Mars Canada invests US$131M to fuel manufacturing, innovation across Ontario

CANADA – Mars Canada has completed a CA$180 million (US$130.9M) investment to strengthen manufacturing, drive innovation and modernize workplaces across its four Ontario‑based facilities.

The company, a unit of Mars, Incorporated, says the multi‑year program, carried out between 2022 and 2026, will expand production capacity, improve sustainability and support long‑term growth in Canadian manufacturing.

The investment is spread across Mars sites in Bolton, Newmarket, Guelph and a fourth Ontario location, covering Mars Snacking (Newmarket), Pet Nutrition (Bolton), Food & Nutrition (Bolton) and Royal Canin operations (Guelph).

More than CA$100M (US$73M) has been allocated to three major packaging‑line upgrades aimed at increasing output, improving reliability and enabling new product formats that align with evolving consumer preferences.

Mars Snacking received CA$40M (US$29M) in transformational packaging line upgrades, responsible for producing household favourites such as Mars® bars, 3 MUSKETEERS®, MILKY WAY® Standard and MILKY WAY® Midnight.

The upgrades delivered a 25% increase in overall production capacity, the ability to run the filled line, a 40% reduction in the filled bar line’s electricity usage, and a 75% reduction in the line’s compressed air consumption. Annual energy savings from the transformation are approximately 440,487 kilowatt hours per year.

The Mars Food & Nutrition site received CA$17M (US$12M) to enhance production lines for Ben’s Original™ and other brands in the Food & Nutrition portfolio, increasing capacity by 8% and reducing energy usage by 93 kilowatt hours per day.

This spring, the facility also marks its 25th anniversary in Bolton, celebrating a proud legacy of quality, innovation, and sustained growth.

The Pet Nutrition site received the largest single portion of the fund, CA$86M (US$63M), which boosted production capacity for the Temptations brand by 50% and reduced water consumption by 15%.

Meanwhile, the Royal Canin facility saw upgrades totalling CA$39M (US$28M), focusing on safety and quality standards, and strengthening manufacturing capabilities across the facility, resulting in a 12% increase in production capacity, a 12% reduction in the site’s thermal energy use, and an 11% reduction in electrical energy use.  

This manufacturing push arrives just months after Mars finalized its landmark US$36B acquisition of Kellanova in late 2025, a move that integrated global brands such as Pringles and Cheez-It into its portfolio.

Beyond production, the investment focuses on workplace modernization and environmental performance.

The company also highlights that its Ontario operations employ around 1,800 associates, and the capital program is designed to support skills development, job stability and safer working conditions.

With over 100 years of operations in Canada, Mars says this CA$180M (US$130.9M) program brings its total investment in Canadian activities to nearly CA$400M (US$291M) since 2015.

The move signals continued confidence in Ontario as a manufacturing hub and reinforces the company’s strategy to localize production, reduce carbon intensity and meet rising demand for both human‑food and pet‑care products in North America.

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