The Boyce family gatherings often revolve around discussions about Nestlé, as generations of their family have been employed at the company’s Tutbury plant in Derbyshire. According to Sam Boyce, 58, the shared connection to Nestlé runs deep within their family history, dating back to World War II, making it a cherished part of their heritage.
The Tutbury factory, established in 1901, initially focused on canned milk production. Karen, Sam’s sister and a current Nestlé employee, fondly recalls their grandmother working there. Several uncles also had roles at the factory, which holds a central place in the local community.
In 1959, the factory transitioned to producing instant coffee and now churns out 170,000 jars of Nescafé daily, along with 25 million Nescafé Dolce Gusto pods every week and various Starbucks at Home products.
Throughout the years, Sam and Karen have witnessed the factory’s evolution and expansion, providing stability and job opportunities to their village. Sam, who began working at the plant in 1995, initially packed coffee sachets designed for Concorde flights. He reminisces about the camaraderie and fun atmosphere with colleagues that made work feel like spending time with friends.
Advancements in automation have revolutionized operations at the plant, significantly increasing efficiency. Sam’s progression to shift manager highlights the vast opportunities for career growth at Nestlé, affording him a fulfilling life with personal accomplishments like owning a motorbike, car, and traveling the world.
Karen, who joined Nestlé in 1998, initially worked part-time to balance her job with family commitments. Now a technical operator producing sachets for hotels, she takes pride in her work, especially when enjoying a cup of coffee on vacation, knowing she played a part in its creation.
Continuing the family legacy, Sam’s son Ryan, 38, serves as a lead operator and aspires to pursue engineering. Nestlé supports his career aspirations by sponsoring his NVQ level three in mechanical engineering. Ryan values the work-life balance that Nestlé enables, allowing him to be present for significant moments in his children’s lives, just as his father was for him.
While Nestlé has a rich UK heritage spanning generations and families, the company remains at the forefront of innovation, utilizing British expertise and technology to produce globally recognized coffee brands.