'This factory is part of our heritage' - how one food and drink company links a family across the generations

Food and drink are vital to any family gathering, and when the Boyce family get together, their chatter soon turns to Nestlé - with generations of Boyces having worked at the company’s Tutbury factory in Derbyshire.

“We’ve all got Nestlé in common,” says Sam Boyce, 58. “When you look back at the people who have worked there in our family, you can trace it back through World War II. It’s special. It’s part of our heritage.”

The Tutbury factory began life in 1901, producing tinned milk. Sam’s sister Karen, who also works for Nestlé, remembers their nana working there.

Numerous uncles also clocked in at the factory, which sits at the heart of the local community.

In 1959, it switched to manufacturing instant coffee, and now produces 170,000 jars of Nescafé every day, 25 million Nescafé Dolce Gusto pods a week, and a variety of Starbucks at Home products.

Over the decades, Sam and Karen have seen the factory change and grow, and the company has continued to provide their village with stability and employment opportunities.

Sam started there in 1995, packing sachets of coffee created especially for Concorde: “It was such a laugh because we could talk and joke. It didn’t feel like going to work; it felt like being with your mates!

“It’s all automatic nowadays, and that’s a big step forward. What would take us a couple of days to do now takes a couple of hours.”

Sam has since worked his way up to become a shift manager: “The opportunities are fantastic, and it gives you a great life. Everything I’ve ever wanted – a motorbike, car, holidays around the world – I’ve got.

“You also get to visit other countries and see the way they work – I’ve been to Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden with Nestlé.”

Karen, 63, who joined in 1998, says: