Ferrero to increase production in US with new chocolate plant in Illinois

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Ferrero has announced plans to expand its operations in Bloomington Illinois. Pic: Fererro Group

Ferrero has announced plans to build its first chocolate production plant in North America, the company has announced.

The new manufacturing centre will be an expansion of Ferrero’s Bloomington facility and will allow the company to produce chocolate for Crunch,100Grand, SnoCaps, Raisinets, Goobers, Ferrero Rocher and other Ferrero products made in North America.

Ferrero North America, part of the global confectionery company Ferrero Group, said the $75m expansion will add 70,000 square feet to Ferrero’s current 2501 Beich Road footprint, and construction will start in spring 2021. It is anticipated to create approximately 50 local jobs.

"As a family company, we are proud to have a long track record of investments in local manufacturing infrastructure over the last 70 years. We are therefore delighted to announce that construction will begin on Ferrero’s first chocolate manufacturing centre in North America - a key strategic market for us. This investment represents an important milestone as we continue to expand our offering of high-quality products for consumers across North America,” said Giovanni Ferrero, Executive Chairman of the Ferrero Group.

North America will be home to our third chocolate manufacturing plant in the world. This investment strengthens our commitment to the region and will play a crucial role in meeting our global growth goals,” said Lapo Civiletti, CEO of the Ferrero Group.

The news follows other significant investments in North America from Ferrero, including the expansion of its North American headquarters in New Jersey, opening of new distribution centres in Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia, and management of two facilities in Franklin Park, Illinois, as well as the plant in Bloomington.