CHICAGO — The North American branch of global confectionary company Ferrero Group announced its plans to open an innovation center in the Marshall Field and Company building in Chicago. The new space will unite Ferrero’s R&D team and house employees from an array of the company’s portfolio including Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother’s and other cookie brands.
“Our goal for this space is to reflect Ferrero’s heritage and provide an opportunity to create greater synergies among our teams. This new space will foster the collaboration, creativity and culture that Ferrero is known for around the world,” said Todd Siwak, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America. “I am proud of our growing footprint in Illinois and strongly believe that this innovation center will propel our teams forward to become leaders in the sweet packaged foods category.”
The 45,000-sq.-ft. facility will fill the eighth and ninth floors of the Marshall Field building, housing the innovation center, R&D lab and offices to unite 170 Ferrero team members.
“We are thrilled to join Ferrero as it announces that Chicago will be home to the company’s first innovation center in the United States,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “Chicago is a global destination for innovation and Ferrero will be well-placed here, benefitting from the city’s connectivity to the world and its strong network of companies driven by tech and innovation. I congratulate Ferrero on this move and welcome them to Chicago as I look forward to more companies realizing Chicago’s incredible potential.”
Ferrero’s new Chicago office is another step to continue the company’s growth in North America. While the office is set to be completed by next spring, Ferrero’s Chicago employees will move to a temporary office space while construction on the Marshall Field Building is completed.
