Nestle Opens Chocolate Centre of Excellence

Nestle establishes 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. 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 in hopes to bring profit and growth in the future. It is said that in confectionery, the strong growth of dark and premium chocolate is the most visible sign of "premiumization", as witnessed by 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.