Ferrero USA, the global confectionery company known for brands such as Ferrero Rocher®, Nutella®, Tic Tac® and Kinder Joy, will invest $9 million to expand its industrial facility in Franklin Township, NJ. The expansion project will add nearly 100 local jobs and bring the facility to a total of 67,000 square feet of packaging and warehousing space.

“We are proud to do business in Franklin Township, and we’re thrilled to be expanding our existing operations here,” said Paul Chibe, Ferrero North America president and CEO. “This renovation demonstrates the ongoing commitment Ferrero has to doing business in the state of New Jersey, and we’re confident this will continue to be a successful partnership for us all.”

Since 2016, Ferrero has invested $12 million into the Somerset County facility to ensure the successful launch of Kinder Joy, an egg-shaped package that holds a sweet treat on one side and a surprise toy on the other, which was previously available outside of North America. Since its U.S. debut in November 2017, Kinder Joy surpassed all Ferrero and industry targets for a new product, with more than 90 million eggs sold. The success of Kinder Joy in the U.S. led to this latest investment.

Last year, Ferrero USA employed up to 500 seasonal employees through local agencies. With the investments, the total number of employees is estimated to grow up to 600 seasonal employees. The location currently employs 35 salaried employees with an additional four salaried employees expected in 2019.

Founded as a family business in Alba, Italy in 1946, Ferrero is the third-largest confectionery company in the world, with distribution in over 170 countries, and a workforce of more than 30,000 people across 55 countries. Ferrero has committed to sourcing only 100% certified as sustainable cocoa by 2020.

Read the full article here.