A $5-million federal grant will help chocolate marker Ferrero Canada continue to expand production lines at its Brantford plant.
The money, announced Friday afternoon at the Ferrero plant, is part of $12.7 million going to five companies from Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, or FedDev Ontario.
“The success of Ferrero Canada and other food and beverage processors has ensured this region continues to grow and attract new talent that will lead to a growing economy,” Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, said in announcing the funding.
She and Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock toured part of the massive Ferrero plant.
“The tour was exceptional,” said Tassi, noting that Brantford has become a driving food and beverage hub in Canada and home to many of the country’s largest agri-food suppliers and processors with Ferrero at the forefront.
When the $26-million expansion plans were announced in April, Ferrero senior vice-president Fabrizio Secco said that, by automating some production lines and adding more than 100 skilled and semi-skilled jobs to a workforce that already has more than 1,700 employees, the company will be better able to meet the growing demand for its products.
“This is an amazing facility we have here,” Secco said.
“Brantford is an essential hub for Ferrero across Canada. North America is a strategic growth market for Ferrero and we’ve seen tremendous growth over the last few years despite the pandemic and a supply chain disruption. Today, we are stronger than ever.”
Ferrero’s Brantford plant is a major contributor in the Ferrero Group, which is one of the world’s largest confectionery companies. It produces Nutella, Nutella & Go, TicTacs and Ferrero Rocher for the North America market, with a small percentage exported elsewhere.
Secco said about 70 per cent of everything made in Brantford goes to the US market, with 20 per cent shipped in Canada.
Funds also will be poured into some feeder companies that supply Ferrero, including local businesses.
Secco previously said the company spends more than $146 million in materials with Ontario suppliers and partners.
Other companies receiving FedDev funds are: Sheen Legend Packaging in Scarborough and Cobourg; Summer Fresh Salads in Woodbridge, Casa Bonita Foods in Scarborough; and Temple Flexible Packaging in Innisfil.
Brock said Ferrero has proven to be great model of success during its 17 years in the area.
“We’re telegraphing to the world at large this is a place to invest and grow, and that we can compete nationally and internationally.”
David Prang, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant, said the federal grant represents a vote of confidence in both the community and its food and beverage sector.
@EXPSGamble