The average Nestle manufacturing plant takes 18 to 24 months
to build at an investment between $34 million and $55 million. A new modular
design the company is considering may prove to be much more cost effective,
able to be constructed in less than 12 months at a cost of $17 million to $28
million.
“The model is a real evolution from the traditional bricks
and mortar factories of the past,” said Alfredo Fenollosa, Nestlé’s technical
head for Asia, Oceania and
companies traditionally build solid stuff but the lighter structure of this modular
factory concept represents a real mindset change for Nestle. We hope to be able
to apply it soon in countries in Africa, and in some parts of
The modular factory will be made of multiple, easy-to
assemble component sections designed to offer a flexible, simple and
cost-effective solutions for creating production sites in the developing world,
according to the company. No mention of which modular manufacturer is building the modules for Nestle.
Currently, Nestle uses a “box-in-box” model, which is a
shell such as a warehouse with manufacturing plant inside. The company said the
modular factory takes the concept a step further, using a series of
purpose-built factory sections that may be brought, ready-to-use, directly to
the site and connected to each other according to requirements. It may include,
for example, a ready-to-use generator and boiler, a staff canteen and changing
rooms for plant employees.
The factory may then be expanded, moved or its function
changed without having to start from scratch. The company also said the modular
concept is designed to industrialize simple processes like repacking and mixing
dry goods such as Maggi bouillon cubes, rather than creating more complex
products.
