From its manufacturing plant in Jebel Ali, Nestle Dubai Manufacturing can turn out more than two billion KitKat bars every year, or 5,000 per minute.
More than 400 people currently work at the National Industries Park factory, producing not only the traditional two-finger version of the chocolate treat, but more than 38 KitKat products.
Some of them are flavoured to Middle Eastern tastes, with caramel or hazelnut, while Dubai also creates the 'KitKat Moments' range in cherry brownie, strawberry cheesecake, creme brulee and tiramisu.
The Dubai factory opened in 2010 as part of the company's global expansion, and now supplies 26 countries worldwide with much-loved KitKats.
But the story of the KitKat goes back much further, to Britain in the 18th century when a man called Christopher Catt, or possibly Catling, established a political club for supporters of the Whig Party in London.
In those days, the name Christopher was often shortened to Kit, and so the club became known as the Kit Cat club and then KitKat.
It developed a reputation for the excellence of its mutton pies, which were offered to members as a bite to eat. Over time, the term KitKat became popularly associated with a tasty snack of any kind.
Step forward to the 1930s, and the Rowntree’s confectionery company in York, northern England. Following a suggestion from an employee to “make a snack that a man could take to work in his pack”, the first KitKat rolled off the production line in September 1935.
Except it wasn’t called the KitKat, but the decidedly less snappy Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.
Rowntree’s had previously trademarked the names KitKat and KitCat and briefly used them for a discontinued line of chocolates. In 1937, someone had the bright idea of reviving it for the new snack, and the KitKat as we know it had arrived.
Produced in four and two-finger versions, and with its distinctive red wrapper, the new bar was an immediate hit. Branded the “Biggest Little Meal in Britain”, it was particularly popular among office workers looking for a quick energy burst.
During the Second World War, eating a KitKat became practically a patriotic duty, although food shortages meant dark rather than milk chocolate was used, and the bar’s wrapper changed to blue.
In the 1950s, the KitKat went global, with exports to Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It was also the decade when the famous advertising catchline “Have a break” was created.
KitKats were now taking over the world. A factory in Germany was built to satisfy European demand, and by 2010 the Guinness Book of Records had certified the chocolate bar as the most sold in the world, with 14 factories supplying 72 countries.
In 1970, the American chocolate company Hershey struck a licensing deal with Rowntree’s in 1970, which was bought by Nestle in 1988.
In Japan, the KitKat was introduced by the Fujiya chain of confectionery stores, with only moderate success.
But around 2003, local managers discovered that teenagers were giving the bars to each other as good luck tokens for exams. The name KitKat sounded like the Japanese phrase “kitto katsu”, meaning “you will surely win”.
Capitalising on this, another phrase “Kitto sakura saku yo”, or “wishes come true”, was adopted as an advertising slogan, with teenagers regarding the KitKat as a universal symbol of good fortune.
Not content with mere chocolate, Japanese factories have since produced about 300 different flavours, including sake, sweet potato, Hokkaido melon with mascarpone cheese, and wasabi.
Although not yet mutton pies.
A version of this article was first published on July 26, 2022
How it works
A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank
Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night
The charge is stored inside a battery
The ratio is that for every minute you crank, it provides 10 minutes light on the brightest mode
A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes
This gives 1.1 hours of light on high mode or 2.5 hours of light on low mode
When more light is needed, it can be recharged by winding again
The larger version costs between $18-20 and generates more than 15 hours of light with a 45-minute charge
No limit on how many times you can charge
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
pakistan Test squad
Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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