From the Ground Up: 3 Things I Learned from Mars Wrigley Manufacturing Associates

Over the past 20 years I’ve led business in about 18 categories, big, small, start-ups, emerging businesses, you name it. I’ve approached learning a new business in a number of different ways. In leading one of the truly iconic North American businesses, Mars Wrigley, I’ve officially confirmed that to get to know a business, truly get to know it, you need to speak to the people closest to the product. Those that understand what it takes to create it and make it come to life for consumers everyday. Those who get a scorecard after every shift that determines whether they got it right or not. Those who create smiles not because it’s their job, but because it’s their passion. 

When I joined Mars Wrigley in May, I had two objectives when designing my executive on-boarding: engage with as many Associates in as short of a period of time as possible, and prioritize our manufacturing Associates, the heartbeat of our company. Over the past four months, I had the fortune to connect with hundreds of Mars Wrigley manufacturing Associates to listen, hear their ideas, get some free advice and understand their passion for our iconic brands. Here’s what I learned.

Lesson 1: The Value of Personal Impact

In researching Mars, I knew the company was a story of true entrepreneurship that helped build a core global industry. It proudly supports U.S. communities where we live and work. We have a long and proud history of innovating and investing in America’s manufacturing base. In the last five years, Mars has invested over $1 billion in the U.S., creating more than 1,000 new jobs. And for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.82 is added to our economy – a multiplier effect even higher than most other sectors.

On a personal level, I’m grateful to witness manufacturing’s impact. Many of our U.S.manufacturing Associates are long tenured and beacons of their local communities. Often times serving in key community posts and providing a source of community support in places like Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Where Site Director, Carl Freeman and his team are embedded into the fabric of this unique southeast Pennsylvania community. When you connect with a Mars Wrigley manufacturing Associate you get passion, an expectation of excellence and a healthy acknowledgement that “we can do better.” They articulate the inner workings of their equipment with precision and pride and are often our best brand ambassadors. I’ve met second, third and sometimes fourth generation Associates who’ve grown up in the MarsWrigley family. They have memories that span decades and an unmatched level of pride that helps drive safety, quality and continuous improvement in our factories.

Lesson 2: Eyes on the Future

We live in a world where our human minds cannot process the rate of constant change. What I’ve learned from these conversations is a big reason Associates stay with Mars Wrigley is our opportunity to shape the future of U.S. manufacturing. We continue to work together with policy makers, governments and businesses to help guide policies that create a positive environment for manufacturing and invest in technology that secures our competitive advantage. Keeping jobs in the U.S. has provided Mars with benefits like access to a skilled, committed work force, increased speed and reliability, managing our carbon footprint and delighting our consumers.

This is true of our most recent commitment to invest $60 million in our manufacturing site in Gainesville, GA, maker of our new Extra Refreshers gum. Not only is the investment expected to result in more than 120 new jobs, but it will help the factory be more efficient and maintain their status as industry leaders in quality and food safety – and help Mars Wrigley continue to hold a top three position in the best places to work in manufacturing ranking.

Lesson 3: Know Your Passion and Purpose

More than 90 percent of Mars Wrigley’s confectionery products for the U.S. market are manufactured inside the U.S. by our Associates on a manufacturing line. Our Associates make sure your Skittles® candies “S” is stamped just right, that your DOVE® Chocolate bar is consistently smooth and creamy, the peanuts in your M&M’S® Peanut are roasted to perfection and the nougat and unique swirl on your Snickers® bar is the same every time.

My most meaningful learning from this journey is the value of being connected to your purpose. When you ask Associates why they love working at Mars Wrigley you often hear a story like this one: “When I go into a store and see someone smile when they pick up a Milky Way, I’m so proud to be a part of that. It brings me joy to know I helped created that smile.”

Thank you again to all of our manufacturing Associates for your passion, commitment to excellence and the warm welcome. Shout out to all of you in Albany, GA; Burr Ridge, IL; Chicago, IL, Cleveland, TN; Henderson, NV; Elizabethtown, PA; Hackettstown, NJ; Waco, TX; Topeka, KS; Newmarket, Canada; Gainesville, GA; Chattanooga, TN; Yorkville, IL; West Chicago, IL. Thank you for creating better moments that make the world smile, and delivering small moments of joy to millions of consumers around the U.S. We are united in our five principles and our vision of building a better world.