Why Mars is Investing US$2bn in US Manufacturing
Mars has confirmed it is investing US$2bn in its US-based manufacturing network by the end of 2026.
The move represents another clear sign of the company's intention to set up shop in the US, with more than US$6bn invested in manufacturing there over the past five years.
Mars is responsible for dozens of the best-known snacking, food and pet care brands in the world, including M&M'S, Snickers, Ben's Original and Pedigree. An overwhelming majority (94%) of Mars products sold in the US are already produced locally.
Claus Aagaard, Chief Financial Officer at Mars, says the organisation's goal is to build a far more resilient US operation: "This investment is about building a stronger, more resilient business in the US – one that can grow with our consumers, deliver for our partners and create lasting economic impact in the communities where we operate."
Investment backs new manufacturing sites and job creation
Mars' latest investment is already supporting new builds, including a US$240m facility for Nature’s Bakery in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The newly-opened site, covering more than 339,000 square feet, is expected to generate more than 230 jobs locally and provide the brand with capacity to produce nearly one billion bars each year.
Mars acquired Nature’s Bakery in March 2021. Since then, the brand has scaled rapidly and is on pace to more than double its size in five years. The new Salt Lake City site is being positioned as a milestone in the brand’s expansion strategy.
In May this year, Mars also opened a US$450m Royal Canin dry pet food facility in Lewisburg, Ohio. It represents the brand's largest dry pet food factory and has been slated to create up to 270 jobs.
Royal Canin is Mars’ largest brand in the pet nutrition sector. With a focus on science-led pet health, the new Ohio factory marks the single largest investment Mars has made in a Royal Canin production site.
Poul Weihrauch, CEO at Mars, adds: "The US is not only home to our headquarters; it is also our biggest market and a key engine for long-term growth.
"This investment will allow for increased capacity and innovation across Mars diverse portfolio of brands.”
Mars supports long-term growth
Mars remains a family-owned, privately-held business, operating in the US for more than 100 years. It is present in 49 states, runs 38 factories, 16 global and regional offices, and has a footprint extending to veterinary clinics and labs.
Today, the organisation employs more than 70,000 people in the US alone and has added more than 9,000 jobs in the past five years.
Mars defines its business model through its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom. These principles guide its operations across its global business, including in the pet nutrition, veterinary diagnostics and snacking sectors.
With its investment, Mars underlines the importance of the US as its largest global market, not to mention the core role of domestic manufacturing in that strategy. The cash injection is set to not only increase production capacity but support product innovation across the company’s diverse brand portfolio.
Claus emphasises that the investment reflects Mars’ long-term view and commitment to the US market: “The US is our biggest and most important market, and a key engine of growth for the long term – not only through our legacy manufacturing footprint but also through the expansion of strategic acquisitions like Nature’s Bakery, which is already scaling quickly."
By maintaining a strong US presence, Mars aims to respond more rapidly to local consumer needs, strengthen its partnerships and supply chains and ensure long-term economic contributions to the communities where it operates.
