Ferrero SpA is an Italian manufacturer of branded
chocolate and confectionery products and it is the third biggest
chocolate producer and
confectionery company in the world. It was founded in 1946 in
Alba, Piedmont, Italy by
Pietro Ferrero, a
confectioner and small-time pastry maker who laid the groundwork for the
Nutella and famously added hazelnut to save money on chocolate. The company saw a period of tremendous growth and success under Pietro's son
Michele Ferrero, who in turn handed over the daily operations to his sons. His son Pietro (the founder's grandson), who oversaw global business, died on April 18, 2011, in a cycling accident in
South Africa at the age of 47. Reputation Institute's 2009 survey ranks Ferrero as the most reputable company in the world. Ferrero SpA is a private company owned by the Ferrero family and has been described as "one of the world's most secretive firms". The Ferrero Group worldwide – now headed by CEO Giovanni Ferrero – includes 38 trading companies, 18 factories, approximately 21,500 employees and produces around 365,000 tonnes of Nutella each year. Ferrero International SA's headquarters is in
Luxembourg. Its
German factory is the largest of all and Pasquale Giorgio is its current CEO.