Ferrero North America, part of Ferrero Group, has broken ground on its new Kinder Bueno production facility in Bloomington, Illinois. The US$214.4 million investment into the facility will create 200 new jobs to the company’s existing manufacturing footprint in Bloomington.
State and local leaders including Governor JB Pritzker, US Senator 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,” said Alanna Cotton, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America. “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 North American growth of Kinder Bueno, which was launched in 2019 and has since grown 26% since last year. The expansion marks the first time that Kinder products will be made in North America.
“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,” commented JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor. “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.”
“This groundbreaking is a logical step in what has been a series of transformational investments by Ferrero in our community,” added Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe. “Beyond providing jobs, Ferrero has been a wonderful community partner, supporting community events and organizations. We look forward to a prosperous future together.”
The 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 due to open a new Innovation Center which will include new R&D labs and offices for its cookies, cones and crusts brand teams in Chicago.
Ghafari Associates provided architectural and engineering design services for the bid documents associated with the production facility. They will also provide technical support and on-site construction supervision.
The new facility, which will add 169,000 square feet to Ferrero’s existing manufacturing campus in Bloomington, is expected to open in 2024.
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