Nestlé Plans Chocolate Research Center in Broc

Nestlé invests 20 million Swiss francs in the project.

The new Chocolate Centre of Excellence,
located atNestlé's chocolate factory in Broc (Switzerland),
will be operationalin the first half of 2009 and will bring together
both internal and external know-how of international chocolate-making
professionals such as top confiseurs, sensory experts and packaging
designers. The establishment of the new Chocolate Centre of
Excellence is afurther sign that Nestlé sees luxury and
premium products as one ofits key strategic areas with above-average
growth and profit potential over the coming years. In confectionery,
the strong growthof dark and premium chocolate is the most visible
sign of"premiumisation", as witnessed by strong brands such
as Cailler,Perugina, Baci and Nestlé Noir. It also explains
Nestlé's partnershipwith Belgian luxury chocolatier Pierre
Marcolini who will providei nspiration to the team in Broc for some
of the company's future chocolate ranges.