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Friends and families celebrate 50 years of Ferrero in Lithgow

Ferrero 50th Birthday Celebration

Anniversary brings together former and current employees, families and community leaders.

Fifty years of memories, familiar faces and new connections were celebrated this week as guests gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of Ferrero Australia’s Lithgow factory, bringing together employees, their families, community partners and political dignitaries. 

Established in 1976 as Ferrero’s first factory outside Europe, the Lithgow plant initially produced Tic Tac before introducing Nutella production in 1978. Today, the factory exclusively produces Nutella, manufacturing approximately 15 million kilos each year for Australia, New Zealand and markets in East and North Asia. 

Guests came together to reflect on the people, work and values that have shaped the site over five decades, with the celebration featuring speeches, staff awards, the cutting of a special 50th anniversary cake, and activities exploring sustainability, food safety and quality. 

Among those attending Ferrero's 50th anniversary event were Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains, Andrew Gee MP, Member for Calare, Paul Toole, MP, Member for Bathurst, Cassandra Coleman, Mayor Lithgow City Council, and Eric Mahony, Deputy Mayor Lithgow City Council, alongside employees, former employees, families and local community partners. 

Christopher Hinton, Region Industrial Manager at the Lithgow factory, said the anniversary was a celebration of the people behind the milestone. 

“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.” 

A highlight of the day was the presentation of Platinum Project recognition from the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage Program, presented by Trish Doyle MP, acknowledging the sustainability outcomes achieved at Ferrero’s Lithgow site. The recognition reflects the contribution of local employees to these achievements and was a fitting addition to the celebration of the factory’s history and its future. Ferrero’s international and local leaders, past and present, were also in attendance to mark the milestone. 

Ferrero has continued to invest in the Lithgow site’s future, with $30 million invested over the past three years, including a rooftop solar array capable of generating up to 20 per cent of the factory’s electricity needs and a new electric hazelnut roaster that has reduced gas requirements by nearly 90 per cent. 

About Ferrero’s Lithgow plant 

  • Established in 1976 as Ferrero’s first factory outside Europe. 
  • Proud employer and community partner in Lithgow for 50 years, today employing approximately 100 people, with many Lithgow locals having built careers at the site. 
  • Produces approximately 15 million kilos of Nutella annually for Australia, New Zealand and East and North Asia.
  • Supports local initiatives including school career programs, the Seven Valleys Visitor Centre and the Lithgow Emerging Economy Plan.
  • In 2026, received Platinum Project recognition from the NSW Sustainability Advantage Program for sustainability outcomes achieved at the Lithgow site.
  • Recipient of the 2025 Banksia Foundation’s NSW Sustainability Award – Primary Industries and Regional Development, recognising its contribution to sustainable regional manufacturing. 

About Ferrero Group 

Ferrero Group is a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, renowned for iconic brands such as Nutella®, Kinder®, Ferrero Rocher®, and Tic Tac®, alongside local favourites. 

Founded in 1946 in Alba, Italy, Ferrero marks 80 years as a family-owned group, with 50,000 employees and operations in over 170 countries. The company combines a strong heritage and commitment to quality with continuous innovation across brands and categories, including ice cream, biscuits and bakery, breakfast cereals, and better-for-you offerings. 

Guided by a long-term vision, Ferrero focuses on sustainable and responsible growth, strengthening its presence in emerging segments while staying true to its values of excellence and care.

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Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks, including Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac® and Ferrero Rocher®. More than 46,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group’s family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage, and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.