Mars invests $180M to upgrade Ontario facilities

Mars invests $180 million to upgrade its three plants in Ontario.

More than $100 million was spent in transforming packing lines with safety equipment systems and sustainability-related improvements.

“Rooted in more than a century of Canadian history, this investment represents both the future of our industry and our unwavering commitment to the Canadian market and economy,” said Ellen Thompson, general manager, Mars Snacking Canada.

The investments broken up across the facilities include:

Mars Pet Nutrition (Bolton) – $86 million to enhance manufacturing capabilities and sustainable operations, resulting in a 50 per cent increase in production capacity of Temptations care and treat operations, a 15 per cent reduction in the site’s water use, and 13 per cent reduction in the site’s gas and hydro consumption.

Mars Snacking (Newmarket) – $40 million in upgrade to packaging line that produces Mars Bars, 3 Muskateers, Milky Way Standard and Milty Way Midnight. The upgrades delivered a 25 per cent increase in overall production capacity, a 40 per cent reduction in the filled bar line’s electricity use, and a 75 per cent reduction in the line’s compressed air consumption.

Mars Food & Nutrition (Bolton) – $17 million to enhance production lines for Ben’s Original and other brands in the Food & Nutrition portfolio, increasing capacity by 8 per cent and reducing the site’s energy use by 93 kilowatt hours per day.

Royal Canin, a Mars Company (Guelph) – $39 million to modernize operations and strengthen manufacturing capabilities across the facility, resulting in a 12 per cent increase in production capacity, a 12 per cent reduction in the site’s thermal energy use, and an 11 per cent reduction in electrical energy use.

Mars employs 1,800 associates across Bolton, Newmarket and Guelph plants.