The provincial government of Ontario will invest CAD 11 million ($8.8 million) to help Ferrero diversify its product offerings.
With support from Ontario’s Jobs and Prosperity Fund, the confectionery company will be able to build a new cocoa bean processing plant, increase manufacturing capacity for Nutella & Go, manufacture new Tic Tac products and install a new wastewater treatment system.
The funding will boost productivity and create 80 jobs at Ferrero’s Brantford facility, while retaining over 1,000 positions across the province.
Currently, the Brantford plant manufactures Nutella, Nutella & Go, Tic Tac and Ferrero Rocher products.
Ferrero Canada managing director Fabrizio Secco said: “Thanks to the continuous support of the Ontario government and to the strong commitment of the Ferrero Group, the Brantford production plant is taking another big step in our history.
“These projects are enabling us to create new jobs in our facility and also externally through our suppliers and partners within Brantford and the surrounding area.”
The Brantford plant is now the first Ferrero site outside Europe to process raw cocoa beans.
Ontario minister for economic development and growth Brad Duguid added: “Congratulations to Ferrero Canada on this significant expansion of its Ontario operations. The investment illustrates exactly why the Jobs and Prosperity Fund was created — to partner with ambitious companies that are innovating, boosting productivity and growing exports in Ontario’s key economic sectors.”
The Jobs and Prosperity Fund is providing CAD 2.7 billion ($2.17 billion) over ten years to enhance productivity, boost innovation and grow Ontario’s exports.
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