Today, Rachael Maskell, Member of Parliament for York Central paid a visit to Nestlé York, the home of iconic brands KITKAT, AERO and POLO.
The MP was welcomed by Andrew McIver, Managing Director for Confectionery, Nestlé UK and Ireland and Emmanuel Senechal, Nestlé York Factory Manager and given an introduction to Nestlé and the site which is one of the world’s largest confectionery manufacturing sites and a significant employer in York.
In the last six years, the York site has received over £50 million investment, creating a best in class manufacturing facility fit for competitive production for both the UK and overseas markets.
More than 17% of annual confectionery production made at the site is exported to over 70 countries across all continents.
Rachael also met with Tom Banham, Head of Academy Talent Acquisition who provided an overview of the Nestlé Academy and the Youth Employment Initiative.
Through the Youth Employment Initiative the company has committed to provide 1,900 employment opportunities to young people by 2016 and to offer employability and skills training to young people in local communities close to its sites.
Following the introductions, the MP enjoyed a tour of the factory led by Emmanuel Senechal, Nestlé York Factory Manager, and witnessed production of the iconic KITKAT and AERO.
The Nestlé York site makes more than one billion KITKATs and 200 million AERO bars each year.
In the factory, Rachel Maskell MP also heard from Simon Scaife, Nestlé York Engineering Apprentice, Matt Tarn, Plant Technician, who recently scooped the prestigious ‘York Apprentice of the Year’ award and Jordan Phillips, Development Plant Technician, who won ‘York Apprentice of the Year’ award last year.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central said: “Nestlé is one of the biggest employers in York and, as well as being important to the local economy, it was one of the first companies to implement the living wage.
"The company is one of the food industry’s major exporters delivering its products to over 70 countries around the world. It is great to visit the York site. Nestlé have invested in their staff and in York’s economy.
"I look forward to working with the company in the future to ensure that this continues.”