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Brazilian candy protein bars. Nutrata and Nestlé Turn the Prestígio Candy Into a Protein Bar Published Oct 23, 2026 Nutrata and Nestlé are extending their candy-to-protein tie-ins with the 'Prestígio Protein Bar,' which reimagines the Brazilian sweet as a snack bar. It follows the brands' earlier 'Charge' crossover and layers a protein base with a grated coconut center and a milk chocolate shell. Milk concentrate and collagen provide 11g of protein in each 45g bar. Boxes of 12 are already available through Nutrata's Brazilian store for R$156.40, and retail availability in Brazil rolls out this week. The box format suits repeat buyers who want the bar on hand. A Nestlé candy name on a protein bar widens the category for buyers who want recognizable flavor cues without leaving the snack-bar aisle. Selling first through Nutrata's Brazilian store keeps the crossover focused on the market where Prestígio is already a known treat. Why this trend is growing. * Candy-branded Protein - Familiar confectionery names in functional formats create category expansion potential by reducing trial barriers for consumers seeking indulgent flavors with nutritional positioning. * Localized Flavor Crossovers - Regionally beloved sweets translated into wellness snacks can deepen market relevance while giving legacy brands new pathways into everyday consumption occasions. * Boxed Snack Replenishment - Multi-pack protein bar formats support repeat-use behavior and signal opportunities around pantry-stocking, subscription sales, and routine fitness-adjacent snacking. Industries being reshaped. * Functional Snacks - Protein-enhanced versions of nostalgic treats broaden the sector beyond performance users by blending convenience, taste familiarity, and better-for-you cues. * Confectionery - Established candy brands gain fresh relevance when their flavor equity migrates into adjacent health-oriented products without abandoning indulgent associations. * Sports Nutrition - Mainstream candy collaborations introduce more approachable flavor profiles that can help protein products appeal to casual consumers outside traditional gym-focused audiences. 50% Men 50% Women GENERATION * Gen Alpha * Gen X * Gen Z * Millennial Popularity

Food and beverage giant to close major US facility as efficiency drive reshapes manufacturing network. Solon factory closure: overview. * Nestlé will close its Solon pouch factory by end of 2027 * Production will relocate from Ohio to South Carolina * Nestlé cites changing demand and volumes for the decision * Solon research and development, and corporate operations will remain operational * Closure reflects industry shift towards larger, more efficient facilities Nestlé has announced the imminent closure of its Solon factory in the United States. The Ohio-based pouch manufacturing facility is due to close by the end of 2027, with operations moving to Gaffney, South Carolina. Explore related questions. "Our priority is supporting employees through this change by providing separation benefits and transition support in collaboration with state and local partners," said a spokesperson for the multinational. Though moving with the operation may prove impractical for many, given the considerable distance between the two locations. The company did, however, indicate that opportunities may be available at other Nestlé manufacturing facilities within Ohio. Why is Solon closing? Explaining the decision, Nestlé said shifting customer demand and production volumes meant expanding capabilities elsewhere in its manufacturing network was the most sustainable option, despite the Solon factory's long-standing role in its operations. "We understand that this decision is difficult, not only for employees, but also for the community members who have deep ties to the Solon factory," said a spokesperson. "It has been an important part of Nestlé's presence in Ohio for decades and will always be a part of our story." The decision reflects Nestlé's efforts to adapt its manufacturing footprint to changing customer demand and production needs. As volumes shift across its network, the company appears to be concentrating production in facilities that offer greater scale and efficiency. The maker of major brands including Nespresso, Quality Street, Shreddies, SMA and Purina emphasised that the closure applies only to manufacturing operations, with the wider Solon campus, which houses R&D and corporate operations, set to remain open. It also confirmed that all other Nestlé production facilities in the state, notably the Streetsboro Distribution Center and the West 25th factory in Cleveland are unaffected. Nestlé currently employs nearly 3,000 people across seven facilities in Ohio. It's not yet known exactly how many will be directly impacted by the changes. Consolidation trend. The closure reflects broader changes taking place across the food and beverage industry. Manufacturers are increasingly reassessing factory networks built up over decades as they look to reduce costs, improve efficiency and adapt to changing consumer demand. As a result, older facilities that no longer fit long-term operational strategies are coming under greater scrutiny. The decision also highlights the growing importance of capacity utilisation across the industry. As demand shifts between categories and regions, manufacturers are seeking to maximise output from their most efficient facilities rather than spreading production across multiple sites. Businesses are also simplifying manufacturing and supply chain networks that have become increasingly complex through years of acquisitions, expansion and evolving consumer preferences. The move to South Carolina is also consistent with a wider trend of food manufacturers investing in the US Southeast, attracted by factors such as available capacity, logistics advantages and opportunities to streamline operations. The move comes as manufacturers shift focus from price-driven growth to rebuilding volumes, making operational efficiency increasingly important for maintaining profitability. For Nestlé, the closure highlights the growing importance of operational efficiency within its wider growth strategy. While the company continues to invest in innovation and brand building, the Solon decision underscores how manufacturers are increasingly focusing on building leaner, more productive supply networks to support long-term growth and competitiveness.

