Nestle Prepared Foods Company, Solon, Ohio, said it is relocating itsHot PocketsandLean Pocketsfrozen sandwiches and snacks business from Englewood, Colo., to Solon. The move comes about 10 years after Nestle purchased the former Chef America business in 2002.
No timeline for the move was discussed. Officials noted that some jobs will be eliminated while Nestle is transferring some posts and encouraging still more employees to consider moving to Ohio.
"We believe the opportunities for shared learning and continued progress -- both for our employees and our business -- are greater with all our teams working together," said Frank Higgins, Nestle Prepared Foods president and CEO.
Other Nestle brands and businesses in Solon include Stouffer's and Lean Cuisine frozen meals, Buitoni refrigerated pastas and sauces, Nestle Toll House baking ingredients and refrigerated cookie dough, Libby's pumpkin products and Nestle Carnation milks.
Nestle's Solon campus already boasts more than 1,900 people. Its offices include the Nestle Professional (foodservice) Culinary Center and Nestle Business Services functions. Officials said Swiss parent Nestle SA also chose Solon as home for its global frozen and chilled foods R&D center.