Mars Wrigley Australia will be investing $30 million into expanding its Ballarat factory over the coming two years.
The new investment, which comes from Mars Wrigley’s $37 million commitment to upgrade equipment, will advance the company’s local manufacturing capabilities and future-proof its Australian operations.
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The expansion will allow the manufacturer to introduce more variants to its chocolate bar line, including the new Mars Raspberry Smash, which is available at major retailers across Australia.
Andrew Leakey, General Manager of Mars Wrigley Australia, said that the company wants to make more products in the country.
“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,” 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,” he said.
He continued that as one of Australia’s largest manufacturers, Mars Wrigley recognises the important role to play in helping future proof not only their business, but also the food & beverage manufacturing industry.
The company will be using the new investment roll-out enhancements and asset improvements, particularly across the M&M’s and Pods lines.
The upgrades will allow the Ballarat factory, which is the only manufacturing site in the world that makes Pods, to continue manufacturing and distributing the product throughout Australia.
Mars Wrigley will also introduce a new packaging line for Maltesers, which will allow it to increase production and meet demand across Asia.
Mars Wrigley’s factory in Ballarat, Victoria, produces chocolate brands such as Maltesers, Milky Way, M&M’s, and Mars which are exported to 17 countries.
Additionally, the factory makes about 1 billion Pods a year and 5 billion M&M’s a year.
These new technological advancements from this latest round investment will go to the company’s ongoing commitment to upskilling staff and building a robust talent pipeline.