HISTORY OF NESTLÉ UK AND IRELAND
From the outset, Nestlé was an international company, assuming the multicultural traditions of its parent country. Almost its first undertaking was to set up factories and distribution in other countries. As early as 1900, it had started manufacturing in the USA and it was among the first international companies to appreciate the importance of Latin America. In addition to its major businesses in Europe, north America and the Far East, it is also well established in India, China, Africa and Eastern Europe.
- Henri Nestlé
NESTLÉ UK LTD
Nestlé UK is an important component of this international company.
The story started in 1868, when Henri Nestlé set up a sales office in London. In 1901, Nestlé opened its first UK factory, and in 1905 merged with the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company.
Over the years Nestlé has acquired other names almost as famous as its own - notably Rowntree's - as well as gaining a reputation for innovation.
In 1913 chocolate production began at Hayes, including the launch of the famous brand of white chocolate Milky Bar in 1937.
- Nestlé chocolate poster, 1927
In the 1930's, Nestlé was at the forefront of developing both instant and freeze dried coffee, and pioneered most of today's blends and speciality coffees. This resulted in the first production of Nescafé in 1939.
Subsequently Blend 37 freeze dried instant coffee was introduced in 1955, followed shortly afterwards by Gold Blend in 1964.
The 1980's and 1990's saw some major acquisitions including Friskies and Carnation (1985), Rowntree PLC and Buitoni-Perugina (1988), Perrier(1990) and Spillers(1998). Also in 1990, Nestlé entered into a joint venture agreement with General Mills called "Cereal Partners Worldwide" which brings cereal products to the shelves under the Nestlé brand.
The company has continued its development into the twenty first century with acquisition of Ralston Purina Pet Food internationally and Ski and Munch Bunch brands in the UK.
Many of Nestlé's brands have been household names for generations - Nescafé, Quality Street, Aero, Kit Kat, After Eight, Polo, Black Magic and Smarties. These successes and others demonstrate that Nestlé UK has unrivalled expertise in developing strong brands and keeping them in the public eye.
NESTLÉ (IRELAND) LTD
Nestlé Ireland was born out of a series of mergers and amalgamations of Dublin based confectionary companies over a period of 150 years. Gradually, these well-known confectioners, including Williams and Woods; Rowntree & Co (Ireland) Ltd and Macintosh began to consolidate in the market place.
These companies were eventually acquired by the Nestlé Group, who restructured operations into a single business in 1988. Today, Nestlé Ireland is based in Citywest Business Campus where its main focus is to further develop its core coffee and confectionary categories, aswell as its' chilled, nutrition and food service categories. Nestlé is one of Ireland’s top branded foods.
- Nestlé - Good Food, Good Life
NESTLÉ - GOING FORWARD
Since Henri Nestlé began his investigation into child nutrition, Nestlé has been a research-based company. Now it leads the world in food and nutrition research. For the future Nestlé UK is accelerating the business evolution to a Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company. The focus will be on improving the nutritional qualities of our existing products and on launching new, great tasting, healthier products that people can easily integrate into their diets.
