Mars to invest $70m in US manufacturing sector

Mars Chocolate North America has revealed that it will make a $70m re-investment to strengthen its supply chain in the US.

The company anticipates that its new investment would create nearly 250 employment opportunities at its manufacturing sites across the country, and would ensure that nearly 95% of its products distributed across the country are manufactured in the US.

The new initiative reflects the company's commitment towards American manufacturing and innovation segment, as well as its support to the US communities in which the company operates.

The move builds upon $1bn in the US manufacturing investments over the past five years, which have resulted in creation of more than 1,000 American jobs across its portfolio, which includes chocolate, food, petcare, drinks and symbioscience.  

Mars Chocolate North America president Tracey Massey said: "Mars believes in the value of keeping our operations in America, it's good for our people, our business and our consumers.

"This investment will create new American jobs in communities across the country while also enabling us to offer more product innovation, choice and transparency to our consumers."

Last year, Mars has assured that it will be investing more than $900m in its US supply chain, which will add to its previous $1bn investment.

The investments include $72m in Fort Smith, Alaska, to support Mars Petcare, which created nearly 130 new regional jobs, and a $100m investment was made for new Royal Canin's plant at the New Sioux City, South Dakota.

The company also invested $4.8m to expand the Mars Symbioscience site in Germantown, Maryland, which helped in creating 23 new jobs.

Mars invested $50m to expand Wrigley's facility in Yorkville, Illinois, as well as enhance Skittles production that lead to a 25% increase in jobs.

It has also made a $31m investment to update the Mars Food factory in Greenville, Mississippi, which created more than 25 jobs.

The company opened 31 new Banfield hospitals and hired 4,188 associates, as well as opened its new headquarters in Vancouver, Washington, last year.

Massey added: "Our consumers are known for trying new things. They are increasingly paying attention to what they eat, but they also want to treat themselves.

"Our supply chain transformation will allow us to balance consumers' unique, changing needs while continuing to meet demand for their most beloved products."