Gympie Nestle factory celebrating 34 years of coffee

One of Gympie’s biggest employers has spent the last three decades making coffee. Here’s a look at its rich history.

This Friday, October 1, is international coffee day – a day to celebrate and thank those who have worked hard to provide us with our favourite hot beverage.

An especially important part of Gympie’s history is the Nestlé factory, located on the outskirts of Gympie’s CBD on Pine St, which has spent the last 34 years manufacturing Nescafé

The factory is one of the biggest employers in Gympie with 150 workers, and produces coffee loved worldwide with $20 million worth of product exported internationally; mostly to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Nestlé Oceania Communications Manager Amanda Anrich said the factory began as a dry milk manufacturer in 1953 before transitioning to a coffee factory in 1987.

“The factory has produced numerous coffee products over the years. In 1991 Andronicus Roast and Ground production moved from Castle Hill Sydney to Gympie and in 1997 the factory began producing the iconic Nescafé Blend 43,” she said.

Today, the Gympie factory roasts, fills and packs approximately 14 million cups of coffee each day.

Ms Anrich said the factory had been working towards a sustainable future, with 60 per cent of the factory’s energy needs met by predominantly using spent coffee grounds.

She said the factory has plans to continue investing in sustainability-driven projects to increase packaging recyclability and reduce water and energy consumption.

It comes as Nestlé recently announced a partnership with Foodbank Australia to provide 220,000 tins, or 12.5 million cups, of Blend 43 coffee to those in need.

Foodbank Australia CEO Brianna Casey said coffee was one of the most in-demand items in charities across the country and many people the charity supported had become socially isolated.

“Having coffee in the cupboard can play a significant role in helping to keep people connected – and this collaboration will mean we can ensure a reliable supply.”

Nestlé General Manager of Beverages, Andrew McIver said Nescafé was committed to helping bring people together.

“While that may not be possible for all Aussies to do right now, a hot cuppa can often be just the ticket to also take an important break – which is something many of us need now, more than ever,” he said.