Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for North America Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine,...
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Ferrara is investing USD$675 million in a major new manufacturing facility in South Carolina, expanding its global production network, creating 1,000 jobs, and strengthening long-term confectionery manufacturing capacity.
For more than a century, Ferrara has built its reputation on creating some of the world’s best-known confectionery brands.
Now, the Chicago-headquartered company is making one of the biggest investments in its history, selecting Orangeburg County, South Carolina, as the home of a major new manufacturing operation.
The USD$675 million investment will establish Ferrara’s first facility in South Carolina and is expected to create 1,000 manufacturing and corporate jobs over the next decade, significantly expanding the company’s production footprint as demand for its products continues to grow.
The new site reinforces Ferrara’s ambitions to increase manufacturing capacity while supporting its long-term growth strategy across the US, Europe, and Brazil.
BUILDING FOR FUTURE DEMAND
Located at Highway 21 and Rowesville Road in Orangeburg, the new campus will comprise a 750,000-square-foot manufacturing facility incorporating processing and packaging operations, warehousing for raw and packaging materials, and administrative offices.
Designed to increase manufacturing scale and capability, the investment will support rising consumer demand across Ferrara’s portfolio of more than 40 confectionery brands, including NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, Trolli®, Brach’s®, and Jelly Belly® in the US, alongside Terry’s and Carambar in Europe and Dori in Brazil.
Marco Capurso, Chief Executive Officer at Ferrara, described the project as a pivotal milestone for the business.
Our new Orangeburg facility represents a major step forward in transforming Ferrara’s manufacturing scale and capability, positioning the company for long-term global leadership.
He added that the company was excited to establish a presence in South Carolina and thanked state and local leaders for their partnership in bringing the project to fruition.
A BOOST FOR SOUTH CAROLINA
The investment represents a significant economic development win for South Carolina, where state and local officials anticipate lasting benefits for employment, skills development, and regional prosperity.
Governor Henry McMaster said the decision demonstrated confidence in the state’s business environment.
Ferrara Candy Company’s USD$675 million investment in the Midlands is a powerful vote of confidence in our state that will bring many new opportunities for our people
Orangeburg County Council Chairman, Johnnie Wright, also welcomed the announcement, highlighting the county’s growing appeal to international manufacturers and expressing confidence that the partnership would contribute to making the community “a better place to live and work.”
Supporting the project, the State Fiscal Accountability Authority authorised the issuance of General Obligation State Economic Development Bonds of up to USD$85 million to help fund site acquisition, infrastructure, and related improvements. Meanwhile, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits linked to the investment.
SCALING A GLOBAL NETWORK
Headquartered in Chicago, Ferrara operates more than 30 facilities worldwide and employs over 9,400 people. Its products are sold in more than 60 countries, serving millions of consumers through a portfolio that spans North America, Europe, and Brazil.
The Orangeburg facility is expected to play an important role in that global manufacturing network as Ferrara continues to scale production to meet increasing demand.
The first production lines are scheduled to become operational during the first quarter of 2029, marking the beginning of a long-term investment that strengthens both Ferrara’s manufacturing capabilities and South Carolina’s position as a destination for large-scale industrial development.
With significant investment in modern production, logistics, and employment, the project reflects Ferrara’s continued commitment to expanding its manufacturing capacity while laying the foundations for future growth.
This article was produced by the editorial team at North America Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.
North America Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping industries across North America.
Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for North America Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.
