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Parsippany-based candy giant Ferrero North America is celebrating the opening of its first U.S.-based production facility for Kinder Bueno brand chocolate bars.

Located in Bloomington, Ill., the $214 million processing plant is an addition at the company’s existing manufacturing campus, which makes products like Crunch, 100 Grand and Raisinets. The 169,000-square-foot factory will create 200 new jobs in the area, according to Ferrero.

During an Sept. 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Kinder Bueno facility, Michael Lindsey, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, said, “This new project will help us increase Ferrero’s incredible momentum and innovations here in the U.S. market.”

Kinder Bueno, which also includes Kinder Joy, Kinder Chocolate and Kinder seasonal products, has grown into a half billion-dollar power brand in the U.S. since it was introduced in the market in 2017, according to Ferrero.

After noting Kinder Bueno’s rising popularity, Lindsey said he believes the brand will “continue to grow and thrive” with “the support of leaders in Illinois, the Bloomington community and our valued retail partners.”

The Bloomington site is also home to Ferrero’s new $75 million chocolate factory. The 70,000-square-foot location opened earlier this year as Ferrero’s first U.S. chocolate processing facility and third globally. It produces chocolate for brands such as Butterfinger and Ferrero Rocher.

Midwestern expansion

Along with cheering the new facility’s launch, Ferrero announced a $10,000 donation to Heartland Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center.

As part of an existing partnership with the college, Ferrero participates in an apprenticeship program that trains its employees to become certified maintenance technicians.

Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe praised the company’s ongoing contributions.

“Ferrero’s investments continue to bring incredible growth to our community, and I look forward to seeing what we achieve together next,” Mwilambwe said.

The latest opening further expands Ferrero’s footprint in Illinois. The company already manufactures Butterfinger and Baby Ruth candy bars at its plant in Franklin Park, as well as Keebler products at a factory in Chicago.

The Windy City is also home to Ferrero’s research and development (R&D) laboratory and innovation center. The 45,000-square-foot facility brings together 150 employees from R&D teams throughout the U.S. to develop new confections, cookies and other treats.

In addition to new projects in Illinois, Ferrero recently invested in updated capacity and capabilities for its Brantford, Ontario, plant and added distribution centers in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.

Ferrero – which started in 1946 as a small pastry shop in Alba, Italy – has grown to become a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, including confectionery, biscuits, ice cream and better-for-you-snacking, with over 35 brands sold in more than 170 countries.

Since entering the North American market in 1969, Ferrero now has more than 5,400 employees in eight offices and 15 plants and warehouses in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

Ferrero North America’s lineup also include Nutella, Tic Tac, Nestle’s U.S. candy business, Kellogg’s fruit snacks and cookies division, and Ferrara Candy Co.