Success over the years : from 1911 and the first candies made in the family kitchen in Tacoma, Washington to 2008 and the acquisition of Wrigleys, Mars, Incorporated story is that of an enterprising and innovative spirit that sees the sky as the limit.
1911 Frank C. Mars starts making confectionery in his kitchen in Tacoma, Washington.
1923 Frank C. Mars and his son Forrest E. Mars create the Milky Way® bar
1932 Forrest E. Mars starts the chocolate business in Slough, England
1935 Mars, Incorporated, acquires British petfood maker Chappel Brothers Ltd.
1940 Forrest E. Mars returns to the US and creates the chocolate candies M&M’s®, which are included in GIs’ rations during World War II.
1946 Uncle Ben’s®, the first parboiled rice, hits the market
1955 Four Square is created in Slough, England, to explore vending opportunities
1965 The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition opens in Waltham, England
1973 Four Square starts the KLIX® cassette system, a revolution in drinks vending
1982 M&M’s® go up into space with the first NASA shuttle
1986 Dolmio® pasta sauces appear on shop shelves in Europe
1989 Doveurope starts operating in Steinbourg, France, producing the ice cream equivalents of most Mars® bars
1989 Seeds of Change® is born
1990 The Mars® bar and M&M’s® are official partners of the World Cup of football in Italy
1991 We start selling chocolate confectionery in Russia and the Community of Independent States
1995 The lights of the Empire State Building in Manhattan turn blue to celebrate the birth of blue M&M’s®
2000 A joint venture is established with Ebly®, in which Mars, Incorporated, become the major shareolder
2002 Mars, Incorporated, acquires Royal Canin, the French specialist of nutrition and health for dogs and cats.
2002 Mars, Incorporated, acquires fishcare producer Rena
2007 The new corporate brand, Mars, Incorporated, is launched globally. Mars in France is divided into two businesses: Mars Chocolat France and Mars Petcare & Food France.
2008 Mars, Incorporated, acquires Wrigley, the leading producer of chewing-gum and non-chocolate confectionery.
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