Nestlé celebrates another investment milestone with new UHT milk plant

Saturday, 31 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nestlé on Thursday opened a new UHT milk plant at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kurunegala, marking the third phase of its investment commitment of Rs. 10 billion in Sri Lanka over the next few years.

The new plant is an extension of Nestlé Lanka’s current processing facilities and, together with their malt beverages plant in 2011 and noodle plant in early 2012, accounts for almost Rs. 3 billion of their total Rs. 10 billion investment commitment to the country. Nestlé’s new UHT milk plant will further expand the company’s capacity for its popular dairy based beverages.

Nestlé is Sri Lanka’s largest collector of fresh milk in the private sector, procuring milk from over 15,000 farmers every day across the island. In 2009 Nestlé embarked on an intensive dairy development drive, with a special focus on the previously conflict-affected north and east areas of the country.

In addition to significant training and development initiatives with local dairy farmers, Nestlé has opened many milk collection points and milk chilling centres across the country to provide farmers easier access to store and sell their milk – actively helping Sri Lanka develop the local dairy industry and attain self sufficiency in domestic dairy production.

“I am pleased to witness Nestlé’s strong and continued commitment to the development of Sri Lanka. The new UHT milk plant opened today will provide job opportunities and steady income for many members of the community and reflects our recognition of the positive potential of Sri Lanka. Although Nestlé is a leading global company, our priority is to be an integral part of the local communities in which we operate. In many of them, like in Sri Lanka, we have been present for more than 100 years. Nestlé is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka and is committed to support the country for mutual growth and development,” said Nandu Nandkishore, Executive Vice President Nestlé S.A. and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East at the inauguration.

Nestlé’s UHT milk plant was inaugurated by Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, who presided at the event as Chief Guest in the presence of Minister of Commerce and Industry Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Environment Anura. P. Yapa, Chief Minister – North Western Province Athula Wijesinghe and Ambassador of Switzerland in Sri Lanka Thomas Litscher.

Nestlé Lanka Managing Director Alois Hofbauer said: “Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kurunegala currently manufactures over 90% of our products sold locally. Our dairy based beverages like Milo, Nestomalt, Nespray and Milkmaid are Sri Lankan household favourites, and with increased local procurement and manufacturing capacities, we will be able to delight consumers with many more exciting new products. Our latest investment will have a ripple effect across the local community by helping us positively impact many suppliers and farmers in the country.”