Nestlé: Cat food and therapeutics support Q3 performance. Real internal growth for Purina accelerated to 4.3%, while pricing turned positive as the category gained market share across regions. The pet portfolio of Nestlé posted a 7% year-over-year (YoY) increase in sales, reaching CHF 4.6 billion ($5.67B/€5.06B) in the third quarter (Q3) of fiscal year (FY) 2026. Purina recorded organic growth of 5.3% in Q3 2026, up from 0.9% a year earlier, while RIG accelerated to 4.3% from 1.3%. Reported sales rose 7% year on year, from CHF 4.35 billion ($5.28B/€4.71B) to CHF 4.66 billion ($5.65B/€5.B). Pricing in pet care products turned positive in Q3 2026, reaching 1%, compared with -0.4% in Q3 2025. For the first nine months, pricing rose to 0.9% from -0.5% a year earlier. Overall, Nestlé reported total sales of CHF 22.8 billion ($27.7B/€24.7B) during the quarter, up 5.2% YoY, with organic growth of 4.0%. Strong cat food sales. The manufacturer attributed the performance to broad-based growth across geographies, driven by continued strength in cat food. On the other side, dog remained soft, partly reflecting the impact of warmer weather on consumption. Meanwhile, growth in therapeutics and supplements in Europe reached double digits, supported by focused investments. In Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA), Pro Plan, ONE and Felix all recorded strong growth, while continued investment in wet cat food reinforced Nestlé's leadership in the category across key markets. Regional performance. Petcare gained market share and delivered strong RIG across all segments. In Zone Americas, Petcare accounted for 30% of sales and achieved mid-single-digit organic growth, supported by strong performance in Latin America. In Europe, Petcare also contributed 30% of zone sales and recorded mid-single-digit organic growth. Wet cat food remained a key growth contributor, alongside double-digit organic growth in therapeutics and supplements, as well as strong e-commerce performance. Growth spanned markets and brands, with Felix and Pro Plan delivering double-digit organic growth. In Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA), Petcare represented 4% of sales, with organic growth accelerating to double digits. Growth strengthened in emerging markets and remained stable in developed markets. Pro Plan, ONE and Felix recorded strong growth, while continued investment in wet cat food reinforced the company's leadership in the category across key markets. Nine-month overview. For the first nine months of FY2026, Purina reported sales of CHF 13.6 billion ($17B/€14.69B), compared with CHF 13.58 billion ($16.5B / €14.7B) in the same period of 2025. Organic growth reached 3.5%, compared with 1.2% in the same period of 2025. Emerging-market petcare delivered around 10% organic growth from January to September 2026, double the rate recorded a year earlier. Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe pointed to rising pet populations and demand for higher-quality nutrition as key growth drivers, while highlighting the company's investment in consumer awareness and category development. Guidance. Nestlé reaffirmed its full-year guidance, expecting organic growth of 3% to 4%, with RIG accelerating compared with 2025, supported by its focused growth plans. UTOP margin is expected to improve compared with 2025, with the second-half margin forecast to remain broadly in line with the first half, excluding any tariff refunds. Free cash flow is expected to exceed CHF 9 billion ($10.95B/€9.78B). Following a Russian presidential decree issued on 17 September 2026, Nestlé lost operational control of the business and deconsolidated its Russian operations from its financial results at the end of September. According to the company, the deconsolidation of its Russian operations is expected to have a limited impact on the full-year results. The company therefore continues to expect the second-half margin to be broadly in line with the first half, excluding any benefits from tariff refunds. Nestlé has operated in Russia since the 1990s, with six factories producing coffee, pet food and infant formula, among other products. The business employs around 7,000 people and contributed approximately 2% of Group sales. Free articles read this month One click prioritizes GlobalPETS in your search results and AI answers.