Nestle FoodServices Announces the Groundbreaking of Its Culinary Innovation Center in Solon

06/10/06 Nestlé FoodServices North America is proud to announce the groundbreaking of its new Culinary Innovation Center on Bainbridge Road in Solon, Ohio. The official groundbreaking is taking place today with Solon Mayor Kevin Patton and other local dignitaries in attendance.

The Nestlé FoodServices Culinary Innovation Center will encompass 67,300 square feet, comprised of a basement, two floors, and the provision for a future third floor. This state-of-the-art facility will set a new industry standard as the epicenter for Nestlé FoodServices development of quality innovative culinary products for foodservice customers.

“This groundbreaking signifies Nestlé’s growth and expansion in Solon as well as Nestlé’s commitment to culinary innovation in the foodservice industry,” said Tracy Thomas, Vice President/General Manager, Culinary, Nestlé FoodServices North America. “The realization of this new Center will provide a unique community for our Nestlé FoodServices Culinary team and a new opportunity for Nestlé to work with the local Solon community.”

Designed to integrate four developmental processes, the Culinary Innovation Center will feature separate areas for “Ideation” or concept development, Culinary kitchens, Product Development laboratories, and an area to develop and test manufacturing models. Construction will begin in February 2007 with expected completion in December 2007. The Stellar Group will provide architectural, engineering and construction management services. When the Culinary Innovation Center is fully operational, Nestlé expects to have added 70 new jobs including Marketing, Chefs, Food Technologists and Management.

“I’d like to add that we were impressed by the efforts of the community of Solon to meet the needs of future business,” said Thomas. “In particular, we’d like to acknowledge their efforts and thank Mayor Kevin Patton, Solon’s Economic Development Director Peggy Weil Dorfman, and William Mazur, Chairman of the Planning Commission. They planned well to meet the needs of a business such as ours, and we appreciate their efforts through this process.”

“Our decision to build a Culinary Innovation Center in Solon reflects our commitment to investing in product development to meet our customers’ needs for quality innovative products to help build their business. The Center will help us establish competitive advantage in the foodservice marketplace, and we’re excited to join our other Nestlé businesses in Solon,” said Tim Connor, President, Nestlé FoodServices.