Ferrero invests US$445M in its Ontario facility to expand product line
The investment marks the first time Nutella Biscuits and Ferrero Rocher chocolate will be manufactured outside of Europe.
USA – Ferrero, an Italian multinational company renowned for its confectionery products, has announced a US$445 million investment in its Brantford plant to capture a larger share of the booming market in the USA.
As reported by Just Food, the privately owned confectionery company stated that the factory’s capacity will increase by 90,000 square feet.
Ferrero confirmed that the expansion will generate 500 new jobs once the work is finished, bringing Ferrero’s workforce in Ontario to over 1,800 full-time employees.
Ferrero stated that Nutella Biscuits, already available in Canada, will soon have production established in Ontario. Following their latest announcement, operations are expected to commence by late 2026.
Omar Zausa, President of Ferrero Canada, said, “This is another crucial milestone in Ferrero’s history. This expansion represents a commitment to Ferrero’s tremendous momentum in the region and will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and supply chain.
“This investment will also accelerate the growth of our Nutella and Ferrero Rocher power brands, further solidifying our presence in stores.”
The Ontario government said that the investment will facilitate the launch of new production lines for the manufacturing of Nutella Biscuits and Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares outside of Europe.
The province added that Ferrero would also use the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced robotics to digitalise production and improve productivity.
To support the investment, the government is contributing C$36m through the Invest Ontario Fund to Ferrero’s investment.
Ferrero Canada Brantford Plant Canada Industrial senior vice-president Eric Houdet said: “As the largest employer in Brantford, this investment and hundreds of new employees will bolster the local economy and help us bring amazing treats to more people worldwide.”
Ferrero invests US$189M in modernising German facility
Recently, the company also announced a €170 million (US$189 million) investment to modernise its production facility in Stadtallendorf, central Germany.
The investment is part of Ferrero’s ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability and efficiency at the facility.
The company, known for iconic brands like Ferrero Rocher and Nutella, stated that this expansion will focus on optimising sustainability in the operation of the entire plant.
The new production hall will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which will improve energy efficiency and meet modern sustainability standards.
Ferrero emphasized that this project is crucial for securing the site’s future and maintaining jobs in the region.
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