Nestlé is investing £28m in its Dalston factory in Cumbria, home of Nescafé Frothy Coffee, in a move the company says will modernise instant coffee production, increase capacity and strengthen its long-term manufacturing base.

We are very proud of our British manufacturing and this investment reflects the great work being done by our teams to position the UK as a market with significant manufacturing expertise and capability.”

The site will receive a new £17.5 million mixing plant and two high-tech packing lines worth £10.7 million, one of which will produce up to 60,000 coffee sachets per hour. Nestlé says the expansion boosts output while supporting its sustainability and packaging goals.

Richard Watson, CEO of Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “We are very proud of our British manufacturing and this investment reflects the great work being done by our teams to position the UK as a market with significant manufacturing expertise and capability.”

He added: “The Dalston investment is a prime example of how we’re investing in the future of the British food and drink industry – modernising our operations and supporting local jobs, driving growth opportunities and being more sustainable.”

Improved facilities

The four-storey mixing facility will introduce new handling systems designed to reduce heavy lifting by 80 percent, improving safety and ingredient accuracy. Nestlé states the improved design will not only speed up production but also ensure more consistent recipes and better working conditions.

New packing lines will also allow Dalston to run fully recyclable MONO PP laminate packaging, supporting wider corporate waste reduction targets. The technology will replac older lines currently in use at the site.

Ian Pipes, Nestlé Dalston Factory Manager, said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment which marks a significant step forward for our Dalston site. By upgrading our facilities with the latest technology, we’re not only improving product quality, but also creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for our teams.”

Local politician Markus Campbell-Savours MP for Penrith and Solway welcomed the announcement, adding: “I have recently visited the factory and am pleased to see this investment in high tech manufacturing in Dalston.”

Dalston has produced Nescafé Frothy Coffee since 1962 and is recognised globally by Nestlé as a Centre of Excellence for products including Nescafé Cappuccino, Latte, Coffee Mate and Starbucks Latte. It sources fresh milk from local dairy farms through a long-standing partnership with First Milk, established in 2010.