Ferrero Injecting $214M into Illinois Plant Expansion

Chocolate maker Ferrero North America is preparing to invest $214.4 million to expand its chocolate processing and manufacturing facility in Bloomington, IL, the company announced Tuesday. 169,000 sq ft will be added to the site’s footprint to boost production of Kinder Bueno products.

“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 for Ferrero North America, said in a release. “We are thrilled to continue growing here with the invaluable support of the City of Bloomington, McLean County, and the State of Illinois.”

The project will enable the company to manufacture Kinder brand chocolates in the US for the first time. Launched in the North American market in 2019, Kinder Bueno is currently a $167 million brand in the region.

“Being able to make Kinder Bueno right here in North America will help us build on our tremendous momentum and continue meeting consumer demand,” said Catherine Bertac, senior vice president of Marketing, Kinder at Ferrero North America, in a statement.

Work on the site is expected to begin this fall and reach completion by 2024. 200 new jobs will be created over a four-year period.