McLean Company Mars Chocolate Opening First U.S. Factory in 35 years

Mars Chocolate North America, headquartered in McLean, has announced the construction of its first candy factory in the United States in 35 years in Topeka, Kansas.

“We are excited to announce our plan to construct this new manufacturing site in Topeka,” said Vice President of Supply at Mars Chocolate North America, Mike Wittman in a company press release. “The site will be a reflection of our commitment to manufacture our products in the markets where we sell them. Mars looks forward to becoming an important part of the Topeka community.”

Construction of the new candy factory will bring jobs and money to the Topeka area in Northeastern Kansas, according to the company's announcements. Mars Chocolate did not respond to a request for comment.

The construction of the 350,000-square-foot factory is the largest investment in Topeka ever, city officials said according to an Associated Press article on the Wichita Eagle website. The article reports that the company was offered incentives to bring the facility to Topeka, including a deal from the city and county governments which allotted free land for the company.

“The Mars Chocolate North America facility is a game-changer for Topeka and will have a profound and enduring economic impact on the community. Topeka fits very well with the corporate principles of Mars Chocolate. The company is proud of its relationship with its associates and will be a superb corporate citizen for Topeka and Kansas. We welcome them to our community with open arms,” said Steve Jenkins, Senior Vice President, GO Topeka Economic Partnership.

Topeka was chosen out of 82 potential sites as the location based on the incentive package and atmosphere of the community, according to an AP story on hutchnews.com. In the article, Jenkins said that the company was looking for a community that was
“on the move and vibrant.”

The construction of the $250 million facility is expected to be completed in 2013. This phase will bring 200 jobs to the community, a number which is expected to at least double as more work is completed according to an article in the Topeka Capital-Journal. The factory will make M&M's and Snickers bars.

Mars is a family owned company which was founded in 1911 in Tacoma, Washington, according to its website. Mars is one of the largest food manufacturing companies in the world, with divisions in countries all over the globe. The company focuses on six areas: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience, according to their website. Mars Chocolate manufactures brands such as M&M'S, Snickers, Dove, Extra and Orbit.

Mars has a workforce of 65,000 people and averages sales of over $30 billion, according to an Area Development Online article.

Mars is headquartered in downtown McLean in a nondescript dark brown building  at 6885 Elm St. The doors are locked. There are no signs, no receptionist and no one answers the door if you knock.

As a private, family-owned company, Mars, Incorporated is governed by a Board of Directors. The Directors are members of the Mars family. Several family members live in very quietly in McLean.