RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Nestlé USA plans to invest $20 million to expand manufacturing capacity in Danville, creating 50 new jobs at its facility in Danville’s Airside Industrial Park. The company makes BUITONI® refrigerated pasta and sauces and NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough at the facility. Virginia successfully competed with Idaho and Wisconsin for the project.
“Nestlé’s expansion is further evidence that the Southside region continues to grow and diversify its economy,” said Governor Kaine. “This is the fifth Danville announcement I’ve participated in since taking office 14 months ago, and it is gratifying to see this continued progress.”
Nestlé USA is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland – the world’s largest food company – which earlier this spring posted record sales of $79 billion. The company has been designated one of “America’s Most Admired Food Companies” in FORTUNE magazine for ten consecutive years.
“I am so proud of our team in Danville. Our associates here have helped us grow these brands into the very strong businesses they are today,” said Nestlé’s Don Nodtvedt, who is set to retire as Danville plant manager. “The success of these businesses is what allows Nestlé to make this significant new investment in Danville.” Nodtvedt will be succeeded in this position by Mike Mabert, who comes to Virginia from a Nestlé facility in California.
Nestlé officials note that the BUITONI® brand, made in Danville since 1988, is now the market share leader in the U.S. refrigerated pasta and sauce category. Similarly, NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough, launched in 1993, is responsible for most of that category’s recent growth. In 2004, Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine named Danville its bakery “Plant of the Year,” in recognition of the outstanding performance of these products.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Danville to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $75,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Danville with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $75,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“This is an exhilarating time for Nestlé and the city,” said Danville City Manager Jerry L. Gwaltney. “Their announcement of new jobs and investment will have long lasting effects on the city by increasing our tax base, enhancing our diverse business climate, and by paying better than average wages. With more than 500 employees working here in Danville, this world-class company is one of our major private sector employers in the city. We greatly value our partnership with the Nestlé team and we congratulate them on their continued success.”