Nestle Quality Assurance Center in Dublin, Ohio Celebrates 20th Anniversary; Expansion Continues with 50 New Jobs Added This Year

DUBLIN, Ohio, May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For Nestle, the world's largest food company with 2010 sales of $105 billion, quality is the foundation for its global nutrition, health and wellness businesses. In Dublin, Ohio, Nestle operates the Nestle Quality Assurance Center (NQAC), which celebrates its 20th anniversary this week.

Created to provide key analytical and technical functions for all of Nestle's businesses in the Americas, the professional and technical staff includes chemists, microbiologists, food scientists, quality specialists and support staff. The staff provides specialized laboratory services to Nestle clients and is available to do so 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In 2004, when the facility began to support factory hygiene and food safety systems as well, the facility was elevated to a Center of Excellence. Today, NQAC Dublin plays an integral part in the global quality operation, serving as the lead NQAC in the Americas.

More than 50 new scientific and professional positions have been added at this location since January 2011, bringing total employment to more than 150. The new positions were added to help address increasing demand for laboratory expertise and to help in the pursuit of Nestle's global quality mission. The NQAC efforts, led by Dr. Les Smoot in Dublin, help ensure Nestle products are safe, satisfy all applicable regulatory guidelines and meet the quality expectations of Nestle consumers, customers and facilities. The range of products tested to assure product safety and quality range from "Perrier water to Purina pet food," quips Dr. Smoot.

The 45,000 sq. ft. Dublin facility was dedicated in 1991 and is an ISO accredited laboratory. To meet expanding customer needs, an 8,000 sq. ft. controlled storage building was completed in 2001 and a comprehensive renovation of the microbiology section was completed in 2002. NQAC Dublin is also proud to serve as the home office for the Zone Americas Regional NQAC Manager. (Nestle manages its Food and Beverages business through three geographic Zones and globally for Nestle Waters, Nestle Nutrition and other Food and Beverages). Also based in Dublin are many of the technical services provided by the global NQAC organization.

In addition to NQAC Dublin, Nestle businesses including Nestle USA, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Nestle Professional and Nestle Waters North America employ more than 2,900 individuals in the state of Ohio. Important centers of employment include Cincinnati, Cleveland, Hilliard, Marysville, Solon and Zanesville.

Nestle in the United States consists of five main businesses: Nestle USA, Nestle Waters North America, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Nestle Nutrition and Nestle Professional. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. It is Nestle S.A.'s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $27 billion in 2010.

Committed to becoming the very best Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestle in the United States sells some of the world's best-known brands and products seen every day, and that families have come to enjoy and rely on for years, including six billion-dollar brands. Key brands include LEAN CUISINE®, NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE®, POWERBAR®, NESTLE® PURE LIFE®, POLAND SPRING®, GERBER®, and PURINA ONE®.

To learn more about Nestle, including its commitment to the environment, please visit: CreatingSharedValue.org, NestleNutrition.com, NestleUSA.com, NestleWatersNorthAmerica.com, Purina.com and NestleProfessional.com.

SOURCE Nestle USA