UPDATED: Bloomington plant included in Ferrero’s acquisition of Nestle

Posted on January 16, 2018
The Bloomington plant employs more than 400 according to the company’s recent reports. (Google Maps photo)

By WMBD Staff

BLOOMINGTON – The global confectionary group Ferrero is acquiring Nestle’s confectionary business for $2.8 billion.

Ferrero will acquire several popular brands, including Butterfinger, Wonka, and SweeTarts.

Along with this sale, Ferrero will acquire three manufacturing facilities in Illinois, including Bloomington. It will also acquire Nestle’s confectionary-related employees. The most recent official report showed Nestle employing 415 people at its Bloomington facility. There’s no word on whether Ferrero plans to keep that plant open or keep the current staff.

Normal mayor Chris Koos said it’s encouraging to see manufacturing jobs continue to thrive in the Twin Cities.

“With Rivian coming in, Brandt coming in, this company buying Nestle factory coming in and saying we’re going to continue to make product out of the facility, I think says a lot about the community and people’s willingness to work here and stay here,” Koos said.

The transaction is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. It’s expected to close around the end of 2018’s first quarter.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…