Nestlé Australia says its $30 million upgrade at the Campbellfield factory, Victoria will increase production capacity, R&D, and product quality for KitKats using the latest technology, automation, and AI.
Nestlé general manager Confectionery, Andrew Lawrey, said the investment is testament to Nestlé’s commitment to local manufacturing and to delivering new flavours to consumers.
“KitKat fans love to see new ways to break – and the new technology we have installed in our factory allows us to create new flavours and fillings, textures and tastes,” Lawrey said.
Part of the investment is a new wafer oven, which Lawrey said would enhance wafer quality of the “entire KitKat range”.
“We’re excited that this new technology will help us to deliver a crispier, more consistent ‘snap’ – the iconic break that KitKat is famous for,” he said.
It will see a three-gram reduction in the KitKat 4 Finger bar, from 45 to 42 grams, because of the new moulds needed for the upgraded technology.
Greater automation has also been a major component of the works, with employee safety a “top priority”.
“By investing in automation, we can significantly reduce manual handling, making the job safer for our operators. We will also be able to minimise food and packaging waste,” he said.
It’s not the first time Nestle Australia's KitKat production has been technology forward. In 2022, in a global and Australian first, Nestlé rolled out the first commercial scale recycled content soft plastic wrapper in Australia, with 45g KitKat bars packaged in 30 per cent recycled content wrappers. A year later, a shortage of PCR material prompted Nestlé to trial a paper-based option.
The Campbellfield factory employs more than 400 people and makes Aero, Smarties, Milkybar, Chokito, and baking products Bakers’ Choice and Plaistowe as well as KitKat.
“We have a long history of making delicious products in our Campbellfield factory – and with this investment, we’re looking forward to a long future,” Lawrey said.
