Ferrero Canada officially launched the world’s first Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares production line at its Brantford manufacturing facility on Wednesday — a global milestone for the Italian confectionery group and a major boost to Ontario’s food manufacturing sector.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, MPP Will Bouma said the expansion represents a strong vote of confidence in Brantford’s workers and in Ontario’s growing manufacturing capacity.
“It was not long ago that Premier Doug Ford stood in this very building to announce Ferrero’s nearly half-billion-dollar expansion,” Bouma said.
“This investment is a huge vote of confidence in Ontario’s farmers, suppliers, and manufacturers — and it cements Brantford as the confectionery capital of Canada.”
Bouma praised Ferrero’s long-term presence in the region, calling the new line “a proud moment for Brantford and all of Ontario,” and thanked the company for continuing to invest in local talent and production.
The expansion — a $445 million project first announced in April through Invest Ontario — is expected to create 500 new jobs, reinforcing Brantford’s status as one of the province’s major food production hubs.
The new investment also introduces Nutella Biscuits manufacturing to North America for the first time, marking another step in Ferrero’s global growth.
Wednesday’s event brought together Ferrero leadership and government representatives, including Michael Lindsey, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America; Omar Zausa, President of Ferrero Canada; Eric Houdet, Senior Vice-President of Canada Industrial and Brantford Plant Director; Mayor Kevin Davis; and Italy’s Ambassador to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo.
“This milestone highlights Brantford’s role in Ferrero’s global growth and brings 200 new jobs to our community,” said Mayor Kevin Davis.
“Congratulations to the entire Ferrero team on this remarkable achievement, and thank you to the dedicated staff at the Brantford factory for making this success possible.”
Ferrero’s Brantford facility, established in 2006 as the company’s first North American plant, now produces some of its most recognizable brands — Nutella, Nutella & GO!, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher.
Founded in 1946 in Alba, Italy, Ferrero has grown into one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, employing more than 47,000 people in over 170 countries. In Canada, the company employs about 1,400 people across its operations.
With the new production line now running, Brantford becomes the first city in the world to produce Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares, positioning the city as a centre of confectionery innovation.
