Location, Location, Location: Nestlé USA Finds Continued Success in Arlington Headquarters 

The Right Place at the Right Time

After many years in California, Nestlé USA was ready for a change. The world’s leading nutrition, health, and wellness brand wanted to be closer to its global parent company, its subsidiary operations and factories. A move east would bring it closer to its world headquarters in Switzerland, and its consumer base — in 2017, 80% of the company’s products were sold east of the Mississippi River. In addition, the majority of its subsidiary brands’ facilities are located in the eastern half of the United States.

Virginia offered an ideal location, ensuring Nestlé USA’s new headquarters would be within a few hours of many of its operations, as well as major U.S. cities. Arlington County also offered a unique proximity to decision-makers and key groups on Capitol Hill. Nestlé USA invested $39.8 million in the facility, creating 748 new jobs.

Quality of Life and a World-Class Workforce

Northern Virginia’s robust, diverse workforce also played a critical role in the decision. Arlington County is recognized as one of the most educated areas in the nation, with new graduates from the Commonwealth’s many acclaimed colleges and universities flocking to Northern Virginia and creating, ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline.

Arlington’s quality of life, public transportation, strong public school system, and other assets attracted Nestlé USA as well.

When we thought about relocating our headquarters, it was really about finding the right location that gave us access to the right talent and the right kind of infrastructure we needed to succeed for the next 100 years, and that turned out to be Virginia. What we found in Northern Virginia is the talent we need to win, and it’s exceeded our expectations.

Steve Presley, Executive Vice President and CEO, Nestlé Zone Americas

Rising Above the Competition

Virginia and Arlington County made bold proposals to win such a competitive project. Nestlé USA was awarded a grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and a Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant, which incentivizes companies to locate significant headquarters, administrative, or other operations in Virginia. Arlington County also offered performance grants and infrastructure updates, as well as relocation assistance for Nestlé USA employees.

VEDP worked with Arlington Economic Development to organize a workforce partners’ roundtable after the project was announced that convened area universities, community colleges, workforce investment boards, and veterans’ resources.

A Rewarding Ripple Effect

Just one year after Nestlé USA relocated, Nestlé S.A. subsidiary Gerber Products Company announced plans to do the same, moving its headquarters from New Jersey to Arlington County.

Gerber’s move created 150 new jobs in a variety of corporate functions. With the two entities now under one roof, Nestlé occupies more than 300,000 square feet on 14 floors of the 35-story high-rise at 1812 North Moore Street. In 2021, another Nestlé subsidiary, Nestlé Purina Pet Care, invested $182 million to expand its cat litter manufacturing plant in King William County on the Middle Peninsula, creating 20 new jobs.

The relocation of two iconic global brands and the expansion of a third is a powerful testament to the advantages of Virginia’s strategic location, infrastructure, and top-rated talent, and reaffirms the Commonwealth’s role as a prime location for innovative, high-profile companies.