Someone tell Nestlé that Europe's economy is on the ropes. In the past 18 months, the Vevey, Switzerland-based nutrition and food services giant has invested in new facilities in France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland — and three in the UK (not to mention China, Jamaica, the UAE, Malaysia and Argentina, among other places). It's also expanding a Purina pet food factory in Bük, Hungary, adding 150 jobs to that site.

Nestlé management knows full well the company's many markets, of course — including Europe, where the multinational, with dozens of consumer brands in its portfolio (Gerber, Carnation, Buitoni and Perrier to name a few), has been expanding for 140 years.

In May, it began construction on a new factory that represents the company's largest-ever investment in Germany. German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined Nestlé Chief Executive Paul Bulcke at a ceremony to lay a foundation stone for the company's €220-million (US$288-million) Nescafé Dolce Gusto site in Schwerin, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The factory is expected to create about 450 new jobs. Nescafé Dolce Gusto is a coffee pod and machine system for making gourmet coffee at home.

We are convinced that growth is possible.

"In spite of the difficult economic environment, we believe in Europe's strength," said Mr. Bulcke. "We are convinced that growth is possible. This is why we are not only investing right now, but continuously, in the European market and in convincing innovations, modern technology, and highly qualified employees.

"This factory is not only our biggest investment in Germany, but one of our biggest-ever investments in Europe," he continued. "It reflects our long-standing commitment to Germany and illustrates our deep trust in a country where we have had successful operations for 110 years."

Germany is Nestlé's fourth biggest market worldwide and its number one market in sales of Nescafé Dolce Gusto. The factory in Schwerin will be the company's third fully dedicated Nescafé Dolce Gusto site, after Tutbury in the UK and Girona, Spain. It will produce around 2 billion capsules per year for the German, Scandinavian and Eastern European markets.

Sustainable Water Bottling

In March, Nestlé Waters marked the inauguration of a new, £35-million ($54-million) water bottling facility in Buxton, UK, which bottles Buxton natural mineral water and Nestlé Pure Life spring water. Also in the UK, the company in 2012 invested in its Product Technology Centre for confectionery, in York. The same year saw the Purina factory expansion in Hungary and a $321-million Nespresso factory in Fribourg, Switzerland.

"The Buxton factory is an excellent example of how we are continuing to invest in Europe despite tough economic conditions," said Paul Bulcke at the opening event. "This factory will contribute to accelerate the development of our bottled water activities and illustrates our capacity for innovation in production facilities via an approach that combines strong and sustainable production efficiency with outstanding environmental performances," he continued.

Mr. Bulcke was joined by Lord de Mauley, Environment Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK.

"Investments like this in our food and drink industry help generate economic growth and create more jobs," he said. "This investment will ensure Buxton remains the home of Nestlé Waters' bottling facilities long into the future, which is good news for the local community, the economy and the environment."

The new factory is reducing its environmental impact in a number of ways, including cutting energy use and the amount of packaging it uses. For example, Nestlé Waters bottled water products are manufactured using an average of 25 percent less PET plastic across its range, compared to previous products. The factory's heat recovery system is recycling energy from the production process to help heat the warehouse and offices at the site. And a new drainage system is helping to sustainably manage rainwater.

The new factory is Nestlé's most recent multi-million-pound investment in the UK. The company invested £40 million ($61 million) over the past few years to create a European center of excellence for Nescafé Cappuccino in Cumbria. In 2012, it announced a £310-million ($477-million) investment in its coffee manufacturing business in Tutbury, Derbyshire, creating 425 new jobs.

About The Author Mark Arend

Mark Arend is Editor in Chief of Atlanta-based Site Selection magazine and its monthly e-newsletters, The Site Selection Energy Report, Life Sciences Report, Aerospace Report and Site Selection International.