TALENT POOL: Nestlé has been building its R&D capability
in China for more than ten years.
Nestlé will double the number of research and development (R&D) units it has
in China to further its understanding of Chinese consumers, ingredients and local
cuisine, and provide scientific and technological expertise to the rest of the business
in Asia and around the world.
The two new R&D units in
Xiamen and Dongguan will also support Nestlé’s joint ventures with Chinese food
companies
Yinlu and
Hsu Fu Chi, as well as working on projects with its
R&D centres in other countries.
The unit in Xiamen will specialise in ready-to-drink beverages and will support
Yinlu, China’s leading producer of ready-to-drink peanut milk and ready-to-eat rice
congee.
The unit in Dongguan will have expertise in baked products and will work closely
with Hsu Fu Chi, the leader in affordable confectionery, biscuits, and traditional
snacks in China.
Enriching experiences
“We continue to invest in our R&D
capability in Asia, because we know this brings us closer to local consumers, and
gives us a greater understanding of the raw materials used to make the products
they enjoy,” said Johannes Baensch, Nestlé’s Global Head of Research and Development.
“Wherever they are in the world, our regional
R&D units are global centres of competency for certain technologies.
They create proprietary knowledge and focus on growth opportunities for our business.
“They are successful because of the local people we hire and because of the way
these people are integrated into our R&D
network, sharing knowledge and experience,” he continued.
“We’ve been building our R&D
capability in China for more than ten years. The result is a really talented team,
and a strong talent pool for the future.”
“We’ve been building our R&D
capability in China for more than ten years. The result is a really talented team,
and a strong talent pool for the future.”
Johannes Baensch, Nestlé’s Global
Head of Research and Development.
Committed to China
Nestlé’s investment in Xiamen and Dongguan reflects its long-term commitment to
advance nutrition and food science in China.
The company set up its
first R&D facility in China
in Shanghai in 2001 to support its joint venture with the culinary products
producer Totole.
Today, its R&D unit in Shanghai
continues to specialise in the development of culinary products for retail, as well
as in ‘out-of-home’ products for Nestlé Professional, and ice cream.
It drives Nestlé’s systems innovation in China, including brands such as Nescafé
Dolce Gusto.
Beijing also has a major focus on food safety and quality, consumer insights, and
basic research in health science.
Together with Nestlé’s facilities in Shanghai and Beijing, the new
R&D units in Xiamen and Dongguan will be part of the newly-named
‘R&D China’.
R&D China will continue
to build on Nestlé’s existing scientific collaborations with universities and research
organisations in the country.
Increasing capabilities
Nestlé’s worldwide research and development network enables it to acquire local
knowledge and use it on a global scale.
The company’s investment in China is the latest in a number it has made to increase
its R&D capabilities recently.
In June, Nestlé opened a
Clinical Development Unit in Lausanne, Switzerland. In August, it
announced an addition to its Product Technology Centre in Konolfingen, Switzerland,
which focuses on the development of infant formula, dairy products and medical nutrition.
In November, the company plans to inaugurate the
Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences in
Lausanne, as well as its new R&D
Centre in Manesar, India.
Related information:
Research and development
at Nestlé
Read more stories about Nestlé’s global
R&D network:
Nestlé steps up its research and development in Switzerland
Nestlé opens new unit to centralise global clinical development work
Nestlé extends global Product Technology Centre for confectionery
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