Privately-owned confectionery giant Ferrero is making a significant investment of C$445 million (approximately $321 million) to expand its production facility in Brantford, Canada.
According to a statement provided to Just Food, Ferrero’s Brantford factory will gain an additional 90,000 square feet of production space.
This investment will lead to the establishment of production lines for Nutella Biscuits and Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares, as confirmed by the Ontario government.
While Nutella Biscuits are already available in Canada, Ferrero plans to initiate local production of these snacks later this year. On the other hand, Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares will introduce a new product to the Canadian market; however, the company has not disclosed a specific launch date.
The provincial government is contributing C$36 million toward Ferrero’s expansion efforts, highlighting a strong partnership.
Ferrero has stated that the expansion will create 500 new jobs, boosting the workforce at the Brantford facility to over 1,800 full-time employees. This site plays a crucial role in supplying not only Canada but also other undisclosed factories.
“This expansion represents a commitment to Ferrero’s tremendous momentum in the region and will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and supply chain,” stated Omar Zausa, the president of Ferrero’s operations in Canada.
For the financial year ending August 31, 2024, Ferrero reported consolidated revenues of €18.4 billion, reflecting an 8.9% increase compared to the previous year. As of that date, the company operated 37 manufacturing facilities globally.
In August of last year, Ferrero also announced plans to invest approximately €170 million (equivalent to $189 million at that time) to upgrade its Stadtallendorf facility in central Germany. This site, operational since 1956, is set to undergo expansion with the addition of a new production hall, pending approval from the local Gießen Regional Council.
Moreover, in May of last year, Ferrero launched its first chocolate-processing plant in the United States, located in Bloomington, Illinois.
