Ferrero cuts ribbon on new chocolate factory in Bloomington

Posted on May 7, 2024
The 70,000 square-foot expansion at Ferrero’s Bloomington facility is the company’s first chocolate processing plant in North America. (Twitter/Governor JB Pritzker)

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Local and state officials gathered on Tuesday for the grand opening of Ferrero’s chocolate factory in Bloomington.

The 70,000 square-foot expansion at Ferrero’s Bloomington facility is the company’s first chocolate processing plant in North America. Ferrero’s manufacturing campus in Bloomington will produce chocolate used in iconic products like Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, Butterfinger, and CRUNCH.

Gov. JB Pritzker said the $75 million investment from Ferrero builds on the company’s continued impact in Illinois.

“We have worked hard to make this one of the best states in the nation to do business, and to help companies like Ferrero deepen their roots here. Thank you to the folks at Ferrero for your commitment to the people of Illinois,” said Pritzker.

“We are beyond grateful for Ferrero’s commitment to Bloomington with what is the latest in a string of public and private investments marking our ascension as a hub for business development and expansion,” said Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe.

“Bringing Ferrero’s decades of experience making high-quality, world class chocolate to Illinois – the heart of America’s food and confections industry – is going to help us achieve our goal of being the sweets and treats leader in the market,” said Alanna Cotton, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America. “Ferrero and Bloomington are going to be greater together for years to come.” ​

Over 500 jobs have been created at the Bloomington facility. Ferrero has also partnered with Heartland Community College on an apprenticeship program to train and certify maintenance workers for the plant.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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