A Story of A Family
From a small 'pasticceria' in Alba, Italy, to a multinational company, we are proud to be family-owned, with over three generations of passion and expertise behind our portfolio of iconic brands, which are loved by people across the world.
THE STORY OF FERRERO
An exciting future grounded in our Italian roots
The history of the Ferrero Group is the story of a tenacious Piedmontese family and of success through three generations. From 1946, brothers Pietro and Giovanni Ferrero worked together in the family’s small pastry shop to create products that would define Ferrero’s name.
Pietro was the driving force behind the innovation and creativity that would later give his son, Michele Ferrero, the platform to launch the Ferrero company we know today. Pietro was renowned for his love of experimenting – he was affectionately known as ‘the scientist’ by his friends, always working to find new flavours and textures to surprise and delight people at the pastry shop in Alba, Italy.
His brother Giovanni was the commercial genius of the two, helping to set up a national sales network that allowed Michele to test and introduce new creations across Italy.
The Ferrero Group is now one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies with over 35 much-loved brands, such as Kinder®, Nutella®, Ferrero Rocher® and Tic Tac®, sold in more than 170 countries.
From local beginnings to an international presence
The Ferrero family was the first Italian manufacturer after the Second World War to open production sites and offices abroad in the confectionary sector, turning the company into a true international player.
Its international expansion began in earnest in 1956, when a large plant in Germany was opened. A short time later, Ferrero’s second international site opened in France, and from there, its growth was rapid. Ferrero now has a footprint that spans Europe, North and South America, Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Still a family-owned company, now in its third generation, Ferrero continues to grow, drawing on its legacy, expertise and iconic specialties to launch new products and to bring new brands such as Thorntons, Eat Natural and Fulfil into the family.
"Tradition is like a bow. The more we stretch the bowstring, the farther we can throw the arrows of modernity and innovation." – Giovanni Ferrero, 2018.
A picturesque town in Italy’s Piedmont region
Alba was named a United Nations city of creative gastronomy in 2017.
It is known around the world for its hazelnuts, wine and iconic white truffle. The creative gastronomy award also recognised Alba's 'Slow Food' movement, which values food quality, respect for the environment, and fair prices for producers and consumers.
Giovanni Ferrero: “I have got a great story to tell about Nutella: it’s my family story”
“It all started immediately after the Second World War. Chocolate was so expensive – nobody could afford it, at least in Italy. We had our formula of chocolate; it was rooted in the local community in Alba because hazelnuts were abundant. Our vision was, ‘How can we make a new recipe with less cocoa and from hazelnuts?‘ My grandfather lived to find this formula. Finally, he created a recipe, which he called Super Crema.
What is fascinating about an entrepreneurial family is that 20 years after, his son, my father, went in and said, ‘We can push it further; there are new technologies, there are new ways to integrate this winning recipe’. And he created Nutella, which was born the same year as I was born - 1964. So, I have a little brother in the family - Nutella!
FERRERO GROUP ACQUISITIONS
Bakery products and better-for-you snacking
In 2023, the Ferrero Group announced the acquisition of Fresystem, the Italian market leader in the frozen bakery sector of the 'Italian breakfast', as part of Ferrero's strategic growth path in the enlarged market of sweet frozen bakery.
In the same year, Ferrero also signed an agreement with Laurens Spethmann Holding AG & Co. KG (LSH) to acquire its Medin production facility that produces snack bars in Faulbach, Germany. This acquisition supports the Group’s growth strategy in the better-for-you snacking category as it continues to expand its footprint and product offering.
FULFIL
We acquired FULFIL Nutrition, the quality vitamin and protein bar company with direct sales in the UK and distribution to Ireland and other European and Asia Pacific markets.
Eat Natural
Eat Natural, a UK-based maker of quality fruit and nut bars, toasted muesli and granola.
A hazelnut expert and a quality chocolate brand
In 2015, Ferrero opened the dawn of a new era through an important acquisition: Thorntons.
For over a century, Thorntons has specialised in crafting high-quality chocolate, sweets, toffee, fudge and other confectionery.
From Ideas to cultural icons
1964
Nutella® is born
1968
Kinder® Chocolate is introduced to the market
1969
Tic Tac®, the rebel of the category, is launched
1974
The Kinder® family becomes larger: Kinder® Surprise is born
1982
Ferrero Rocher® is launched
Our brands
Find all the Ferrero brands you love in one place, celebrating togetherness and life's simple pleasures. We craft our products with care and passion, creating unique moments of joy.
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