Parsippany-based Ferrero North America has made significant investments in North America in recent years, including the expansion of its North American headquarters in New Jersey and establishing new distribution centers in Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia.
Last fall in Bloomington, Illinois, the company broke ground on its first-ever chocolate processing facility outside Europe. On Monday, Ferrero Group announced plans to invest up to $214.4 million to expand the chocolate processing and product manufacturing plant. The 169,000-square-foot addition will be dedicated to producing Kinder Bueno, a popular Ferrero premium chocolate bar in Europe that launched in the U.S. in 2019.
Construction of the expansion is projected to start by fall and is anticipated to create up to 200 new jobs over a four-year period. The new expansion will be one of the largest production lines built by Ferrero outside of Europe. The new facility is set to open in 2024.
“The investments we’re making in Bloomington are fueling continued growth for Ferrero in North America and are also creating important job opportunities in the community,” Todd Siwak, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, said. “We are thrilled to continue growing here with the invaluable support of the city of Bloomington, McLean County and the state of Illinois.”
“We thank Ferrero for its vote of confidence in Illinois and for bringing more opportunity and jobs to the Bloomington-Normal region,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.
The new line — which will manufacture Kinder Bueno bars and minis — represents the first time Kinder products will be made in North America. First launched in the market in 2019, Kinder Bueno is now a $167 million brand in North America, growing more than 51% over the past year.
