Nestle plans investment in Jonesboro facility
To begin manufacturing its HOT POCKETS brand sandwiches in Jonesboro, in addition to the STOUFFER'S and LEAN CUISINE frozen prepared meals which have been made there since the facility opened in 2003.
16/03/06 Nestle Prepared Foods Company has announced plans to invest $19.7 million in new production equipment at the company's Jonesboro, Arkansas manufacturing facility. With this investment, the company will begin to manufacture its HOT POCKETS(R) brand sandwiches in Jonesboro, in addition to the STOUFFER'S(R) and LEAN CUISINE(R) frozen prepared meals which have been made there since the facility opened in 2003. Nestle employment--now at nearly 400--will grow. The company expects to add approximately 65 new positions by the end of 2006 and an additional 35-45 positions in early 2007.
In 2002, Nestle acquired the HOT POCKETS(R) family of brands from Chef America, Inc. which had pioneered the development of the successful frozen sandwich and snack category. Today the business is part of the Nestle Prepared Foods Company, headquartered in Solon, Ohio. In 2005, sales of STOUFFER'S(R), LEAN CUISINE(R) and HOT POCKETS(R) brand products totalled $2.9 billion.
Construction on the new production line is expected to begin immediately with the hiring process starting later this year. The company plans to be making HOT POCKETS(R) brand products in Jonesboro by the first quarter of 2007.
