Ferrero SpA is an Italian manufacturer of chocolate and other confectionery products.
It was founded by confectioner Pietro Ferrero in 1946 in Alba, Piedmont, Italy.
The company saw a period of tremendous growth and success under Pietro's son Michele Ferrero,
who in turn handed over the daily operations to his sons.
His son Pietro, who oversaw global business, died on April 18, 2011, in a cycling accident
in South Africa at the age of 47.
Reputation Institute's 2009 survey ranks Ferrero as the most reputable company in the world.
Ferrero SpA is a private company owned by the Ferrero family and has been described
as "one of the world's most secretive firms".
The Ferrero Group worldwide – now headed by CEO Giovanni Ferrero – includes 38 trading
companies, 18 factories and approximately 21,500 employees.
Ferrero International SA's headquarters is in Luxembourg.
Its German factory is the largest of all and Pasquale Giorgio is its current CEO.
In July 2013, Ferrero entered Myanmar markets, being granted permission to distribute its
products locally.
History
In 1946, Pietro Ferrero invented a cream of hazelnuts and cocoa, derived from Gianduja
and called it "Giandujot", or Pasta Gianduja.
The initial product came in solid loaves wrapped in aluminium foil, which had to be sliced
with a knife, and was succeeded by a spreadable version Supercrema.
With assistance from his brother Giovanni, Pietro Ferrero created his new company to
produce and market the initial product.
Following his work, Pietro was succeeded by his son Michele Ferrero as chief executive.
Michele and his wife Maria Franca relaunched his father's recipe as Nutella, which was
first sold in 1964 and has since become the world's leading chocolate-nut spread brand.
The company is currently run by Giovanni Ferrero, grandson of Pietro and son to Michele Ferrero.
The company places great emphasis on secrecy, reportedly to guard against industrial espionage.
It has never held a press conference and does not allow media visits to its plants.
Ferrero's products are made with machines designed by an in-house engineering department.
Products
In addition to Nutella, Ferrero produces many other products including Ferrero Rocher, Pocket
Coffee, Mon Chéri, Giotto, Confetteria Raffaello coconut cream candy, Hanuta chocolate hazelnut-filled
wafers, the Kinder line of products, as well as the Tic Tac breath mints.
A dark chocolate version of the Ferrero Rocher is also available, called the Ferrero Rondnoir,
which contains a pearl of dark chocolate in the center instead of a hazelnut, chocolate
cream instead of hazelnut cream and crunchy chocolate bits instead of crushed hazelnuts.
There is also a coconut version, Confetteria Raffaello, which contains coconut cream surrounding
an almond and covered with meringue and shredded coconut.
The Ferrero Prestige collection is a set of three pralines: Rocher, Rondnoir, and a coconut
version called Garden Coco.
The Garden Coco candy is similar to the Confetteria Raffaello, but has milk cream instead of coconut
cream.
Ferrero also produces the Kinder product series, including Kinder Surprise or Kinder Sorpresa
in Italian, Fiesta Ferrero, Kinder Chocolate bars, Kinder Happy Hippo, Kinder Maxi, Kinder
Duplo, Kinder Délice, and Kinder Bueno.
In 2011 Ferrero introduced a line of frozen products called "Gran Soleil".
It is a shelf-stable frozen dessert which has to be shaken, and if left overnight in
the freezer, can be eaten as a sorbet.
The company received an innovation award for the product in March 2011.
In September 2013 Ferrero gained Vegetarian Society approved status in the UK for a number
of leading brands including Nutella and Ferrero Rocher.
Philanthrophy In 1983, the Ferrero Foundation was established
in Alba, Piedmont at the wish of Michele Ferrero.
The foundation promotes activities in the areas of art, science, history and literature
by organizing conventions, conferences, seminars and exhibitions.
It also offers health and social assistance to ex-employees of the group for at least
25 years.
References
External links
Ferrero Group official website Yahoo! - Ferrero SpA Company Profile
Ferrero Rocher Hampers official website