Nestlé opens new facility for baby snacks brand Gerber in China

Nestlé has opened a facility for its infant cereal and baby snacks brand Gerber in China.

Located in Shuangcheng, Harbin, the new facility will be engaged in the production of Gerber Nutripuff.

Built with an investment of RMB100m ($14.1m), the facility has a annual production capacity of 1,400t. It is equipped with advanced automated canning and packaging lines imported from the UK, Switzerland and the US.

Nestlé Greater China chairman and CEO Rashid Qureshi said: “In the 1980s, Shuangcheng was Nestlé’s first location to invest in China. It occupies a special place in my mind. We’ve witnessed Nestlé’s development for more than 30 years here, creating shared value for all stakeholders.

“This new factory represents Nestlé’s latest investment in Shuangcheng and demonstrates Nestlé’s great confidence and firm commitment to the Chinese market.

“I am honoured to witness Nestlé’s milestone in Shuangcheng together with everyone. Nestlé and Shuangcheng have written a positive story of sincere cooperation, and we have every reason to continue such success.”

Nestlé’s baby nutrition brand Gerber has been producing a wide range of food products for infants, including cereals, fruit and vegetable puree and puffs.

The puff products that will be produced at the new facility will be available in eight flavours in both organic and non-organic segments. They will be packaged in cans, as well as in flexible packaging.

The company noted that the raw rice used for producing Gerber Nutripuff will be sourced locally from Songnen Plain in Heilongjiang Province.

Nestlé Greater China Infant Nutrition Business Unit senior vice-president Binu Jacob said: “Nestlé has been committed to providing Chinese consumers with nutritious, healthy and safe products to help people live healthier.

“This time, in the construction of Gerber Nutripuff factory in Shuangcheng, we hope to provide nutritious and quality-assured supplement food to help Chinese babies to meet their growing needs at different stages.

“We also believe that Nestlé’s technical advantages and industrial advantages of Shuangcheng will create greater economic and social benefits, promote the development and upgrading of Shuangcheng agriculture and food industry, and promote a win-win for local economic and social development.”