The investment, which has increased production capacity by 50% and created 250 direct and indirect jobs, is the latest the company has made to expand its global manufacturing operations this year.

In May Nestlé Purina announced it would invest more than CHF 29 million in its factory in Australia, followed in August by an investment of more than CHF 54 million in its factory in Hungary.

The company is one of the world's largest pet food manufacturers, with global sales of more than CHF 13 billion in 2010.

Wider investment programme

Nestlé Purina's investment in the factory in Argentina has added a third production line for dry food for cats and dogs, as well as two new packaging lines.

It is part of a wider 150 million Argentine pesos expansion programme the company began in 2010 to improve the Santo Tomé site.

This has enabled the installation of new production technologies, increased storage capacity for raw materials, and improved ingredient mixing facilities.

The factory has a new administrative building, training centre and an expanded waste treatment plant. It has introduced further measures to reduce water and energy consumption.

Nestlé in Argentina

Nestlé has been present in Argentina for more than 80 years.

The company's headquarters are located in Buenos Aires. It operates seven factories across the country and employs a total of more than 1,900 people.

Nestlé brands in Argentina include Nescafé coffee, Nido milk powder, Nestum infant cereals, Maggi culinary products, Trix breakfast cereals, Nespresso premium portioned coffee, Frigor ice cream and Eco de los Andes bottled water.

The range of Nestlé Purina pet food available in Argentina includes Dog Chow, Cat Chow, Pro Plan, Friskies, Dogui and Gati.