I live in the South of Metro Manila and I feel so proud whenever there’s a new business development in the area.
The latest news that I’ve gathered is that Nestlé Philippines will invest 4.3 billion pesos over two years in a new facility on a 27-hectare site in Tanauan, Batangas.
The new Tanauan factory construction will start this month and the target of completion is on March 2012. It is expected to help spur economic growth in the area, would hire 170 people for the new facility, and generate hundreds of other jobs in other sectors providing the facility with raw materials and services.
According to John Miller, CEO and Nestlé Philippines Chairman, the facility will produce COFFEE-MATE Non-Dairy Creamer and BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink. Mr. Miller said that demand for the two brands, both of which are market category leaders, continues to grow and the investment in the new factory will address the need to increase production.
The Philippines is second biggest market after the United States for Coffeemate, which is currently imported from Thailand.
Nestle Philippines is also upgrading its equipment and technology in its four existing factories in the country, which are:
- The Cagayan de Oro Factory which manufactures NESCAFÉ and BEAR BRAND;
- The Cabuyao Factory which manufactures NIDO, NESVITA, NAN, NESTOGEN, BEAR BRAND Choco, NESTLÉ All Purpose Cream, Ready-to-Drink MILO, BEAR BRAND Sterilized, and CHUCKIE;
- The Lipa Factory which produces MILO and NESTLÉ Breakfast Cereals; and
- The recently commissioned Pulilan Factory, which manufactures NESTLÉ Ice Cream and Chilled products.
Nestlé has been in the Philippines as a part of everyday life of many Filipino people for 99 years already. The Company is the second largest taxpayer in the country and is among the country’s top six corporations. In 2009 Nestlé paid the government some PhP10.6 billion in taxes.
Mr. Miller told the reporters, “We are here to stay. We are investing here and we are investing big time,”. The chairman also added that, “The investment in the Tanauan factory starts a new chapter in Nestlé commitment to the country, as we look forward to the next 100 years of nurturing Filipino families by offering healthy and tasty products.”
