Ferrara Candy Company, a leading sugar confectioner in the U.S., Brazil, and Europe, today announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operation in Orangeburg County. 

The company's $675 million investment is projected to create 1,000 manufacturing and corporate jobs over the next 10 years.

"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," says Marco Capurso, CEO at Ferrara. "We are excited about the opportunity to inspire sweetness in the Palmetto State, and we are grateful to the leadership of Governor McMaster, Secretary Lightsey and their teams, and the Orangeburg County officials, in their partnership and effort to bring us to South Carolina."

Ferrara's new operation will be located at Highway 21 and Rowesville Road in Orangeburg, where the company plans to construct a 750,000-square-foot manufacturing facility including processing and packaging, a warehouse for raw and pack materials, and an administrative office.

The investment will support Ferrara's high level of consumer demand and strengthen its position as a leader in sugar confections, it says, and the first production lines in the new facility are expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2029. 

Headquartered in Chicago for 118 years, Ferrara operates a network of more than 30 facilities worldwide and employs more than 9,400 people.

Its products are sold in over 60 countries and span a portfolio of more than 40 iconic brands including Nerds, Sweetarts, Laffy Taffy, Trolli, Brach's, and Jelly Belly in the U.S., plus Terry's and Carambar in Europe, and Dori in Brazil. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero-affiliated company.

Ferrara is on the current Candy Industry “Global Top 100 Candy Companies” list. Click here to view the current “Global Top 100” rankings.