Nestlé commences first stage of expansion at Papua New Guinea site

Nestlé Australia, a subsidiary of Swiss giant Nestlé, has commenced the first stage of an expansion at its manufacturing site in Lae, Papua New Guinea, to cater to the increasing local demand for its products.

The company is investing A$9.5m to purchase production equipment, which will produce MAGGI noodles and MAGGI bouillon.

Sourced largely from Europe, the new equipment will provide Nestlé with 30% additional capacity.

The project will create a platform for innovation for the company as well as allow it to increase its offering, in addition to its existing range of nutritious fortified products.

In addition, it is expected to create 75 new jobs.

Nestlé executive vice president and Oceania, Africa, Asia and the Middle East zone director Nandu Nandkishore said, "Nestlé has been operating in this country for more than three decades and our commitment goes well beyond the manufacturing of nutritious products.

"We also support the PNG economy by sourcing a substantial amount of raw materials locally as well as implementing agricultural programs to support, encourage and train local farmers, particularly in the growing of coffee for our Nescafé Plan."

In 1908, Nestlé entered the Australian market; in 1999, the company’s Australian head office became the headquarters for the Oceania region, which comprises Nestlé operations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.