More chocolate, jobs as Mars expands in UAE

Confectionary manufacturer Mars Incorporated is investing $60 million (Dh220m) to further expand Jebel Ali Free Zone factory, increasing the factory’s net assets to $160m (Dh587m).

The new line, which will produce Snickers, will increase the total site’s production capacity from 60,000 to 100,000 tonnes per year, and create more than 50 jobs to work on the line, adding to over 850 Mars associates currently employed across the GCC.

The launch forms part of a major expansion drive of Mars in the GCC region, complementing its new factory in Saudi Arabia that was inaugurated earlier this month at the King Abdullah City.

With chocolate sales in the Middle East and North Africa expected to reach $5.8 billion in 2016, the facilities will help the company to continue to meet the demand of the local UAE and Saudi markets, as well as 30 additional markets across the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian sub-continent to which this facility exports.

“This state-of-the-art production line is further proof of Mars’ commitment to the region since commencing its operations in Dubai in 1993,” said Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Shihi, Under Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy for Economic Affairs.

“Through 43 years of the Union, the UAE has witnessed impressive development within a short period of time. This has transformed Emirati cities into investor-friendly hubs for major corporations such as Mars,” he said.

“Jafza and Mars’ partnership is based on shared values and interests and Mars’ investment strategy in the region is driven by its long-term and sustainable commitment to the region as well as its employees, partners and customers,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Economic Zones World.

“Jafza is ready to provide Mars GCC all it requires to operate efficiently, and effectively. This is part of Jafza’s core values based on customer service and simplified procedures. We appreciate the future vision of the company, and will always be available as a facilitator to provide companies like Mars GCC with the perfect environment for doing business and achieving the company’s strategic goals,” he added.

“The openings of the new Mars Snickers bar line and the new KSA factory constitute new milestones in Mars’ continuous expansion and investment in the UAE, and the wider GCC. Since the beginning of our operations in this region over 40 years ago, we have constantly expanded our manufacturing facility and created jobs and superior products for the GCC market and beyond. Our decision to invest $140m (Dh514m) to expand our production facilities, which we are marking today, is the latest step in this process,” said Sami Darouni, President Mars Middle East, Turkey & Africa.
 

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