Mars
Since 1880
United States
North America
Elm Street 6885 McLean Virginia 22101
Top managers:
Poul Weihrauch
Assets
Business in Russia and CIS countries
Main article: Mars CIS
History
2023
How Mars uses the labour of 5-year-olds
At the end of November 2023, it became known that the American company Mars, which owns brands such as Snickers, Milky Way, Twix, Bounty, M&M's, Whiskas and Pedigree, uses the labor of five-year-olds in Ghana. This comes against the backdrop of Mars' promises to completely eradicate child labor in its supply chains by 2025.
Preschool children are attracted to plantations in Ghana to harvest cocoa beans, CBS News reports. At the same time, the guys use huge machetes - almost as big as they themselves. The raw materials collected are sent to warehouses and ultimately supplied in the interests of Mars.
Earlier, Mars said that the company helped thousands of local children who fell under a special monitoring program. Its task is to prevent the use of child labor on cocoa plantations and to provide education in schools. However, a study conducted by CBS News employees suggests that in fact this program is ineffective. Many children on monitoring lists continue to work on plantations and do not attend classes in educational institutions. Moreover, some of the names on the list were simply invented. Only a third of the roughly 300 students listed at one of the schools that CBS News correspondents visited do come to classes. At the same time, all students said that they collect cocoa beans either before or after school. Another problem is that Mars inspectors in their own program do not monitor the process of teaching children in schools.
We condemn the use of child labour and consider any allegations of misconduct in our supply chain very seriously. We will conduct a thorough investigation as soon as we receive the necessary information and take appropriate action, company officials said in response to CBS News' investigation.[1] |
Kevin's Natural Foods $800m purchase
On July 5, 2023, Mars Corporation announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire ready-made dishes and sauces manufacturer Kevin's Natural Food. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read more [[|here]].
2022: Appointment of Pole Wairauh as Mars' new CEO
On June 22, 2022, Grant Reed, who had served as CEO since 2014, announced that he would leave the company. It will be led by Pole Wairauch, who is the global president of Mars Petcare. Read more here.
2020: Among the world leaders in pollution of the environment with plastic packaging
2010
1969: Mars Sr. founder and executive retires
In 1969, Forrest E. Mars Sr. leaves for a well-deserved rest.
1968: Takeover of animal feed supplier Kal Kan Foods
In 1968, Mars expanded its animal feed business into the U.S. market through the acquisition of Kal Kan Foods in Los Angeles, California.
1967: Pet food launched in Australia
In 1967, the company's facility in Australia, formerly producing Uncle Ben's products, began producing pet food in the city of Wodonga.
1965: Pet Nutrition Study Center opens
In 1965, the Waltham Pet Food Centre was established in Britain. His task is to study the dietary needs and preferences of pets to improve the quality of their nutrition and health.
1964: Peanut Production Launches
In 1964, Mars founded a local production of high-quality peanuts Mars, Incorporated is opening a production site called "Peanut Masters" in the heart of Georgia's "peanut state" - in the city of Albany to ensure a reliable supply of quality nuts for SNICKERS bars and M&M'S peanut chocolate dragee.
1962: Production expands in the Netherlands and Britain
In 1962, Forrest E. Mars Jr. built the first confectionery in the city of Weghel (Netherlands) and became its director. Mars Foods is starting production in King's Lynn, Britain, and marketing campaigns are being launched in France and Sweden to promote pet food.
1959
Moving headquarters to Washington
Forrest E. Mars Jr. is moving the corporate office of Mars, Incorporated from Newark (New Jersey) to Washington (D.C.).
Mars takes full control of Uncle Ben's marque
In 1959, Mars fully purchased the assets of the founders of Converted Rice, completely acquiring the trademark and patents. In 1959, the company became known as Uncle Ben's, Incorporated.
Uncle Ben's rice was the best-selling rice in the United States from the 1950s to the 1990s.
In addition to rice, other steamed grain products are produced under the brand name, as well as a line of canned sauces.
1958: WHISKAS cat food introduced in the UK
In 1958, a new brand of cat food WHISKAS appeared in the UK.
1955: Launch of Vendepac beverage machines
In 1955, Vendepac was founded in Slough, England. This allows Mars to start a vending business. Vending machines with confectionery products are beginning to be installed at enterprises and commercial organizations.
In time, Vendepac was renamed Four Square and later Mars Drinks.
1946: Appearance of an African American on Uncle Ben's rice packages
Since 1946, the Uncle Ben's rice packaging logo depicts an African American in a bow tie, representing the image of "Uncle Ben," it is believed that the prototype was a maitre d'otel of one of the Chicago hotels.
1942: Mars enters the rice market
The Uncle Ben's brand was first used by the British Converted Rice, created by rice steaming developers Francis Rogers and Erich Huzenlaub. In 1942, Converted Rice and Mars Corporation created a joint venture in Houston (state Texas in), USA where the bulk of the brand's products were produced.
1941: M&M'S Chocolate Drage Invented for US Military
Main article: World War II
In 1945, the M&M'S brand was presented to a wide range of consumers and brought the company $1 billion.
1935: Purchase of British dog food manufacturer Chappie
In 1935, Mars expanded its operations and began producing products for animals. Mars is buying Chappell Brothers, Ltd., a British company that makes CHAPPIE canned dog food.
1930: Mars starts selling Snickers chocolate bar
1929: Mars moves to Chicago with employees
In 1929, Mars opened a plant to produce its products in Chicago. Together with the company, about 200 employees move there. Thanks to a more profitable location, in particular successful transport accessibility, the business is growing rapidly. This year, Frank Forrest's only son E. Mars Sr. officially joins the family business.
1923: Frank Mars launches sale of Milky Way bar
Father-son collaboration results in new chocolate bar In 1923, Frank and his son, Forrest the Elder, represented MILKY WAY - "malt milk in chocolate." The success of chocolate allowed Frank and his son to hire a permanent staff of sales representatives.
1922: Frank Mars adds MAR-O-BAR bar to his product range
The company, known as MAR-O-BAR Company (Minneapolis), brings in less than $100,000 a year. Due to the "delicate" structure, the chocolate bar is difficult to transport.
1920
Mars founder starts confectionery business The Nougat House
Frank Mars moves to Minneapolis (USA) and finds opportunities for development. In 1920, he launched the candy business The Nougat House. The production of Patricia Chocolates, named after his daughter Patricia, who was born in marriage with his second wife Veronica, begins.
Construction begins on Chicago's historic Wrigley Building
Construction begins on the historic Wrigley Building. It becomes a symbol of Chicago and is mentioned in many articles, books, films and television programs.
1914: Doublemint gum comes on the market
Doublemint's elastic was originally advertised as having "Double Value," "Doubly Mint, Double Wrapped and Always Refreshing."
1911: Future company founder Frank Mars begins cooking fudge in his kitchen
Frank Mars, in his kitchen in the state's Tacoma city Washington USA , begins cooking and selling creamy fudge.
1893: Sales of Juicy Fruit and Spearmint chewing gums kick off
In the spring of 1891, William Wrigley Jr. came to Chicago (USA). He is 29, has a great talent for sales and $23 in his pocket. He starts selling baking powder and one day decides to offer each customer a can of baking powder chewing gum as a gift.
In 1893, Juicy Fruit, the oldest brand of the Wrigley Company, went into production just months before Wrigley's Spearmint.