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Mars Wrigley invests $30 million in Ballarat manufacturing capabilities

Mars Wrigley

Mars Wrigley Australia has announced it will invest $30 million into its Ballarat factory over 2021-22, to continue advancing its local manufacturing capabilities and future-proof its Australian operations.  

This new investment will help Mars Wrigley continue to expand its local chocolate making capabilities, allowing the manufacturer to introduce more variants to its chocolate bar line. This includes the new Mars Raspberry Smash, which is available at major retailers across Australia. 

It will also allow Mars Wrigley’s assets to be improved and enhance both the M&M’s and PODS product lines. The Ballarat factory is the only manufacturing site in the world that makes PODS – these equipment upgrades will allow the business to continue manufacturing and distributing the product throughout Australia. 

Mars Wrigley
Mars Wrigley general manager, Andrew Leakey. Image: Mars Wrigley.

The investment will also introduce a new packaging line for the MALTESERS product to allow for an increased volume of production. This will unlock increased export opportunities to growth markets across Asia during the peak season demand.   

“While the majority of our products are made in Australia today, our ambition is to make even more of our products here in the future,” Mars Wrigley Australia general manager Andrew Leakey said. 

“The new $30 million investment into our Ballarat factory will support our ambition by enhancing our on-shore manufacturing technologies and capabilities to ensure our Australian business remains globally competitive.”  

As one of Australia’s largest manufacturers, Mars Wrigley recognises it has an important role to play in future-proofing the business and the food and beverage manufacturing industry, according to Leakey. 

“The new technological advancements at our Ballarat factory from this latest round investment will feed into our ongoing commitment to upskilling our Associates and building a robust talent pipeline,” he said. 

Mars Wrigley’s Ballarat factory produces some of Australia’s most beloved chocolate brands such as MALTESERS, MILKY WAY, M&M’s, MARS and PODS. 

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