NESTLé has completed a huge restructuring of its York factory – and marked the moment with bumper sales of top chocs such as KitKat.

The confectionery giant said today that in these tough times, shoppers wanted small and inexpensive treats and were turning to brand such as KitKat which they knew and trusted.

Managing director David Rennie said sales of the chocolate wafer bar soared by 16 per cent in the first three months of this year, with Easter egg sales up by 8.4 per cent. “We have had a strong start to 2009,” he said. “Nestlé is continuing to invest in our brands this year, to ensure consumers can continue to enjoy great tasting and great value confectionery.”

His comments appear to vindicate the predictions last December of his predecessor, Paul Grimwood, that 2009 was set to be a success despite the recession. Mr Grimwood told The Press then that the company was ready to meet the challenge of tough times ahead after making a £30 million investment in new infrastructure, and after increasing its market share in 2008.

“We’ve made the changes we needed to make in York to ensure we are fit for the future,” he said. “While the outlook for 2009 is challenging for any business, we are in a strong position to face the new economic environment.”

Nestlé shocked York when it launched its restructuring of the Haxby Road factory in September 2006 in a bid to make it more efficient and competitive. The changes included 645 redundancies, controversial new terms and conditions for workers and the departure of some key brands such as Smarties for factories elsewhere in Britain and on the Continent.

But it also meant the launch of new production facilities on the northern, modern end of the site – such as a new plant to make Aeros.

At the same time, production in the old former Rowntree buildings on the southern end of the site came to an end, freeing up the site for a major re-development.

A spokeswoman said today that the restructuring had now been completed.