Ferrero marks 50 years of manufacturing in Lithgow

Ferrero has marked the 50th anniversary of its manufacturing operations in Lithgow, the company's first site outside Europe.

The New South Wales plant was established in 1976 and initially produced Tic Tac before adding Nutella in 1978. It now produces only Nutella, making about 15 million kilograms a year for Australia, New Zealand, and markets in East and North Asia.

The anniversary event brought together current and former employees, their families, community partners, and political representatives. Attendees included Trish Doyle MP, Andrew Gee MP, Paul Toole MP, Lithgow Mayor Cassandra Coleman, and Deputy Mayor Eric Mahony.

During the event, the factory received Platinum Project recognition from the New South Wales Government's Sustainability Advantage Program for environmental work at the site. Ferrero said this has been supported by AUD $30 million in investment over the past three years.

That spending included a rooftop solar array capable of generating up to 20% of the factory's electricity needs. Ferrero also installed an electric hazelnut roaster that has reduced gas requirements by nearly 90%.

According to company information, the Lithgow operation employs about 100 people. Ferrero said many local residents have built long careers at the site, which has also supported school career programmes, the Seven Valleys Visitor Centre, and the Lithgow Emerging Economy Plan.

Local role

The plant has long been an industrial employer in Lithgow, a regional centre west of Sydney whose manufacturing base has changed markedly over recent decades. Ferrero's continued investment in the site stands out at a time when manufacturers in regional Australia are under pressure from energy costs, supply chain volatility, and competition from imports.

By concentrating Nutella production at Lithgow, Ferrero has given the facility a defined role within its wider regional operations. Products made there supply not only the domestic market but also nearby export markets in Asia.

Christopher Hinton, Regional Industrial Manager at the Lithgow factory, said the anniversary centred on the workforce and the wider community linked to the site.

"Fifty years is an incredible milestone, but what makes it special is the people behind it. This celebration was about bringing together the many local friends and families who have all contributed to the Lithgow factory, and celebrating the pride, commitment and memories they have built here. It has been fantastic to see former colleagues reconnect, families come together and our current team share what they do with the people who matter most to them. That sense of pride and connection is something really special to Lithgow," Hinton said.

Sustainability focus

The sustainability recognition was a central part of the celebrations and highlighted how industrial operators are increasingly trying to reduce energy use at existing plants rather than build entirely new facilities. For Ferrero, the Lithgow upgrades provide a practical example of that approach in food manufacturing.

The rooftop solar installation reduces reliance on grid electricity during daylight hours, while the new electric roaster cuts fossil fuel use in a key production process. Together, the projects show how manufacturers are targeting both electricity demand and direct gas consumption as they adapt to changing energy markets and emissions expectations.

Ferrero said international and local leaders, past and present, attended the event alongside workers and their families. The programme included speeches, staff awards, the cutting of a 50th anniversary cake, and displays on sustainability, food safety, and quality.

Founded in Italy, the group has grown into a global food manufacturer with brands including Nutella, Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tac. The Lithgow site remains an important part of its footprint in Australia and New Zealand, where it combines local manufacturing with imported product lines.

According to company information, the factory also received the Banksia Foundation's New South Wales Sustainability Award for Primary Industries and Regional Development in 2025. The latest recognition from the state's Sustainability Advantage Program adds to that record as Ferrero continues to position the Lithgow plant as a long-term manufacturing base.