Mars Wrigley Australia to boost Asquith factory capacity with new production line
Mars Wrigley Australia is installing a new production line at its Asquith factory to boost capacity by over 60%.
The announcement:
Mars Wrigley Australia today reinforced its commitment to Australian manufacturing with the commissioning of a new production line which will increase capacity at its Asquith (NSW) gum and mints factory by more than 60%.
The AU$6.5 million investment is big news for local consumers, with more of their favourite Extra gum bottle sugar-free flavours being made on Australian shores, including Spearmint, White Spearmint, Intense Mint, Peppermint, White Peppermint, White Bubblemint and Strawberry.
The multi-million-dollar investment also incorporates circular-by-design packing technology that will eliminate thirteen tonnes of soft plastics each year.
“This investment provides significant additional capacity to deliver the products our customers love and enjoy,” said Mars Wrigley Australia plant manager, Daniel Firth.
“In addition, our engineers and packaging technologist have been able to deploy new technology to remove around 2,200 kilometres of soft-plastic wrap per year, which is consistent with our goal of reducing the amount of plastic packaging we use.”
More than a century of manufacturing in Australia
Asquith forms a key part of Mars’ Australian manufacturing operations, which includes other New South Wales sites in Bathurst and Wyong, Victorian sites in Ballarat and Wodonga, and Wacol in Queensland.
The factory, located north of Sydney, employs 190 people and has operated continuously since 1958. The plant is solely responsible for manufacturing all locally made Mars Wrigley gum and mints products sold in Australia, including much loved iconic brands such as Extra, Eclipse, PK and Juicy Fruit.
Mars Wrigley has been manufacturing in Australia continuously since 1915, when the Wrigley company first established a factory in Melbourne.
Since 1958, the factory has produced Wrigley’s complete portfolio of Australian-made gum and mints brands. Wrigley was purchased by Mars in 2009.
“The Asquith site is an incredibly important part of our business and Mars’ history in Australia,” commented Mars Wrigley Australia general manager, Michael Ryan. “Australia has always played an incredibly important role for Mars globally, which is reflected in our rich history and track record of continued investment.”
“Our gum and mints business is an important part of our portfolio and one that consistently performs well,” added Ryan. “This investment signifies our continued belief in the growth potential of the category, and also our belief in local manufacturing and the economic health and prosperity of our communities.”
Source: Bastion Reputation
