This new investment builds on earlier investments by the company in EU manufacturing over the past five years, modernising facilities, increasing production capacity
Aimed at strengthening the region’s manufacturing capabilities, sustainability and innovation pipeline, and increasing its economic resilience, Mars, the maker of M&M’s and Skittles, said that it will invest one billion euros (USD 1.18 billion) in its European Union operations by the end of 2026.
This new investment builds on earlier investments by the company in EU manufacturing over the past five years, modernising facilities, increasing production capacity and accelerating efforts to decarbonise its value chain. These investments support the company’s 24 factories across 10 EU countries and the 25,000 people it employs in its direct operations.
“We take a long-term view – we believe in Europe and we would like to see more growth for the benefit of consumers in the EU economies. Our investments are designed to keep our operations world-class, competitive and aligned with the EU’s long-term priorities,” said Claus Aagaard, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mars.
85 per cent of Mars products sold in the EU are produced locally within the EU, which is also an export hub to over 100 markets around the world, the company said in an official statement. To continue the decoupling of growth from emissions, Mars is embedding environmental initiatives across key stages of its value chain. In 2022, its ice cream factory in Steinbourg, France – home to Snickers, Twix and Bounty ice cream bars – became powered entirely by renewable electricity.
In the official statement, the company said that it is investing significantly in modernising its manufacturing footprint across the EU, upgrading facilities to boost efficiency, product quality and consumer innovation from new packaging technologies such as WHISKAS recyclable pouch to new gum formats such as Extra/Orbit refreshers.
