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PRACTICE DOCUMENT — FERRERO BENELUX COPILOT TRAINING
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Use : Workshop Section 5 — Automated press review
Instructions : Copy this corpus into a Word document on OneDrive, then use
               Copilot to produce a structured press review.
WARNING : These articles are FICTIONAL. They are written for training purposes
          only. The media outlets, journalists and facts are invented.
          Do not circulate outside the training.
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ARTICLE 1
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Source : De Tijd
Date : 18 February 2026
Author : Lieve Vandenberghe
Title : Ferrero invests 120 million euros in its Arlon plant

Ferrero Benelux announced on Monday a 120 million euro investment plan over three years to modernise its plant in Arlon, in the province of Luxembourg. The site, which produces 580,000 jars of Nutella per day, will see its capacity increase by 25%.

"This investment reflects our confidence in Belgian industry and in our Ardennes teams," said the General Manager of Ferrero Benelux during a press conference held in Arlon.

The project provides for the creation of 180 direct jobs over three years, as well as the construction of a 2,500 sqm R&D centre. The first phase of the works, launched in early 2025, is progressing on schedule.

The Minister-President of the Walloon Region welcomed "a structuring investment for the territory" and confirmed support of 8 million euros through regional grants.

Ferrero Benelux employs 4,150 staff and generated revenue of 1.62 billion euros in 2025.

Tone : POSITIVE


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ARTICLE 2
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Source : Het Financieele Dagblad
Date : 19 February 2026
Author : Joost Bakker
Title : Food industry : multinationals accelerate Benelux investments

Against a backdrop of reindustrialisation, the major food groups are multiplying investment announcements across the Benelux. After FrieslandCampina in Leeuwarden and Mondelez in Herentals, it is now Ferrero's turn to confirm a 120 million euro plan for its Belgian site.

"The Benelux remains a strategic market for Ferrero, accounting for nearly 11% of its European revenue," analyses an expert from consultancy firm Roland Berger.

The Italian group, which retains a strongly family-oriented culture despite its 47,000 employees worldwide, is betting on product innovation and the premiumisation of its ranges. The new Arlon R&D centre is expected in particular to work on reduced-sugar recipes, a major challenge in the face of European regulations.

The trade union ABVV-FGTB in Arlon nonetheless tempered the enthusiasm: "We are waiting to see the details on the working conditions of the 180 new positions announced."

Tone : NEUTRAL


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ARTICLE 3
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Source : Test-Aankoop / Test Achats
Date : 15 February 2026
Author : Editorial team
Title : Palm oil : the food industry's unkept promises

Our investigation reveals that despite the repeated commitments of the major groups, deforestation linked to palm oil did not decline in 2025. According to the NGO Global Forest Watch, 1.2 million hectares of tropical forest were destroyed this year, up 4% compared with 2024.

Among the companies singled out, several suppliers of Ferrero, Unilever and Nestlé appear on the list of operators linked to illegal concessions in Indonesia.

Ferrero, often cited as the sector's "top of the class" thanks to its 100% segregated RSPO certification, defends itself: "We suspended two suppliers in 2025 and our traceability reaches 99.5% down to the plantation. We acknowledge that progress remains to be made and we are working with the NGO Earthworm Foundation on the remaining cases."

Nevertheless, several consumer associations consider that RSPO certification is insufficient and are calling for a moratorium on palm oil in food.

Tone : NEGATIVE


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ARTICLE 4
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Source : RetailDetail
Date : 5 March 2026
Author : Sofie Maes
Title : Ferrero Rocher : the 2026 Easter campaign bets on digital

For its 2026 Easter campaign, Ferrero has chosen to strengthen its digital presence. The digital media budget now represents 48% of the total Ferrero Rocher campaign budget, compared with 45% in 2025.

"The Ferrero Rocher consumer is increasingly connected. We have to be present where they are," explains the Marketing Director of Ferrero Benelux.

The campaign, titled "Every moment deserves to be celebrated," will be rolled out on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and addressable TV. A partnership with 18 food and lifestyle influencers completes the set-up.

The results of the Christmas 2025 campaign were encouraging: +9% in Ferrero Rocher sales over the October-December 2025 period, with a notable peak in e-commerce (+28%).

Tone : POSITIVE


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ARTICLE 5
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Source : De Standaard
Date : 21 February 2026
Author : Annelies De Smet
Title : Children's nutrition : the marketing of manufacturers under scrutiny

The WHO has published a new report pointing to food marketing targeted at children as a major factor in childhood obesity. The report cites in particular the brands Kinder, Happy Meal (McDonald's) and the biscuits of a major continental group.

"Companies continue to target children via social media, often in a disguised way through games or attractive characters," denounces the WHO's special rapporteur.

Contacted by De Standaard, Ferrero points out that "Kinder addresses parents, not children directly" and that the company "has respected the European food industry Pledge since 2007, which prohibits direct advertising to children under 12 for products that do not meet nutritional criteria."

