MCLEAN, Va. -- Forrest E. Mars Jr. died at age 84 on July 26, candy maker Mars Inc. has announced.
He was born in 1931 in Oak Park, Ill., to Forrest E. Mars Sr. and his wife, Audrey. With his brother, John, and sister, Jacqueline, he inherited a significant business and grew it into one of the world's largest family firms, helping to increase its sales from $1 billion to $35 billion, providing 80 thousand jobs worldwide in 78 countries.
He began his career in 1955 as a certified public accountant, working as an auditor for Price Waterhouse after serving in the Army for two years. He joined Mars Inc. as financial staff officer for M&M's Candies in 1959.
Two years later, he was appointed general manager of a new confectionery factory to be built in Veghel, Netherlands. He managed the factory until 1966, when he moved with his family to Neuilly-sur-Seine, outside of Paris, to become managing director of Mars France.
Mars moved to McLean, Va., in 1970 to assume responsibility for the company's confectionery operations as group vice president, working with his brother, John, also a group vice president, who managed the company's pet food, vending and money systems operations. Eventually, the two brothers took joint responsibility for all company functions, and in 1975, they became co-presidents of Mars.
Following his retirement in 1999, Mars continued to provide guidance and counsel to the company’s leaders.
Mars and his siblings codified a set of business values that they inherited from their father into the “Five Principles”—quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency and freedom—that guide the business worldwide.
He was a leading philanthropist, supporting environmental preservation projects such as the American Prairie Reserve and numerous projects in support of American history, such as the Brinton Museum of Western and American Indian Art in Big Horn, Wyo., and the Mars Hall of American Business at the American History Museum.
Mars is survived by a wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous extended family members.
"Forrest was a great inspiration to all of us at Mars Inc.," said Grant F. Reid, CEO and office of the president for Mars. "He was instrumental in building our business, while remaining committed to the founding principles of the company. Forrest will be sorely missed, but his contributions and the legacy he leaves behind at Mars will be long lasting."
The family said it is handling funeral arrangements privately.
Mars Chocolate North America, a unit of Mars Inc., is based in Hackettstown, N.J. Mars Inc., McLean, Va., has net sales of more than $33 billion and six business segments: Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience and Petcare. Chocolate brands include M&M's, Snickers, Dove, Galaxy, Mars, Milky Way and Twix. Wrigley brands include Doublemint, Extra, Orbit and 5 chewing gums; Skittles and Starburst candies; and Altoids and Lifesavers mints.
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