War breaks out across Europe and disrupts production for the company, but hostilities also drive demand for Nestlé dairy products, in the form of large government contracts. The Sustainable Agricultural Intiative Nestlé (SAIN) is launched to promote collaboration with local farmers. It aims to improve their living standards and ensure a sustainable supply of commodities. Chilled dairy products are increasingly popular, Nestlé buys French yogurt producer Chambourcy. In the early 1970s the latter launches the Sveltesse range of yoghurts, aimed at health- and weight-conscious consumers. Martin Lewis: What the Autumn Statement means for you – including wages, benefits, pensions, ISAs, housing, national insurance and more

Milk shortages in Switzerland mean that Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss has to surrender fresh milk supplies to help people in towns and cities. To meet demand for condensed milk from the warring nations, the company buys US refineries and signs supply agreements with Australian companies, which it later acquires.The post-war period is marked by growing prosperity, and people in the US and Europe spend money on machines that make life easier, such as refrigerators and freezers. They also favour convenience foods, and Nestlé Alimentana meets this need with new products including Nesquik and Maggi ready meals. Nestlé buys US pet food business Ralston Purina, and merges it with Nestlé Friskies Petcare to establish the new market leader in pet care, Nestlé Purina Petcare. Both employees and self-employed workers will pay less in National Insurance from next year, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced in today's Autumn Statement.

Nestlé articulates its Creating Shared Value approach to business for the first time, and launches its Nestlé Cocoa Plan and Nescafé Plan to further develop sustainable supply chains in cocoa and coffee. While strengthening its position in traditional segments, infant formula and frozen foods, Nestlé strengthens its focus on medical nutrition. Our history begins in 1866, when the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company opens the first European condensed milk factory in Switzerland. Henri Nestlé develops a breakthrough infant food in 1867, and in 1905 the company he founded merges with Anglo-Swiss, to form what is now known as the Nestlé Group. During this period cities grow and railways and steamships bring down commodity costs, spurring international trade in consumer goods. The outbreak of World War Two in 1939 affects virtually every market, but Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss continues to operate in difficult circumstances, supplying both civilians and armed forces. In 1947, the company adds Maggi soups and seasonings to its product range, and adopts the name Nestlé Alimentana. A growing focus on medical nutrition leads Nestlé to the acquire Novartis Medical Nutrition. It also buys baby food company Gerber and Swiss mineral waters concern Sources Minérales Henniez. Autumn Statement: Workers to pay less in national insurance – but rate cuts don't offset the freezing of personal tax thresholdsNestlé buys the Findus frozen food brand from Swedish manufacturer Marabou, and extends the brand to international markets. Findus is one of the first companies to sell frozen foods in Europe, from 1945. A competitive market for chocolate in Switzerland encourages Nestlé-Peter-Cailler-Kohler to innovate by launching Galak white chocolate and Rayon, a chocolate with honey and air bubbles, the next year. Vitamins are a major selling point for healthy products in the 1930s, and Nestlé launches vitamin supplement Nestrovit in 1936. By acquiring US-based Carnation Company for USD 3 billion, Nestlé adds brands such as Carnation and Coffee-Mate to its portfolio. It also enters the pet food business when it buys the Friskies brand.