HAVE a break – have a recession-proof KitKat. That, at least, seems to be the message coming out of Nestlé. The confectionery conglomerate is reporting a buoyant start to the year, with sales of the chocolate wafer bar rising by 16 per cent in the first three months of the year.

Much of the firm’s success is rooted in the York-made bar – and how fitting that this popular product should come from a city known for its chocolate. Time may move on, but York can still show the way with good chocolate snacks.

Obviously, these are difficult days and many firms are feeling the pinch or worse. But the continued rise of Nestlé shows a flip-side to all the gloom, and proves that not all news from the business world is bad news – something this newspaper has been keen to stress, with our York Means Business campaign.

There is no doubt that Nestlé means business, and that the firm remains committed to York, after making an investment of £30 million in new infrastructure.

So how encouraging it is to see Nestlé bucking the trend with such a strong start to a largely troubled economic year.

The lesson here, perhaps, is that not all companies perform poorly during a recession. Nestlé has succeeded by tightening up its production process, and also by providing a product that fits the times.

The KitKat is familiar, an old friend to call on when a moment’s comfort is required.

A small, inexpensive treat can be just the thing when the going is tough, which is why confectionery remains a mostly thriving business.

Clearly, there has been pain along the way, as the company has restructured its Haxby Road factory, a process which began in September 2006, and is now complete.

Here’s hoping that York continues to play an important part in pushing Nestlé forwards.