HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- Mars Chocolate North America will reinvest $70 million in its U.S. supply chain. The move ensures that more than 95% of the company's chocolate products for the United States are made in the U.S. It should also enable additional new product innovation, the company said.
This latest commitment builds on $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing investments the company has made over the last five years. This latest pledge will add approximately 250 new jobs to the more than 1,000 already created across all the company's segments including Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Petcare, Drinks and Symbioscience, the company said.
"Our consumers are known for trying new things. They are increasingly paying attention to what they eat, but they also want to treat themselves," said Tracey Massey, president of Mars Chocolate North America. "Our supply-chain transformation will allow us to balance consumers' unique, changing needs while continuing to meet demand for their most beloved products."
Not only is this move important for job creation and product innovation, but it also plays well in the Mars narrative. The company cites data from Nielsen that shows about 75% of millennials say buying American-made products is important to them.
"As a U.S.-based family-owned business, Mars has been investing in local manufacturing and the communities where we do business for over a century," said Mark Johnson, president, Mars Petcare North America, which is also the beneficiary of recent investments. "This commitment is fundamental to our DNA and how we operate. And you'll continue to see investments like this across our businesses."
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