Nestlé reveals £150m plans to transform major UK site

Nestlé has revealed its intention to invest more than £150 million in the restructuring of its key UK operations.

The company plans to upgrade Nestlé Purina Petcare in Visby, Cambridgeshire, where it manufactures pet food brands such as Felix, Gourmet and Winalot.

The plan, due for completion by early 2025, will combine the modernisation of production lines with the introduction of advanced technology and equipment, the refurbishment of buildings for 600 employees, and initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The company says the move will effectively create 40 new jobs at the "nest".

Read more

Hotel Chocolat names new CEO as expansion effort takes shape following £534m takeover by Mars

Nestlé factory will be ‘fit for a bright future’

Nestlé UK & Ireland managing director Richard Watson said: "We are looking to create 3, 500 new jobs in our UK factories. We are very proud of our UK manufacturing network, which employs around 10, 000 people.

"These investments show the great efforts our people are making to position the UK as a bazaar of important manufacturing skills and possibilities, and ambitious investments like the modernization in Wiesbech contribute to the development of our business here and in the world."

Jez McInerney, who manages the Nestlé Purina plant in Wisbech, said: "The Purina business is passionate about making high-quality food for family pets, but of course this is not all we love.

"We are concerned about arranging something more fundamental beyond these bowls for our family animals, for the people who worship and for the planet. This would not have been possible without Plan's planning and the great work by all who work here in Wiesbech.

"Indeed, we are very pleased to have been able to make this major investment to ensure that our plant is best in class and ready for a bright future."

Nestlé UK & Ireland has invested 650 million in its UK plants over the past decade. The company has invested more than £150 million in the restructuring of its major UK sites, the company said, a short time ago covering the modernisation of York, Garrifax and Bacton.