Under the investment boost, the Company will build a new factory in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, which is earmarked to produce culinary and coffee well-known brands including Nescafé 3-in-1 and Maggi. Other products offered under the dairy, beverages and some coffee categories will be tailored to respond to local market needs.
Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO, said: “Nestlé is committed to unlocking the business opportunities and to promote growth of our market in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the establishment of distribution centres and sales offices in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma in 2009, we have seen a remarkable growth, which we are now responding to by strengthening our presence.”
Mr Bulcke added: “By building a new factory in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we will come closer to our consumers and can better adapt our products to their taste and nutritional needs.”
By 2011, Nestlé will further strengthen its position in DRC by locally sourcing its raw materials for its culinary and coffee production. In addition, the number of Nestlé employees will expand to 300 people when the investment project concludes at the end of 2012.
Currently, Nestlé DRC offers brands including Nido, Nestlé Sweetened and Condensed Milk, Maggi, Nescafé, Nesquik, Milo, Cerelac and Nan, sourced from other Nestlé markets.
The DRC is under the Nestlé Equatorial African Region (EAR) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland.
Nestlé EAR was set up in 2008 and oversees the Nestlé operations in 20 countries including Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Malawi, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Nestlé