Mars Wrigley invests $30 million onshoring to Ballarat factory

Not content with making only five billion M&M’S and one million PODS confectionery a year, food manufacturer Mars Wrigley has announced a $30 million investment in its Ballarat plant.

The investment in 2021/22 will go towards the continued expansion of Mars Wrigley’s local chocolate making capabilities by allowing the manufacturer to introduce more variants to its chocolate bar lines.

One new product is the MARS RASPBERRY SMASH which is available at major retailers nationwide.

It will also allow for Mars Wrigley to roll out asset improvements and enhancements to both the M&M’S and PODS production lines.

Mars Wrigley’s Ballarat factory is the only manufacturing site in the world that makes PODS which were developed by the Australian operation, and exported to 17 countries.

The equipment upgrades will allow the business to continue manufacturing and distributing the product throughout Australia.

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

Mars Wrigley Australia general manager Andrew Leakey said: “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.

“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.”

Leakey said the company recognised the need to future proof ‘not only our business, but also the food & beverage manufacturing industry’.

“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.”

Mars Wrigley’s Ballarat also produces its MILKY WAY products.

The company’s oldest brand, JUICY FRUIT, has a heritage of over 100 years in Australia and has been manufactured locally for 60.

Picture: Mars Wrigley

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