Across Nestlé USA, some of the most meaningful progress happens when teams choose to take on something new—before there’s a clear path forward. It’s in these moments that teams lean on each other, figure things out together, and create something better than what existed before.

Here’s how one team brought that mindset to life.

Building the First of its Kind

The project

At our Springville, Utah facility, one cross-functional team came together to transform Line 5—moving from manual noodle placement to a fully automated robotic system. It was a major shift, introducing new technology and entirely new ways of working on the production floor.

The opportunity

This wasn’t just an upgrade—it was the first automated line of its kind in the meals division at the site. With no clear roadmap to follow, the team was stepping into unfamiliar territory.

They needed to:

• Learn and adapt to new automation and programming systems
• Train operators on processes they’d never worked with before
• Work through challenges in real time while keeping production needs front of mind

The opportunity was clear: build something new that could elevate how the team operates—while bringing everyone along in the process.

How the team showed up

From the start, this work was shared.

Teams from production, engineering, maintenance, and leadership worked side by side, staying closely connected as the project evolved. They leaned on each other’s strengths, kept communication open, and adjusted as they learned more about how the system performed.

Without a defined playbook, the team moved forward by:

• Trusting each other’s expertise
• Staying open to feedback and making changes along the way
• Supporting one another through new challenges and learning curves

What made the difference was the environment they created—one where people felt supported stepping into something new, knowing they weren’t doing it alone.

The impact

The results reflected the team’s ability to take on something unfamiliar and make it work.

• 14 consecutive weeks of consistent, successful production runs
• Successful launch of the first automated line in the meals division at the site
• Expanded capabilities across the team, especially in automation and technical expertise

Beyond the numbers, the project helped build confidence—showing what’s possible when teams embrace change and work through challenges together.

What They Learned

Coming out of this experience, one thing stood out: real growth happens when teams are willing to move outside of what’s comfortable.

The team gained:

• A deeper understanding of automation and how it supports the business
• Stronger cross-functional connections and collaboration
• A clearer view into how each role contributes to a shared outcome

Most importantly, they saw firsthand how progress is built—not by having all the answers from the start, but by working together, learning along the way, and staying committed to the end goal.

Moving Forward, Together

Every team at Nestlé has moments where the path isn’t fully defined. What matters is how we show up in those moments—supporting each other, staying open, and continuing to move forward.

Because in the end, it’s not about having a perfect plan. It’s about building something better, together.