France: Ferrero invests €95 million in production facilities

Ferrero, the Italian-based confectionery firm, is investing €95 million ($108 million) to upgrade an existing facility in Villers-Ecalles, in northern France, that manufactures Nutella hazelnut spread.

According to reports in Le Figaro and ESM, the investment will go towards two new warehousing units, as well as other “modernisation” works. The new investment comes on the back of €36 million ($41 million) announced for upgrades to the plant in 2022, and €42 million ($48 million) invested between 2017 and 2021.

The Villers-Ecalles plant is the world’s biggest Nutella manufacturing facility, producing hundreds of thousands of jars each day and accounting for around a quarter of global output.

Separately, Ferrero has also announced the launch of Nutella Peanut, in a bid to adapt its flagship spread to American tastes. Rivals Hershey and JM Smucker already have similar products on the market in the US, under the Reese’s and Jif brands respectively.

 

Source: Le Figaro / ESM / Ferrero / Confectionery News