West Chester, Penn. (Oct. 3, 2014) – Mars Drinks, makers of workplace designed drinks and technologies like ALTERRA® Coffee Roasters coffee and FLAVIA® brewers, celebrated the completion of its global headquarters today. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the 196,000 square-foot facility is the center for innovative solutions that will enable Mars Drinks to better serve its customers in nearly every work environment.
The company invested $29 million to renovate its global business campus that now includes coffee roasting capabilities to complement its coffee grinding and packaging operations. The company also expanded its research and development facilities and created 54 new full-time jobs, ranging from roasting operators to global marketing associates to research and development experts.
“Our new facility provides the ideal environment where we can focus even more on quality, innovation, collaboration, customer-centricity, and operational excellence,” said Xavier Unkovic, Global President of Mars Drinks. “As we grow, we remain committed to delivering drinks solutions that cater to people at work for every occasion, palate, and place of connection.”
With the installation of coffee roasting equipment, Mars Drinks took more control of its supply chain to deliver even fresher taste to people in workplaces across the globe. Mars Drinks will now roast its 100% sustainably sourced coffee on-site in West Chester. Through the renovation, Mars Drinks also invested in its commitment to sustainability, designing the site to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council. Sustainable choices include the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, electronically tinted glass and highly-insulated roofing.
“We built this space to reflect our 100% dedication to helping our workplace customers make life at work better for their people, but most especially we built it to be a place for our own people to be inspired and proud to come to each day,” Unkovic continued.
“Today’s grand opening at Mars Drinks is one example of the many great manufacturing success stories occurring all over the commonwealth, and proof that we are truly building a stronger Pennsylvania,” said Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley. “When businesses such as Mars Drinks are looking to expand, we can tell them to look no further, because Pennsylvania has the climate for businesses to thrive and the skilled workforce they demand.”
“Mars, Incorporated has been an outstanding corporate citizen in East Goshen Township and the West Chester area community for many years,” said East Goshen Township Board of Supervisors E. Martin Shane. “The East Goshen Board of Supervisors was pleased to be part of the process that resulted in Mars Drinks’ decision to remain and grow their global headquarters in East Goshen. We look forward to Mars Drinks continuing to be part of our community.”
About Mars Drinks
Mars Drinks creates great tasting moments at work by being at the center of workplace engagement, collaboration, productivity and well-being. Throughout North America, Europe and Asia, Mars Drinks supports businesses who want to provide great working environments for their people. Part of Mars, Incorporated, Mars Drinks focuses its energy and resources on the workplace, with the belief that people are the most important asset to any business. In 1973 Mars Drinks introduced KLIX® the first-ever fully automatic in-cup drinks vending machine that serves large manufacturing channels across Europe. In 1984 Mars Drinks pioneered the single serve hot drinks category, introducing FLAVIA®, the first system for making hot drinks using fresh ground coffee and leaf teas sealed in individual servings. Through its ALTERRA® Coffee Roasters coffees, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.® teas, and DOVE®/GALAXY® Hot Chocolate, Mars Drinks creates billions of great tasting moments at work! Find Mars Drinks online at www.marsdrinks.com.
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 72,000 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®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital 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™.
