The new range spans multiple categories and includes Wonka Magic Hats (RRP £7.65), Wonka Oompa Loompa Milk Chocolate Hollow Figurines (RRP: £4.50), Wonka Purplypurple Milk Chocolate Bar (RRP £3.75), Wonka Magic Garden Ropes (£2.30), Wonka Oompa Loompa Gummies, blueberry & strawberry with berry-cola filling (£2.30), and a Wonka Kinder Joy Egg with exclusive Kinder Joy × Wonka Funko toys (RRP £1.60).
These latest additions to its Wonka portfolio, the confectionery rights of which Ferrero acquired exclusively in 2018, follow significant investment into its factory in Alfreton.
Since acquiring the Alfreton manufacturing site in 2015, Ferrero has injected more than £35 million into the facility, which has been used to modernise its capabilities, expand production and establish it as a Centre of Excellence for assortments and model figures for the Group.
Speaking on the new products, Craig Barker, managing director at Ferrero UK and Ireland, said they were a result of the combined “creativity and technical expertise” of the Alfreton team with “Ferrero’s global brand-building capabilities” and demonstrates what “continued investment in UK innovation and manufacturing can deliver”.
“This launch is a proud moment for Ferrero in the UK,” he said.
“By combining the creativity and technical expertise of our Alfreton team with Ferrero’s global brand-building capabilities, we are able to bring distinctive products to market, while delivering the quality and taste experience consumers expect from Ferrero. It is a powerful example of how our UK business is helping to shape innovation for consumers here and around the world.”
“My team and I are incredibly proud that our Alfreton team in Derbyshire has played such a pivotal role in the innovation and manufacturing for Ferrero Group on the global launch of the new Wonka range,” added Gary Youren, head of R&D for Ferrero UK and Ireland.
“The launch draws on Wonka’s strong nostalgic appeal and Ferrero’s confectionery expertise to offer consumers imaginative products across chocolate and sugar confectionery, with seasonal, limited-edition and further category innovations planned.
“We hope some of these new Wonka creations will become favourites for our ‘young at heart’ audience, combining the excitement of innovation with the quality and taste experience of a Ferrero product our consumers know and love.”
Speaking on the investment that has gone into the Derbyshire site, Youren told Food Manufacture: “It’s given our teams the specialist capabilities, from new production lines and technology to dedicated innovation spaces, to keep bringing new ideas and creations to our consumers.”
Commenting further on the development of this range, he added: “Our R&D teams spent time developing and testing new recipes to ensure every product met our exacting standards, building on decades of experience crafting pralines and intricate fillings and utilising Alfreton’s unique manufacturing capabilities.
“The goal was to combine familiar, nostalgic flavours with unexpected chocolate experiences, creating a sense of surprise and wonder that is synonymous with Wonka. From investing time in ensuring we could deliver the colour and marbling decoration effectively on the hats, including designing and installing new equipment in our factory to help us do that, to delivering the popping candy ‘pop’ and achieving that recognisable popcorn flavour, we developed multiple iterations to make sure the flavour delivery, and taste experience was just right.”
He continued: “One of the most rewarding moments throughout the process was seeing a product that the team have helped to develop become a reality.”
For the business, Youren said the ambition is to “establish Wonka as a growing global brand”, noting that there is a “clear opportunity to bring this iconic, culturally relevant brand to life through a long-term, multi-category portfolio”.
The products are now available in Morrisons and Asda and will be rolled out across other major UK and Ireland retailers, including Tesco from 22 October.
