A recipe for success
Ten years later, he moved his business to Minneapolis, Minnesota and in 1923 the Milky Way® Bar was first introduced, propelling the company from a $100,000 business to almost $800,000 in only a year. By 1929, the growing company was in need of a more centrally located facility with railroad access to other parts of the country. Therefore Mars, Incorporated moved its operations to a plant in Chicago, Illinois, that continues to be part of the Mars network today. At this time Frank Mars’ son Forrest also joined the family business and headed for England, where he developed a sweeter bar with combined layers, the Mars® Bar. Within a year his workforce had grown from 12 to 100 employees.
Feeding pets
In 1935, Forrest Mars made the first move into pet food and pioneered the combination of modern manufacturing techniques with nutritional science. However, with war approaching, he returned to the USA, with a revolutionary idea to give chocolate a protective candy coat to stop it from melting. In 1940, he produced the world-famous M&M’s® Chocolate Candies. Forrest Mars also bought a stake in a packaged rice firm and success was ensured when M&M’s® and Uncle Ben’s Long Grain Rice® were adopted as a staple ration for US forces.
Growth, expansion and innovation
Things have changed quite a bit since those modest beginnings and over the years the company has gone through periods of massive global growth, expansion and broadening of product lines. With innovative ideas like putting pet food into pouches, providing two minute microwaveable rice and creating ice cream versions of favorite chocolate bars.
Mars Today
Today, Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest family-owned companies, and one of the fastest growing food companies, with six distinct global business segments - Chocolate, Pet Care, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience and Wrigley. The combination of Mars and Wrigley brings together two strong international food businesses, which share similar heritages, cultures, principles and beliefs as well as common foundations as family led businesses. Our best-in-class global brands continue to be supported by world-class associates with the goal of delivering the highest quality brands to our customers and consumers.
History of MARS Italia
Mars Italia is the associated company of Mars that markets on the national territory some of the most popular brands included in three different business segments: Chocolate Snackfood, Food, and Petcare.
Mars, International started operating in Italy in 1966, with six Associates working for two different companies: Mars Italia S.p.A., in charge of distributing confectionery products, and Petfood Italia S.p.A., dedicated to the distribution of pet food. In 1978 both companies were merged together into one entity and gave life to DOLMA S.p.A., which changed its registered name into Masterfoods S.p.A. on May 1, 2002.In July 2007, within the framework of a process aimed at harmonizing the group’s companies, the original registered name, Mars Italia S.p.A., was reintroduced.
In 2008 Mars Italia, based in Assago Milanofiori (Mi), was recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute® as one of the best working environments.
