Guanajuato, Mexico - The Italian chocolate manufacturer, Ferrero, has announced plans to invest $190 million to construct a new plant in the Parque Opcòn industrial park, in San Josè Iturbide, Guanajuato, Mexico.

The new facility is designated to manufacture the confectionery company’s new Kinder and Nutella products for the Mexican market and for export to the US and Canada.

Production is expected to start in May of 2013 and the plant will eventually employ around 500 people. These workers would be in addition to the 600 people who already work for Ferrero de Mexico.

Ferrero SpA was founded by confectioner Pietro Ferrero in 1946 in Alba, Piedmont, Italy. Ferrero Group Worldwide, now headed by Pietro's grandson Giovanni Ferrero, includes 38 trading companies, 18 factories, and approximately 21,500 employees. Reputation Institute's 2009 survey ranks Ferrero as the most reputable company in the world.

The company places great emphasis on secrecy, reportedly to guard against industrial espionage. They have never held a press conference and do not allow media visits to their plants. Ferrero's products are made with machines designed by an in-house engineering department.