Nestlé Nutrition Invests to Expand Gerber Plant in the US
The expansion aims to create around 50 local jobs and boost further potential for local contractors. In addition, renovations to the 46-year-old Arkansas plant will support continuous operational improvement and increase production capacity.
Jul 22 2010 Nestlé Nutrition invests USD 89.9 million to expand and revamp its Gerber Fort Smith plant in the United States.
Construction to add an additional Gerber cereal manufacturing line to the 900,000 square foot facility begins immediately and is scheduled to be completed by September 2012.
The expansion aims to create around 50 local jobs and boost further potential for local contractors. In addition, renovations to the 46-year-old Arkansas plant will support continuous operational improvement and increase production capacity.
Kurt Schmidt, CEO of Nestlé Nutrition North America, said: “Creating Shared Value is an important principle at Nestlé, and we are proud to continue to support and encourage growth within the Fort Smith community.”
Patrick Murray, Gerber’s Fort Smith plant manager, added: “This investment is truly a testament to the hard work and commitment of our employees.”
The Fort Smith site produces a range of Gerber products including 1st Foods, 2nd Foods and 3rd Foods purees in plastic and glass containers, Gerber Graduates Meat Sticks and Gerber infant cereals.
News of the decision to expand was welcomed in the community and the state. Governor Mike Beebe said: “This expansion by Gerber illustrates the continued revival and growth of manufacturing in Fort Smith. It is the continued success of respected companies like Nestlé that will show other prospective businesses the benefits of locating in Sebastian County.”
John McFarland, Chairman of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Board, added: “Gerber has been a strong corporate citizen in Fort Smith for many years. I thank the Company for its commitment to doing business and growing in Fort Smith. I look forward to Gerber’s continued success.”
The expansion follows another project earlier this year at the Gerber Life facility in Fremont, Michigan, with the addition of a call centre which will create around 180 jobs over the next five years.
