On June 19, 2025, a group of 35 EPFL alumni from various departments gathered in Vevey for an exclusive tour of Nestlé's global headquarters. The visit provided an opportunity to go behind the scenes at one of the world's largest food companies, which has been based on the shores of Lake Geneva for over a century.

The visit began with a fascinating lecture tracing the history of Nestlé, from its founding in 1866 by Henri Nestlé to its evolution into a multinational company present in nearly 190 countries. Participants also gained insight into the major challenges facing the company today: sustainability, innovation, nutrition, and adapting to new consumer behaviors.

The second part of the visit took place in the visitor exhibition area. This interactive tour allowed participants to discover the world of the group's iconic brands such as KitKat, Nespresso, Maggi, and Perrier. The exhibition highlighted both the historical aspect of the products and recent innovations, all in a modern and immersive setting.

After this immersion in the world of Nestlé, the alumni continued their discussions over a convivial aperitif at the Corseaux Plages restaurant, located just a few steps away. Seated on the terrace overlooking Lake Geneva, the participants enjoyed an idyllic setting for networking and sharing their experiences in a relaxed, summery atmosphere.

This visit was a great opportunity to strengthen ties between alumni while discovering the inner workings of a flagship Swiss industry.

Takayoshi Goto AR'17
Member of the Committee of Chapter VD-VS