Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from Nestlé USA (www.nestleusa.com) to announce the company's plans to expand its 880,000 square-foot beverage production facility in Indiana, creating nearly 135 new jobs by 2011.
The company, which is on track to begin full production at the central Indiana facility later this year, will invest $200 million to add additional beverage production and distribution capacity at the 190-acre site located approximately 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis.
"Nestle is making an even bigger commitment to Anderson and to Indiana. The company had a resounding response from Hoosiers who want to work at the new Anderson plant, and now before it even opens, the company is choosing to invest again in the facility and create new jobs for Hoosiers," said Daniels.
The expansion comes two years after the company initially announced plans to site its $359 million Nestlé Nesquik Ready-to-Drink and Nestlé Coffee-mate Liquid manufacturing and distribution center in the Indiana city. As part of the latest expansion, the company will hire engineering staff, technical support specialists, production associates and warehouse staff.
"We're very excited to be expanding in Anderson," said Michael Strong, factory and facility manager, Nestlé Anderson. "We are deeply appreciative to the State of Indiana and the City of Anderson for working with us during the evaluation period and making this announcement possible."
The Anderson, Ind. facility is one of 51 manufacturing operations and six distribution centers the company operates in the United States. A subsidiary of Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestlé S.A., Nestlé USA employs more than 14,000 across the country.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Nestlé USA up to $1.325 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based upon the company's job creation plans. The state will also fund improvements to roads serving the expanded facility, including the nearby I-69 interchange. The city of Anderson will provide the company with property tax abatement, construct two water towers to accommodate the increased demand from the facility and assist the company in recruiting new employees.
"The community is using its utility capacity and skilled workforce to fill the needs of today's high growth companies. We are thrilled with Nestlé's expansion and the jobs and investment it represents," said Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon.
Nestle's decision to expand its beverage-making operation in central Indiana is the fourth major investment in the state by the company since July 2006. In August 2007, Nestle Waters North America announced plans to locate a new Nestle Pure Life brand water bottling operation in the central Indiana city of Greenwood, creating more than 60 new jobs. That announcement followed a June 2007 decision by the company to invest more than $30 million in its Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream® facility in Fort Wayne, creating 68 new jobs. In July 2006, Nestlé announced its plans to build a combined production and distribution facility in Anderson for its Nestlé Nesquik Ready-to-Drink and Nestle Coffee-Mate products.
