Ferrero to Invest CAD 214.4m in Expanding Ontario Manufacturing Facility
Ferrero Group has announced a CAD 214.4 million (US$156.9 million) expansion of its manufacturing operations in Ontario, Canada, reinforcing its North American footprint and strengthening supply chain resilience. The move will see the addition of a new chocolate processing facility at its Brantford plant, responsible for producing key brands including Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Surprise, and Tic Tac.
This marks the company’s first chocolate manufacturing expansion in North America, enabling Ferrero to produce chocolate directly in the region rather than rely on imported supply. The Brantford site, which opened in 2006, has already undergone multiple capacity investments to support growth in the Canadian and U.S. markets. The new 48,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to be operational by 2026.
“Bringing Ferrero’s chocolate production to Ontario will enhance our North American capabilities and better serve the market with greater flexibility and speed,” said Alanna Cotton, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America.
The project is expected to create up to 200 jobs and reflects Ferrero’s broader strategy to localize production closer to key markets. The investment is being supported by CAD 31 million (US$22.7 million) in combined grants from the federal and Ontario provincial governments, underscoring the strategic significance of the confectionery category to Canada’s food manufacturing sector.
Ferrero’s decision to invest in local chocolate processing aligns with a wider industry trend of bolstering regional supply chains amid global logistics challenges. It will significantly reduce reliance on international shipments and streamline production-to-distribution timelines for the North American market.
With consumer demand across candy and chocolate categories continuing to show resilience, especially in premium segments, Ferrero’s investment is well-timed. The company has been steadily increasing its presence in the U.S. and Canada, acquiring local assets such as Fannie May and the Nestlé U.S. confectionery business in recent years.
This latest expansion positions Ferrero to capture further market share in North America’s competitive confectionery sector and signals continued confidence in the region’s growth potential.