Mars has announced an investment of more than $70 million in its Hackettstown, New Jersey site to support innovation and manufacturing.
It will support a Research and Development (R&D) Innovation Studio—including a new test kitchen and packaging lab—along with manufacturing efficiencies and advancements in food safety at the Hackettstown manufacturing factory.
The R&D Innovation Studio will include a new prototyping kitchen, packaging lab, and collaboration space with the intent of increasing the speed of innovation and development to meet evolving consumer preferences.
The capabilities in the Innovation Studio will support Mars Wrigley products produced in the U.S. including M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, SKITTLES®, STARBURST®, EXTRA®, and ALTOIDS® as well as new product innovations.
The updated packaging studio will allow for development and testing of sustainable packaging materials to support Mars’ contribution to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste, but is recycled, reused, or composted.
The multi-year investment in the Hackettstown manufacturing factory began in 2023 and supports Mars’ continued commitment to quality and food safety with the addition of a new, state-of-the-art chocolate production facility.
“At Mars, our commitment to quality and innovation has been at the center of our business for more than a century,” said Anton Vincent, President Mars Wrigley North America and Global Ice Cream. “The continued investment in our Hackettstown site re-affirms our commitment to innovation in New Jersey and upskilling our Associates with best-in-class facilities to create more moments of everyday happiness for our consumers.”