Mars Announces Major US Investment and Strategic Shifts to Fuel Growth

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Mars, Incorporated is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to bolster its growth, combining significant capital expenditure in the United States with key leadership and distribution changes. This move comes as the global confectionery and pet care giant adapts to a reshaped competitive landscape following its acquisition of Kellanova's portfolio.

• A new Global Vice President of Supply has been appointed for the Food & Nutrition division.
• The company has entered a distribution partnership to expand its pet health product reach.
• Plans are in place to invest $2 billion in US manufacturing sites by the end of 2026.

A strategic leadership change is underway within Mars's supply chain operations. The company announced that Chris Sackree will assume the role of Global Vice President of Supply for its Food & Nutrition business. He succeeds Dale Creaser, who is retiring in April after a nearly 30-year tenure with the organization. Sackree will now oversee the end-to-end supply chain for brands including Ben's Original and Kevin's Natural Foods. This appointment is timed to support the realignment of operational processes following the completion of the Kellanova merger in December.

Expanding Reach in Pet Care

Concurrently, Mars is taking steps to enhance its footprint in the lucrative pet health sector. A partnership agreement with epiq Animal Health, finalized this Tuesday, is set to substantially broaden the distribution network for its Greenies dental care products. The collaboration aims to increase product availability in veterinary clinics through specialized distributors. This initiative aligns with the broader objective of Mars Petcare to accelerate growth within the veterinary channel by achieving more comprehensive market coverage.

$2 Billion Commitment to US Manufacturing

To underpin its long-term growth ambitions, Mars has committed to a substantial $2 billion investment program targeting its US production infrastructure, with completion slated for the end of 2026. This capital injection continues a five-year trend, during which the corporation has already channeled more than $6 billion into expanding domestic capacity and fostering innovation.

Sustainability Progress Amid Expansion

Alongside these operational and financial developments, Mars continues to advance its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda. Chief Sustainability Officer Alastair Child was recognized today for his leadership in executing strategies focused on emission reduction and regenerative agriculture. Recent corporate reporting demonstrates that ecological and economic goals can progress simultaneously: by the end of 2024, Mars had reduced its emissions by 16.4% while simultaneously reporting an increase in revenue.