A Marseille-based Nestlé factory is to shed around a hundred jobs, a fifth of its workforce. Jean-Pierre Gey, the manager of the Saint-Menet production facility, yesterday told an extraordinary company meeting that the measures were necessary to ensure the site’s long-term health.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Keen to avoid suspicions that the move was a forerunner to radical job cuts of the scale recently announced by rival food group Danone, Gey insisted that the redundancies would be effected through “natural wastage” and voluntary departures.


The move comes as part of a two-year turnaround programme christened “Planète” which aims to save FF55m at the Marseille site. Some tasks will be automated as part of the overhaul, while some will be moved to Nestlé’s Dieppe plant.


The factory at Marseilles was built in 1952 and employed 1200 staff in the heyday of the 1980s. Last year it produced 30 000 tonnes of chocolate and 19 500 tonnes of coffee products.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now