Nestle USA, Glendale, Calif., is relocating its Nestle Pizza Division from its present location in Northbrook, Ill., to Solon, Ohio. The division’s brands include DIGIORNO, California Pizza Kitchen, Tombstone and Jack’s. The move is expected to be completed by mid-2014.

Nestle executive John Carmichael will return to the U.S. from his assignment as Nestle Zone Americas Deputy in Vevey, Switzerland, to become president of Nestle Pizza on Jan. 1. Paul Bakus, the current president of Nestle Pizza, has been named president of corporate affairs for Nestle in the market, effective Jan. 1.

“By moving Nestle Pizza to Ohio, we'll bring together terrific brands and powerful businesses that will create many more talent development opportunities for our Nestle employees,” says Nestle USA chairman and CEO Paul Grimwood. “The decision also allows us to better manage our costs and to improve our efficiencies by operating as One Nestle with our retailers.”

Employees in Northbrook were notified of the decision to move the business in late October. The majority will be offered the opportunity to relocate to Solon, where the company’s Nestle Prepared Foods and Nestle Baking businesses are also located.

Nestle Pizza Division’s pizza production bakeries in Little Chute and Medford, both in Wisconsin, will not be relocating to Ohio.

Source: Nestle USA, PR Newswire