We all have fond memories with at least one Nestlé product. Whether it was enjoying a glass of Nesquik as a child, having a break with a Kit-Kat or watching the popular ‘It’s not inside it’s on top’ Cremora commercial.

On Tuesday, April 19 all roads led to the Nestlé factory in Harding Street for the official launch of its instant coffee manufacturing plant (Egron 5) in Estcourt after a R1.2 billion investment into the expansion of the factory. This investment forms a part of the company’s R2.9 billion foreign direct investment in the last five years. The newly launched coffee hub will export the product to the rest of the continent. Coupled with the investment launch, the 150-year-old Swiss company celebrated 100 years of doing business in South Africa.

The proudly South African organisation had humble beginnings in a small town in Switzerland, called Vevey, where it is still headquartered. Henry Nestlé, a pharmacist formed the company in 1866, when he created a milk-based cereal, which reduced the high child mortality rates.

For a century, not only have they delighted consumers with good food but also run a sustainable business, created sustainable employment and enabled the creation of other companies since 1876 when the first Nestlé product reached South Africa.

King Goodwill Zwelithini, Umtshezi Mayor Bongani Dlamini, Deputy Mayor Bhekithemba Dlamini, Speaker Cesar Nunes, District Mayor Dudu Mazibuko and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Bheki Cele, as well as Swiss ambassador Helene Budliger were among the dignitaries that attended the event hosted by the well-known brand; identified by the bird and nest, as it celebrated a remarkable milestone.

“The expansion in SA included the construction of a waste water treatment plant‚ the new coffee plant‚ the new coffee processing plant‚ the upgrading of the existing coffee processing and the installation of a state of the art coffee drying plant,” said Ravi Pally from Nestlé SA.

Mr Pillay said Nestlé has also benefited from government through the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme‚ meant to drive growth‚ promote competitiveness and retain jobs.

He added that the company spends R6 billion per annum on local procurement and has employed 6 000 people‚ buys from 227 farmers‚ has eight factory facilities and 95 percent of products are locally manufactured.
“This is the right thing to do to uplift rural communities and create jobs,” said King Zwelithini.