Nestlé is expanding its Nescafé range with two confectionery-inspired frothy coffee products, backed by a £28 million investment in its UK manufacturing operations aimed at accelerating innovation and meeting growing consumer demand.
Rolling out to stores nationwide, the new additions are Nescafé KitKat White Flavour Latte and Nescafé Lion Flavour Mocha, combining two of the company's best-known confectionery brands with its Nescafé coffee range.
The launches have been supported by a recent £28m investment at Nestlé's Dalston factory in Cumbria, which the company said has increased production capacity and enabled it to bring new products to market more quickly.
Nescafé KitKat White Flavour Latte combines the taste of Nescafé coffee with the wafery sweetness of KitKat White, while Nescafé Lion Flavour Mocha blends the chocolate flavour of Lion with the brand's frothy coffee offering.
Ingrid Hayes, marketing director for Nescafé UK and Ireland, said the company's confectionery-inspired coffee launches had proved successful in attracting new shoppers to the category.
"Our Nestlé confectionery-inspired launches have been some of our most successful new product development in recent years, helping us bring hundreds of thousands of new shoppers into the coffee category," she said.
"With KitKat White Latte and Lion Mocha, we're building on that strong foundation, and with the investment we've made in our UK manufacturing, we're well placed to keep bringing exciting new products to market. We're looking forward to seeing consumers enjoy these latest additions."
Ian Pipes, factory manager at Nestlé's Dalston site, said the investment had improved manufacturing efficiency, increased output and enhanced recyclability, while supporting the company's sustainability ambitions.
"The investment last year has enabled advances in manufacturing processes, demonstrating our commitment to UK manufacturing," he said.
"It's improved efficiency and increased output, as well as enhancing recyclability. Together, these improvements are helping Nestlé meet consumer demand while making progress with our sustainability goals."
Nestlé said the rollout of the two products forms part of its wider strategy to drive growth through product innovation, brand collaboration and continued investment in UK manufacturing. The Dalston factory, which has produced Nescafé frothy coffees since 1962, has received around £100m of investment over the past decade.