Special Ins攀爀t candy & snacks MaMarrss I Innveveststss $7 $700 MMiillillioonn i inn H Haackckeettttssttoowwnn,, nnJ PlJ Plaantnt By Abasto ars announced an investment of more than According to the company, the multi-year investment in the $70 million in its Hackettstown, New Jersey Hackettstown factory began in 2023, supporting Mars' ongoing plant further to strengthen its commitment commitment to quality and food safety by incorporating a new to innovation and manufacturing excellence. state-of-the-art chocolate production facility. According to a company press release, "At Mars, our commitment to quality and innovation has M this investment supports a Research been at the core of our business for more than a century," said and Development (R&D) Innovation Study that includes Anton Vincent, president of Mars Wrigley North America and implementing a new test kitchen, packaging lab, manufacturing Global Ice Cream. e昀케ciency improvements, and food safety advancements at the "吀栀e continued investment in our Hackettstown plant Hackettstown plant. rea昀케rms our commitment to innovation in New Jersey and 吀栀e R&D Innovation Studio in Hackettstown, which belongs enhancing our associates' facilities to create more moments to Mars, is adapting to changing consumer preferences to of everyday happiness for our consumers," Vincent explained. accelerate innovation and product development. 吀栀e opening of the New Jersey Innovation Studio follows the recent opening of Mars Snacking's $42 million Research A SPACE FOR INNOVATION and Development Center in Chicago. 吀栀is innovation center will support the production of Mars Wrigley's iconic U.S.-made products, such as M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, SKITTLES®, , y w Jerse STARBURST®, EXTRA®, and ALTOIDS®, as well as the ory in Ne Mars has a long hist company's future product innovations. ark more w ing opened its doors in Ne v 吀栀e upgraded packaging lab will facilitate the development ha ears ago and been part of the and testing of sustainable packaging materials, in line with than 80 y Mars' commitment to a circular economy where packaging 58. 9 1 e c n i s ty i n mmu o c n w o t s tt e k c Ha materials are recycled, reused, or composted instead of becoming waste. 吀栀is approach rea昀케rms Mars' commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility throughout its manufacturing process. 88 MMAAYYOO//JJUUNNIIO 20O 20224 - 4 - AABABASSTTOO..CCOMOM
Abasto Magazine - May/June 2024 Page 71 Page 73