Nestlé celebrates opening its new US headquarters
From left, NestlÈ CFO Giulio Gerardo, NestlÈ Chief People Officer Judy Cascapera, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Arlington County Board Vice Chairman Christian Dorsey (in back), Chairman & CEO of NestlÈ USA Steve Presley, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., take part in a ribbon cutting during the NestlÈ US headquarters Grand Opening Celebration and NestlÈ Good Life Fest on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NestlÈ)
Nestlé has marked a major chapter in its US business after officially opening its American headquarters at Arlington, Virginia.
The new location in Rosslyn will focus on Nestlé USA’s corporate functions, beverage, baking and global foods divisions, as well as its eBusiness team and center for marketing excellence. Gerber Products Company, Nestlé USA’s sister company, will relocate to the same building next year, bringing the total number of Nestlé employees there to around 900.
Earlier this year the company agreed the sale of its US confectionery division to Ferrero for a reported $2.8 billion, as the business moves more towards health food related products. The arm of the company represented around 3% of its American interests.
The business recently released its half-year results which the business said had made promising progress, including in major domestic US markets, as well as in China.
As part of the new head office opening, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony and culinary festival known as the Nestlé Good Life Fest, involving employees and the wider community.
According to the company, the event marks a significant milestone in the 152-year history of the firm, as Nestlé continues to transform its business to be fit for the future. Its enhanced growth strategy focuses on strengthening its base brands, using new innovation models to launch new foods quickly, and making strategic acquisitions in high-growth categories.
“Moving our headquarters across the country is a true catalyst for transforming our business as we create a new Nestlé,” said Steve Presley, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA. “Today is about more than our building, it’s also about our biggest asset: our people. We’re celebrating our drive to create a culture that embraces the speed, courage, agility and collaboration necessary to win in the marketplace. And relocating here to Arlington helps to fuel that drive.”
Originally announced in January 2017, Nestlé’s relocation came to fruition through collaboration with state and local government officials, many of whom will attend today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new era of Nestlé.
“I’m proud to officially welcome the world’s largest food and beverage company to its new U.S. headquarters in Arlington County,” said Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia. “Nestlé’s decision to move to the Commonwealth underscores Virginia’s reputation as a great place to work and live, and we look forward to continuing what is already a strong partnership.”
