USA – Ferrero North America, a division of the global sweet-packaged food company Ferrero Group, has officially opened its new Kinder Bueno production facility in Bloomington, Illinois.
The 169,000 square foot expansion, built with a US$214 million investment, is part of Ferrero’s existing manufacturing campus, which produces popular brands such as Crunch, 100 Grand, and Raisinets.
This facility marks Ferrero’s first-ever chocolate factory outside of Europe and is expected to significantly boost its market presence in the US.
The expansion, first announced in November 2022, has created approximately 200 new jobs and is seen as a key driver for Ferrero’s growth in the American market.
Michael Lindsey, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “This new project will help us increase Ferrero’s incredible momentum and innovations here in the US market.
Kinder Bueno quickly became an American favorite after being introduced just five years ago, and with the support of leaders in Illinois, the Bloomington community, and our valued retail partners like Walmart, the brand will continue to grow and thrive.”
Since its launch in late 2019, Kinder Bueno has achieved notable success, ranking 17th in sales among mainstream chocolate brands and generating more than US$214 million in retail sales over the past year. A
longside other Kinder products, such as Kinder Joy and Kinder Chocolate, the brand has grown into a half-billion-dollar power brand in the US since its introduction in 2017.
Ferrero’s commitment to growth extends beyond the US.
In August, the company invested €170 million (US$189M) to modernize its facility in Stadtallendorf, Germany, as part of its global expansion strategy.
The upgrades, focused on energy efficiency and sustainability, are expected to be completed by 2025.
In FY 2023, Ferrero reported a 20.7 percent increase in turnover, reaching €17 billion (US$18.84B), driven by both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Wells Enterprises.
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