Nestlé has announced it will invest over €25 million in a significant expansion of its Research and Development Centre in Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
Nestlé has announced it will invest over €25 million in a significant expansion of its Research and Development Centre in Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
The enhanced facility will be located at Nestlé`s existing plant in Askeaton, which produces a range of high quality premium powdered milk-based products for infants, young children and mothers for export to world markets.
The R&D Centre will focus on global product innovation for Nestlé’s Wyeth Nutrition infant and maternal nutrition business and is anticipated to open in late 2017.
Stefan Catsicas, Chief Technology Officer, Nestlé Research said: “Nestlé has a long-standing reputation for excellence in food and nutrition research. This Centre will be a leading laboratory in food and life sciences to continue to position Nestlé at the fore of infant and maternal nutritional product development.
"It will enable our scientists to explore nutritional opportunities that can improve the health and wellness of children’s lives. This major product development centre will be an essential part of our Global Nestlé Nutrition R&D network.”
The extended R&D Centre, part of Nestlé`s global R&D network of close to 5,000 people, will concentrate on developing premium, high quality, innovative, science based products for mothers and infants.
It will incorporate state of the art laboratory facilities as well as a full pilot-scale manufacturing line to facilitate development and testing of new products from initial concept through to finished product development.
The Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Conn Murray, welcomed the announcement saying that the provision of a new Research & Development Centre and the creation of 11 new jobs is a significant development for West Limerick and "is indicative of Limerick's attractiveness as an investment location for multinationals."
"Attracting companies into the region has delivered significant results in recent years as evidenced by announcements from Uber and viagogo.com but of equal significance is the level of new investments by multinationals already based here," said Mr. Murray.
"Research & Development enables many businesses to expand and improve their operations and it is clear that the development of a new R&D Centre, incorporating state of the art laboratory facilities as well as a full pilot-scale manufacturing line, will consolidate the Nestlé's position as a leading employer in Askeaton now and into the future," he added.
The project investment is being supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Michael Cantwell, Director of the Food Division, Enterprise Ireland added: “This is a strategically important investment for Ireland and is a huge vote of confidence in the future of the Irish dairy industry and the research connectedness in Ireland.
"Nestlé’s decision to extend its R&D centre at its manufacturing plant at the Askeaton site is of critical strategic importance and underpins Nestlé’s commitment to its Irish based operations.”