Nestlé USA has announced plans to invest $675 million in building a 630,000-square-foot beverage factory in Glendale. The facility is scheduled to open in 2024 and create more than 350 jobs.

“Nestlé’s investment for their sustainable and innovative beverage manufacturing facility is a valued addition to Arizona’s manufacturing industry, creating quality jobs in Glendale while making a positive impact in the community,” Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson said,

In hailing Nestlé’s decision to invest in the Valley, Ariz. Gov. Doug Ducey emphasized the increase in manufacturing in the state.

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“Nestlé selecting Arizona is great news,” Ducey said. “Manufacturing in our state is surging and Nestlé’s decision adds to this momentum, as well as bringing diversification to this fast-growing sector of our economy.”

Data gathered by the ACA shows that manufacturing in Arizona has seen considerable growth and now makes up the second largest industry in the state.

According to Nestlé, the Glendale facility will be its most technologically advanced factory and distribution center and will provide an ideal location to reach consumers in the Western states. The factory will strengthen its manufacturing capabilities in order to meet an increased consumer demand and changing dairy market.

This comes after a recent report by Bloomberg Intelligence, which found that the plant-based food market could surpass $162 billion in the next decade. If estimates are correct, this will be a 451% increase from when this market was valued at $29.4 billion in 2020.

Daniel Jhung, president of beverage for Nestlé, said, “Beverages play an increasingly important role in the lives of consumers, a trend that’s been accelerated by the pandemic and is expected to continue to grow. This investment illustrates our continued commitment to leading and growing categories where we play, providing consumers with a variety of high-quality, innovative products to meet their needs.”

Beginning this summer, the company will be hiring workers for the factory, including positions in professional staff, manufacturing and production leaders, technical staff, and engineers.

According to the ACA, Nestlé could receive up to $7 million in state tax incentives for newly created jobs.

“We appreciate the partnership from state and local officials and look forward to contributing to the local economy and Glendale community for many years to come, including through the creation of over 350 jobs,” Jhung said.

 

This story was originally published at Chamber Business News.