Switzerland-based confectionery company Nestle saw profits and revenues rise as it hailed 2011 as a “strong year”.

The Kit-Kat and Yorkie maker posted net profits which were up 8% on the previous year to 9.5 billion Swiss francs (£6.6 billion), on revenues excluding currency rates up 7.5% to 83.6 billion Swiss francs (£58 billion).

The international company praised the UK’s performance in the face of tough economic conditions, announcing £500 million of investment in the region over the next three years.

The investment will fund projects including the new Nescafe coffee plant at Tutbury in Derbyshire, the extension of Nestle’s product technology centre in York and the launch of a new head office near Gatwick.

UK and Ireland chairman and CEO Paul Grimwood said the funding would establish the next generation of “world-class manufacturing facilities”, adding: “This is a real sign of our confidence and commitment in the UK in the long term.”