Ferrero SpA

Ferrero International SpA (/fəˈrɛəroʊ/ fə-RAIR-oh, Italian: [ferˈrɛːro]), more commonly known as Ferrero Group or simply Ferrero, is an Italian multinational company with headquarters in Alba, Piedmont. Ferrero is a manufacturer of branded chocolate and confectionery products, and the second largest chocolate producer and confectionery company in the world by revenue. Ferrero SpA is a private company owned by the Ferrero family and it has been described as "one of the world's most secretive firms".

It was founded in 1946 in Alba in Piedmont, Italy, by Pietro Ferrero, a confectioner and small-time pastry maker who laid the groundwork for the introduction of Nutella. The company had a period of tremendous growth and success under Pietro's son Michele Ferrero, who in turn handed over the daily operations to his sons, Pietro Jr. and Giovanni Ferrero (the founder's grandsons). In 2015, following Pietro Jr.'s sudden death in 2011, Giovanni Ferrero became the company's sole leader as executive chairman and majority owner.

As of 2015, the Ferrero Group includes 38 trading companies, 18 factories, and approximately 40,000 employees worldwide. It produces around 365,000 tonnes of Nutella each year, among other products.