Nestle SA - New Nestle Chocolate Centre

RNS Number:7089P
Nestle SA
10 March 2008

Press Release

Nestle to open Chocolate Centre of Excellence

Vevey, 10 March 2008 - Nestle today announced the establishment of the
Chocolate Centre of Excellence, the company's first R&D facility entirely
dedicated to the development of premium and luxury chocolate. The new Chocolate
Centre of Excellence, located at Nestle's chocolate factory in Broc
(Switzerland), will be operational in 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 project launch was attended by Roland Decorvet, market head of Nestle
Switzerland, and Beat Vonlanthen, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Canton of
Fribourg. Petraea Heynike, Global Head of Nestle's Chocolate Strategic Business
Unit, and Klaus Zimmermann, Global Head of Nestle's R&D and Product Technology
Centers, also attended.

The establishment of the new Chocolate Centre of Excellence is a further sign
that Nestle sees luxury and premium products as one of its key strategic areas
with above-average growth and profit potential over the coming years. In
confectionery, the strong growth of dark and premium chocolate is the most
visible sign of "premiumisation", as witnessed by strong brands such as Cailler,
Perugina, Baci and Nestle Noir. It also explains Nestle's partnership with
Belgian luxury chocolatier Pierre Marcolini who will provide inspiration to the
team in Broc for some of the company's future chocolate ranges.

Contacts: Media: Francois-Xavier Perroud Tel.: +41-21-924 2596
Investors: Roddy Child-Villiers Tel.: +41-21-924 3622

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