Chocolate manufacturer Mars International India is all set to invest Rs 1,005 crore (over $160 million) to set up its manufacturing plant in Pune. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based Mars Inc., today signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra to set up a Greenfield project in Khed at Pune.
The manufacturing plant will be the first from Mars International India in the country, which was so far importing its products Snicker and Galaxy. Mars has been selling its product in India for last four years.
The company said that the investment will generate 200 direct employment opportunity and indirect employment of over 1000 people.
Ehab Abou-Oaf, Regional President, Mars Chocolate, Asia Pacific, said, “India is a high priority market for Mars. India is one of the most rapidly emerging chocolate markets in the world and we hope to capitalise on that through this manufacturing plant. We are excited to have invested in a highly potential market like India which is poised for further growth.”
The Pune plant will produce Mar’s international product brands Snicker and Galaxy and cater to the growing chocolate demand across the country.
“This initiative reiterates our continued commitment to India. Chocolate industry in India is growing at nearly 20 per cent every year and we see this as a huge opportunity to expand our chocolate portfolio in the country in the coming years. Our Pune plant is planned to be completely eco-friendly and a Leed Gold certified facility. This will boost our production capacity and efficiently support the growing demand for Mars chocolates in India,” said M V Natarajan, GM, Mars International India.
In India Mars operates in two categories—a pet care manufacturing and marketing business, and a chocolate importation and marketing operation. Mars India chocolate portfolio include products like Snicker, Galaxy, Mars, Bounty and Twix.
