi sauces, noodles, bouillons and seasoning, and a new factory in Tahliwal, Himachal Pradesh, which will manufacture Maggi noodles as well as chocolate and confectionery products.

Nestlé in India

Nestlé India’s first manufacturing facility was set up in 1961 in Moga, Punjab, to help develop milk production in the region.

The company has since developed the area around the Moga factory, setting up milk collection points and training farmers to improve productivity and quality.

Nestlé in India offers consumers brands such as Maggi, Nescafé, Nestlé Actiplus Dahi, Milkmaid and Nestea.

 

Related information:
Nestlé India website

Read more about Nestlé in India:
Nestlé highlights climate change with ‘Science Express’ in India
Nestlé celebrates 100 years in India
Nestlé supports coffee farmers in India as demand for Nescafé grows

 
 

Moga Factory Commemorates 50 Years of Partnership With Milk Farmers

Nestlé events  

November 22, 2011

Farmers Day was held on 22nd of November, 2011, in celebration of 50 years of milk collection from the Moga district.

The event was held to thank farmers for their trust and partnership over the years and to assure them of Nestlé’s commitment in the future.

Justice Mehtab Singh Gill (Retired), Former Acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. S. Inderjit Singh, Director for Dairy Development, Punjab, and Mr. T.S. Sandhu, Retired Head of Agricultural Services, Moga Factory were the Guests of Honour and spoke to farmers regarding Nestlé’s beginnings in Moga and the strong relationship established over the years.

Farmers Day Celebration  

Nestlé officials Mr. Sanjay Khajuria, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Anil Sharma, Head of Milk Sourcing, Factory Manager, Moga Factory and Dr. B.S. Bhullar, Senior Manager, Agricultural Services were present at the occasion and felicitated over a thousand farmers for their association with Nestlé India.



 
 

Announcement of call for nominations - 2012

Nominations 2012

February 11, 2011

Announcement of call for nominations - 2012 Global Nestlé Prize for CSV and Launch of the South Asia Region CSV Publication