Italian confectionery giant Ferrero Group has announced a major expansion of its Brantford, Ontario production facility, committing $445 million to significantly grow its operations in Canada. The investment will support the creation of 500 new jobs, bolstering Ferrero’s position as the largest private employer in the city.

The project marks a significant milestone for Ferrero, as it includes the company’s first-ever product launch outside of Europe, underscoring Canada’s growing role in Ferrero’s global operations. The upgraded plant will begin producing Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares and is also expected to support new production lines for popular products like Nutella Biscuits, which until now have only been manufactured in Europe.

"This historic investment signals tremendous confidence in Ontario's workforce and economic potential," said Premier Doug Ford, who joined Ferrero executives and Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, for the official announcement. "Our government will continue working to make Ontario a magnet for global business investment."

Ferrero’s expansion will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies, including IoT systems and robotics, to enhance efficiency and support increased production. Once complete, the company’s Ontario workforce will grow to over 1,800 employees.

To support the initiative, the Province of Ontario is contributing $36 million through the Invest Ontario Fund.

“This is a major win for Brantford and a clear endorsement of Ontario’s competitive strengths in talent, supply chains, and innovation,” said Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario.

The announcement strengthens the longstanding economic ties between Italy and Canada, particularly in the food processing sector, where Italian companies continue to thrive and invest in long-term growth.

image source:  Ferrero Canada