By NKIRUKA NNOROM

Cadbury Nigeria Plc has disclosed that it has spent a total of $100 million in upgrading its facility in pursuit of the desire to increase output in accordance with growing demand for its product.

The Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Emil Moskofian, made the disclosure during a facility tour of the confectionery manufacturing company and launch of Cadbury Bournvita 500g pack and 500g refill pack, Friday, in Lagos.

Emil said that an additional $300 million would also be spent in the second phase of the upgrade, adding that the management aimed to increase its capacity utilisation and also satisfy increasing demand for Cadbury with the additional investment of $300 million.

He further disclosed Cadbury Bournvita recently received endorsement from Nutritional Society of Nigeria, NSN, the second endorsement so far from the society in five years, saying that it was a confirmation of the ‘the care we take in our production and processes and nutrition credentials of the product.

According to him, Cadbury Bournvita is the only food drink endorsed by NSN in Nigeria.

“The process of endorsement of Cadbury Bournvita by NSN took over 12 months; they were with us throughout 2012. They checked everything, including our processes, quality standard, inspection of the raw materials and facilities, including the production process and at the end, they were able to confirm that our product meets international standard.

“Cadbury is known with quality and we are not going to jeopardise that; at Cadbury Nigeria, safety, quality and hygiene are top on our priority,” he said.

Speaking on the new upsized Cadbury Bournvita 500g jar and 500g refill pack, Moskofian said, “This upsizing to 500g pack is aimed at adding more vitality to our consumers, giving more value with every purchase of Cadbury Bournvita.”