The group adds that it has withdrawn all advertising on children's TV channels since 2020 and has set up an internal advertising ethics committee.

Tone : NEGATIVE


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ARTICLE 6
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Source : L'Avenir du Luxembourg
Date : 22 February 2026
Author : Damien Lambert
Title : Arlon : Ferrero recruits 120 people, applications flood in

The announcement of Ferrero's investment plan has triggered a flood of applications. In 48 hours, more than 1,500 CVs were received for the 120 positions opened in the first phase.

"This is the first time we have received so many applications so quickly," confirms the site's HR Director. "Ferrero is an attractive employer in the region. Our turnover is 8%, well below the sector average."

The positions concerned are mostly production operators (60%), maintenance technicians (25%) and R&D engineers (15%). The salaries offered are "above the sector collective agreement," according to management.

The mayor of Arlon welcomed this momentum: "Ferrero is the economic lung of our municipality. These recruitments will benefit the entire employment area."

Tone : POSITIVE


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ARTICLE 7
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Source : Trends Business
Date : 3 March 2026
Author : Editorial team
Title : Nutella : will the jar price rise again in 2026?

After two consecutive price increases in 2024 and 2025, consumers are wondering: will the jar of Nutella cross the symbolic barrier of 6 euros in supermarkets?

Cocoa prices exploded in 2025 (+80% on the London market), pushing production costs up. Turkish hazelnuts, another key ingredient, also saw their price rise by 15%.

Ferrero did not wish to comment on its pricing policy for 2026. A spokesperson simply stated: "We are doing everything we can to absorb as much of the raw material increases as possible and to limit the impact on the consumer."

According to Circana data, the sales volume of Nutella fell by 3.2% in 2025, suggesting a growing price sensitivity among consumers.

Tone : NEGATIVE


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ARTICLE 8
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Source : Sustainable Finance Today
Date : 6 March 2026
Author : Caroline Janssens
Title : CSRD : first review for food companies

As the first CSRD reports were published in 2025, food companies are drawing an initial assessment of the exercise. Ferrero, Danone and Nestlé stand out as top performers, with reports praised for their transparency.

"Ferrero carried out its double materiality assessment with EY as early as the third quarter of 2024," confirms the CSR Director of Ferrero Benelux. "We identified 22 material issues, 8 of which are considered major: climate, biodiversity, child rights, responsible nutrition, supply chain, water, packaging and working conditions."

Ferrero Benelux's first CSRD report was published in June 2025. The second, covering the 2025 financial year, is being prepared for June 2026. "It is a demanding exercise, but we see it as an opportunity to structure our CSR approach," she adds.

Nevertheless, the SMEs subcontracting for Ferrero express concerns about the reporting requirements that will be passed down to them in a cascade.

Tone : NEUTRAL


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ARTICLE 9
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Source : Pub / Communication Awards
Date : 7 March 2026
Author : Nathalie Wauters
Title : Ferrero wins the 2025 Grand Prix for Corporate Communication

Ferrero Benelux won the Grand Prix for Corporate Communication at the Belgian Communication Awards ceremony, for its campaign "Made in Ardennes — Everyday excellence."

The campaign, which highlighted the expertise of the Arlon plant's staff, was praised for "its authenticity, the consistency between its CSR narrative and the reality on the ground, and its ability to humanise a large industrial company."

The jury particularly appreciated the series of 12 video portraits broadcast on LinkedIn, which accumulated 2.8 million organic views and an engagement rate of 4.7% — well above the LinkedIn average (1.5%).

"This campaign illustrates the best that corporate communication can do: give a voice to the women and men who make our products," commented the jury chair.

Tone : POSITIVE


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ARTICLE 10
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Source : Trends Tech & Industry
Date : 10 March 2026
Author : Pieter Vermeulen
Title : Energy transition : Ferrero goes 100% renewable in Arlon

The Arlon site, one of the largest Nutella plants in the world, now runs on 100% renewable electricity thanks to a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) signed with a Belgian renewable energy producer.

The 15-year contract covers 35 GWh per year, the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 8,000 households. The electricity comes from a wind farm located in the province of Luxembourg, less than 100 km from the site.

"This is a major step towards our Scope 1+2 carbon neutrality target in 2030," states the Industrial Director of Ferrero Benelux. "Our Scope 2 emissions fell by a further 18% this year."

The site has also installed 4,200 sqm of photovoltaic panels on its roofs and replaced 3 gas boilers with high-temperature heat pumps.

In total, Ferrero's energy investments in the Benelux represent 18 million euros in 2025.

Tone : POSITIVE


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END OF ARTICLE CORPUS

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTIONS :
Use Copilot to produce a structured press review from these 10 articles.
Your synthesis must include:
1. A table : Outlet | Date | Title | Tone | Key messages picked up
2. A breakdown of tones (positive/neutral/negative) with percentages
3. The 3 dominant topics of the week
4. The 3 points of attention for General Management
5. A Communication action recommendation (5 lines max)
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