Crispier break for KitKat thanks to factory upgrade in Vic

Nestlé Australia has announced a $30 million investment to increase production capacity at its Campbellfield factory in Victoria, the home of KitKat.

The factory upgrade will also bring digital and AI capabilities that will be designed to improve the KitKat wafer, and enable further innovation to the chocolate such as new flavours.

Nestlé General Manager Confectionery Andrew Lawrey said the investment is testament to Nestlé’s ongoing support for local manufacturing.

“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!

“Part of the investment is a new wafer oven, which will enhance the entire KitKat range by improving our wafer quality. 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.

“There is a slight change in our wafer size as the moulds compatible with the new technology are smaller, which will see our KitKat 4 Finger bar move from 45 g to 42 g,” Lawrey said.

In addition to unlocking production capacity and innovation capabilities, greater automation in the factory will also increase safety.

“The safety of our team is our 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,” Lawrey added.

One of the first products to be made using the new technology is KitKat Neapolitan, due on shelves in Australia from January and New Zealand from February.

The Nestlé factory in Campbellfield employs more than 400 people and makes a number of chocolate brands including KitKat, Aero, Smarties, Milkybar, Chokito and baking products Bakers’ Choice and Plaistowe.

Image: Supplied.