Ferrero invests US$75M in a new manufacturing facility in North America in expansion strategy 

USA – Ferrero, the renowned confectionary company, has launched its third chocolate manufacturing facility globally and its inaugural site in North America.

Investing US$75 million into a 70,000-square-foot processing facility in Bloomington, Illinois, Ferrero is poised to produce some of its most beloved North American treats, including Crunch, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Butterfinger. 

Alanna Cotton, Chief Business Officer and President of Ferrero North America, expressed excitement, stating, Introducing Ferrero’s decades of chocolate-making expertise to Illinois—the hub of America’s food and confectionary industry—will propel us toward our ambition of leading the sweets and treats market. Ferrero and Bloomington are set for a prosperous partnership.” 

Furthermore, Ferrero plans to construct a US$214 million Kinder Bueno production factory on the same manufacturing campus. 

The development is anticipated to create over 200 jobs and bolster product availability across North America. 

Mboka Mwilambwe, Mayor of Bloomington, lauded Ferrero’s investments as pivotal to the community’s remarkable growth, looking ahead to continued prosperity. 

This initiative follows the establishment of a 45,000-square-foot innovation center in Chicago, launched in September, which streamlined Ferrero’s research and development efforts. 

The center serves as a hub for teams working on brands like Fannie May, Mother’s, Famous Amos, and Keebler, with its 150 employees collaborating to enhance popular products such as Crunch, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Butterfinger. 

The manufacturing campus is poised to produce products refined through the R&D facility, signaling Ferrero’s commitment to growth and innovation in North America. 

These investments underpin Ferrero’s expansion strategy in North America, fostering an environment for producing top-quality items, refining existing offerings, and consistently meeting customer expectations. 

They are projected to drive market share growth in the North American confectionary and snacks sector. 

Meanwhile, CTH Invest, a Belgian holding company affiliated with the Ferrero Group, began negotiations last year to acquire Michel et Augustin from Paris-based Danone. 

Michel et Augustin specializes in producing and marketing a variety of sweet and savory biscuits and snacks, with its brands predominantly sold in France and six other markets. 

Founded in 2004 by Augustin Paluel-Marmont and Michel de Rovira, Michel et Augustin saw investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures in 2016 when they acquired a 40% stake.

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