Food industry: Nestlé separates from two works in Germany

The Swiss food giant Nestlé separates from two works in Germany. For example, the location in Neuss near Düsseldorf in mid-2026 and the work in Conov (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) is to be sold, as the company said in Frankfurt. Around 230 employees are affected.

The increasing price sensitivity of consumers and increased costs have led to overcapacity in recent years, said Nestlé. Together with the works council, solutions will be discussed, including further training measures and offers from partial retirement.

Production of Maggi and Thomy affected

The work in Neuss with around 145 employees produces Thomy oil, mayonnaise and mustard in glass, plastic bottles and tubes. For an external production solution, the oil filling is sought for oil filling, the glass and plastic bottle production is to go to other European countries.

The tube production for mustard and mayonnaise is also relocated to the location in Lüdinghausen near Münster. This would result in 30 jobs, these are to be offered from Neuss.

According to Nestlé, production at the Conow plant with around 80 employees will be ended in early 2026. The production of Maggi products is moved to other European countries. Talks with another German company are currently underway to take over the location.

Union criticizes Nestlé plans

The Trade Union Food Guest Gaststätten (NGG) criticized Nestlé’s decision. “The closure takes place in order to further increase this profitability, that is, out of pure profit greed at the expense of the employees,” said NGG boss Guido Zeitler.

Nestlé employs around 6,700 people in Germany and generated sales of around 3.3 billion euros in 2024. Like other consumer goods manufacturers, Nestlé has increased prices in recent years in order to pass on increased raw material costs to customers.

But in view of the inflation, consumers are increasingly relying on cheap own brands. This makes it more difficult for Nestlé to pass on increased costs. Nestlé 2024 had to cope with a decline in profits and sales across the Group.