Nestlé Australia has unveiled the final stage of a substantial three year project to expand the production capabilities of its factory at Smithtown on the NSW mid north coast that includes new facilities to house state-of-the-art technology, the first of its kind in Australia.
Over the last three years, around $53 million has been invested into the factory with a large majority of those funds allocated to bring production of Nescafé Café Menu permanently to Smithtown, following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in South Korea in 2010.
The investment has created nearly 25 full time positions since 2011.
According to Nestlé Australia’s Business Executive Manager – Beverages, Evan Gongolidis, the expansion had seen the creation of a permanent home for Nescafé Café Menu.
“The decision to create this substantial investment and a long term vision for our business in Smithtown is a tribute to the region, its residents and the local economy,” Mr Gongolidis said.
State Member for Oxley, Mr Andrew Stoner, said Nestlé had continued to show confidence in the Macleay Valley and Mid North Coast with its ongoing investment at the Smithtown factory.
“Nestlé is not only one of the biggest employers in the area but has also been in Smithtown for more than 90 years – with many more to come,” he said.
The factory has operated at Smithtown since 1921 and is the birthplace of Milo, the iconic milk drink that has been produced at the factory ever since. The factory also manufactures Nesquik and Nestle Malted Milk.
This latest Nestle investment follows a $65 million upgrade to the Nestlé Purina PetCare site in the NSW central west town of Blayney, extending the capabilities of the plant and creating around 100 additional full time jobs.