Mars Launches State Of The Art Manufacturing Facility In Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah Economic City, December 9, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Mars Saudi Arabia announced the official launch of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh, in the presence of high level government officials and dignitaries from the business community. The new factory, which produces a range of GALAXY® Brand Chocolates, is the first food manufacturing facility in the Kingdom to achieve LEED - Gold certification. Mars’ US$ 80 MM investment in the factory to date reflects the company’s continued commitment to world class, sustainable manufacturing, and Mars’ confidence in the country’s strong leadership and dynamic workforce.

“Our products have been present in Saudi Arabia for over 30 years, and we are proud that they are among the Kingdom’s favorites. So, it is very exciting that we now employ Saudi nationals to manufacture the products right here!” declared Sami Darouni, President of Mars Middle East, Turkey and Africa. “This factory reaffirms our long term commitment to this market, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to invest in the development of local talent. In fact we have achieved Platinum Level in the Ministry of Labor’s Nitiqaat Program, which measures the percentage of Saudis employed by our business,” he went on to say.

On this occasion, Mr. Rayan Qutub, CEO Indistrial Valley, King Abdullah Economic City, said: “It is with a great pleasure that I congratulate MARS on the launch of this superb factory. Today’s inaugural event is another milestone for KAEC and a shining example of our success in attracting leading global companies to establish their manufacturing facilities in the Industrial Valley.”

In addition to investments in the local workforce, with the factory launch Mars is putting its Principles into Action by ensuring the operation is environmentally Responsible: built according to LEED Gold standards, which is recognized across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building, the factory’s advanced technology will guarantee efficiency not only in terms of production quality but also in terms of practices in renewable energy, solar energy and waste water treatment.

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

For more information about Mars, Incorporated, please visit www.mars.com.

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