Parsippany-based Ferrero North America on Wednesday broke ground on its new Kinder Bueno production facility in Bloomington, Illinois. The $214.4 million investment will add 200 new jobs to Ferrero’s existing manufacturing footprint in Bloomington.
The new facility, which will add 169,000 square feet to Ferrero’s existing manufacturing campus in Bloomington, is slated to open in 2024.
State and local leaders, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Sylvia Garcia joined Ferrero executives in a ceremony to celebrate the milestone.
“This investment will fuel our momentum in North America, a strategic growth area for Ferrero. Enhancing our manufacturing capabilities in the market is key to driving our innovation agenda and advancing Ferrero’s goal of becoming a world leader in snacks and confectionery,” Alanna Cotton, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, said. “We’re grateful for the strong partnerships we have with state and local leaders here, and proud that our expansion is part of Bloomington’s amazing success story.”
The new facility will support the North American growth of Kinder Bueno, which Ferrero launched in the market in 2019 and has since made the No. 7 brand in the category, growing by 26% since last year. The expansion represents the first time Kinder products will be made in North America.
This groundbreaking represents the latest milestone in Ferrero’s growth and investment in North America over the past few years. A chocolate processing facility is currently under construction on the company’s Bloomington campus, and it recently expanded its capacity in its Brantford, Ontario, plant.
In 2023, the company is slated to open a new Innovation Center that will include new research & development labs and offices for its cookies, cones and crusts brand teams in Chicago. Ferrero’s North American presence now totals more than 4,400 employees in eight offices and 12 plants and warehouses in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.
“Central Illinois sits in the heart of our nation, so it’s only fitting that it serves as the heart of Ferrero’s North American operations: CRUNCH, 100 Grand, Raisinets and now Kinder Bueno, all made right here,” Pritzker said. “This expansion is a testament to Illinois’ quality workforce and reputation on the global stage, and especially the quality workforce right here in Central Illinois. I want to thank the entire Ferrero team for their partnership. Here’s to years of success for Ferrero and economic prosperity for the entire Bloomington-Normal metro area.”
Ghafari Associates provided architectural and engineering design services for the bid documents associated with the production facility. Additionally, Ghafari will provide technical support and on-site construction supervision. The Austin Co. is Ferrero’s design-build partner responsible for the engineering and construction of the project.
