Nestlé expands South Auckland factory to meet demand for gluten-free
The company says it no longer has to compromise on taste when making dietary foods.
The company says it no longer has to compromise on taste when making dietary foods.
While chocolate maker Cadbury is closing a factory in Dunedin, arch-rival Nestlé is expanding its one in South Auckland.
Though the Swiss food giant doesn’t make chocolate in New Zealand, it has a thriving business making ingredient products for the hospitality industry and supermarkets.
Nestlé says a new production facility at its Cambria Park site in South Auckland will meet surging domestic and international demand for gluten-free products both in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region.
Prime Minister Bill English officially opened the advanced controlled production facility, which makes Maggi and Docello food service brands. The site’s annual exports of more than $60 million are expected to increase from the boost in output.
Nestlé New Zealand chief executive Veronique Cremades says the investment goes beyond the factory alone.
“Gluten free no longer means compromise,” she says. “Our international research and development programme now allows us to create high-quality gluten-free products that taste great and maintain texture.”
These include a selection of Maggi supermarket products such as flavour boosters, recipe bases, gravies, sauces and soups as well as Docello dessert mixtures used in professional food service.
The Cambria Park site opened in 1962 and also makes a number of confectionery products.