Over the past 15 years with Ferrero, Terence Viney has led businesses and teams across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, beginning his journey in Australia as national business manager before moving to Luxembourg, Singapore and most recently Israel as GM. Now he has returned to Australia, where this chapter in his career began – as GM of Ferrero Australia and New Zealand.
Viney shared with Inside FMCG one overriding truth that has stood out throughout that journey: The consistency of Ferrero’s culture and values. Whether at head office or in local markets, the company’s commitment to quality, integrity and innovation remains the same.
Experiencing Ferrero from both global and local perspectives has shaped Viney’s leadership style – one focused on developing people, building capability and creating sustainable growth. He is genuinely excited to be returning to Australia to lead the business, citing a strong business with a talented team, significant growth opportunities and an important role within the region.
“Our vision for Ferrero ANZ is to keep bringing moments of joy to Australians through products they love and trust. At the heart of that is quality, which has defined Ferrero for generations and remains central to everything we do.
“Our growth strategy is focused on extending our iconic brands into new categories and consumption occasions. We’re seeing strong momentum in areas such as ice cream, biscuits and the better-for-you segment with Fulfil protein bars, allowing us to reach new consumers while creating incremental opportunities for our retail partners. Innovation remains key, whether through new formats or new category entries, always grounded in the quality and taste Ferrero is known for,” he continues.
“Our iconic brands have earned consumer trust over decades. The job now is to take them into more categories and occasions.”
Building resilience in a challenging environment
The past few years have been challenging for the confectionery industry worldwide. After the impact of Covid faded, cocoa prices have fluctuated wildly, geopolitical issues have disrupted supply chains, and cost-of-living pressures have affected discretionary spending.
“Like any global business, Ferrero operates in a dynamic environment, but as a third-generation family-owned company, our response remains grounded in long-term thinking and ensuring our products can be enjoyed for generations to come,” says Viney.
“Disciplined execution is critical in the current environment. We have strengthened demand planning and increased logistics flexibility to improve product availability during peak periods, while continuing to build resilience across our supply chain. Pricing decisions are also carefully managed, with a clear focus on maintaining the quality and experience our consumers expect.”
The strategic importance of local manufacturing
Clearly, local manufacturing has shielded the company from some of the global pain points. Ferrero began as a small pastry shop in Alba, Italy, in 1946, built on values of quality, excellence and community that continue to guide the business today. Those values are reflected strongly in Australia, says Viney.
“Australia plays an important role in Ferrero’s global network. Our Lithgow factory is a cornerstone of our Asia Pacific supply network, producing approximately 15,000 tonnes of Nutella annually using Australian-sourced milk and sugar.
“From a commercial perspective, local manufacturing strengthens supply chain resilience, responsiveness and quality control, which is particularly valuable during periods of global disruption. It also supports local suppliers, regional communities and the broader Australian economy. It’s a combination of global scale and uncompromising quality that makes our manufacturing presence here strategically important.”
While Ferrero’s product innovation is driven globally, its Australian team works closely with colleagues worldwide to identify consumer trends and category opportunities relevant to local consumers.
“Local production also plays an important role in supporting product quality, supply reliability and responsiveness to market demand.”
The Lithgow factory has been producing Nutella since 1978 and today supplies Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Lithgow factory, Ferrero’s first manufacturing facility outside Europe, which continues to be a major regional employer and a leader in sustainable manufacturing.”
The company continues to invest in the Lithgow facility to improve both operational efficiency and environmental performance. Recent investments include the installation of a vertical electric hazelnut-roasting oven, which has reduced gas consumption by nearly 90 per cent, and a rooftop solar installation that supplies up to 20 per cent of the site’s electricity needs.
“Australia has a long history with Ferrero, and Lithgow remains central to supporting that continued growth.”
Sustainability drives long-term value
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Ferrero’s strategy and is a key driver of business resilience, Viney explains.
“We continue to strengthen traceability across our supply chain, with 98 per cent traceability for cocoa and 97 per cent for hazelnuts, while advancing our commitments around decarbonisation, responsible sourcing and human rights. Packaging is also a priority, with over 92 per cent of materials now designed for recyclability.
“For our retail partners, this focus on sustainability supports long-term value creation and ensures growth remains both resilient and responsible.”
Creating shared value through community initiatives
Another element in Ferrero’s glocal philosophy is its commitment to bringing its global social governance strategies to Australia and New Zealand.
Ferrero’s company value of ‘Work, Create, Donate’ continues to guide how it operates globally and locally, says Viney.
“In Australia, this comes to life through initiatives such as our ‘Joy of Moving’ program, delivered in partnership with Monash University, which helps children develop a positive relationship with physical activity and wellbeing.
“Through long-standing partnerships with Foodbank and OzHarvest, we donate surplus product year-round to support Australians experiencing food insecurity while helping reduce food waste. Our teams also contribute through volunteering, connecting directly with the communities we serve.
“These initiatives are an important part of how we create shared value, supporting communities while staying true to the principles that have always defined Ferrero.”
