Mars Wrigley Australia has announced a $6.5 million investment in its Asquith facility in New South Wales, commissioning a new production line to increase manufacturing capacity and advance its packaging sustainability goals. The upgrade is expected to increase output at the gum and mints factory by more than 60 per cent, while significantly reducing plastic waste.
The investment supports the production of Extra gum sugar-free bottle flavours, including Spearmint, White Spearmint, Intense Mint, Peppermint, White Peppermint, White Bubblemint, and Strawberry. In addition to ramping up production, the new line integrates “circular-by-design packaging technology”, which Mars Wrigley says will “eliminate 13 tonnes of soft plastics annually and remove the need for approximately 2200 kilometres of soft-plastic wrap each year.”
“This investment provides significant additional capacity to deliver the products our customers love and enjoy,” said Daniel Firth, Plant Manager at Mars Wrigley Australia. “Our engineers and packaging technologist have been able to deploy new technology consistent with our goal of reducing the amount of plastic packaging we use.”
Located north of Sydney, the Asquith site has been operational since 1958 and today employs 190 people. It remains the sole production facility for all locally made Mars Wrigley gum and mints products sold in Australia, including brands such as Extra, Eclipse, PK, and Juicy Fruit.
“Mars Wrigley Australia has a longstanding manufacturing footprint,” the company noted, referencing its other sites in Bathurst and Wyong (NSW), Ballarat and Wodonga (VIC), and Wacol (QLD). The company’s manufacturing history in Australia dates back to 1915, when Wrigley opened a factory in Melbourne. Wrigley was acquired by Mars in 2009.
“The Asquith site is an incredibly important part of our business and Mars’ history in Australia,” said Michael Ryan, General Manager, Mars Wrigley Australia. “Australia has always played a vital role for Mars globally, and this is reflected in our rich history and our track record of continued investment.”
Ryan emphasised the enduring strength of the category: “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.”
