Ferrero North America has broken ground on its Kinder Bueno production facility in Bloomington, Illinois.

The $214.4 million investment will add 200 jobs to Ferrero's existing manufacturing footprint in Bloomington. State and local leaders, including Governor JB Pritzker, U.S. 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," said Alanna Cotton, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America. "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. 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 facility will support the North American growth of Kinder Bueno, which Ferrero launched in the market in 2019. It has since become the No. 7 brand in the category, growing by 26 percent since last year. The expansion represents the first time Kinder products will be made in North America.

The facility, which will add 169,000 sq. ft. to Ferrero's existing manufacturing campus in Bloomington, is slated to open in 2024.

"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."

"Ferrero's expansion here shows why Illinois is the hub of America's food and confections industry. Our incredible workers and world-class infrastructure are fueling innovation and growth," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. "We thank Ferrero for making our state their chocolate manufacturing home in America — these investments are playing an important role in Illinois' continued economic success."

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 R&D 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.

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 Company is Ferrero's design-build partner responsible for the engineering and construction of the project.