Mars Incorporated, the family-owned business behind brands including M&MS, Ben’s Original, EXTRA, Pringles, Cheez-It, SNICKERS, PEDIGREE and WHISKAS, today (May 15) unveiled a major £190 million investment that transforms its historic Slough factory into a next-generation manufacturing hub.
Of the £190 million total since 2023, £32 million is forward looking and planned for 2027-2028. This builds on more than £118 million in UK capital investment across its Snacking, Food and Petcare businesses in 2024–25 alone, reinforcing the UK’s strategic importance to the company.
Established in 1932 by Forrest Mars, the Slough factory is the birthplace of the iconic Mars Bar and is now home to several of the company’s flagship confectionary brands including GALAXY, MALTESERS and the MARS bar.
Alongside meeting UK demand, the site produces chocolates for distribution in Ireland and the Netherlands. The site remains a major local employer, employing more than 1,850 people, supporting multiple generations of families and playing a central role in the local community.
The investment is introducing state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, combining robotics and AI with upgraded machinery, as well as advanced cooling systems and energy-efficient utilities to improve performance and sustainability across the site.
Adam Grant, General Manager Mars Snacking UKI, said: “This investment reflects our confidence in the UK as a hub to manufacture and innovate. In taking a long-term view, we are ensuring our operations remain world-class, competitive and fit for the future.
Our Slough factory is deeply rooted in our heritage, and as a proud family-owned business, we are committed to investing in a future that creates lasting, positive impact for the communities in which we operate.”
Furthermore, leveraging best-in-class engineering and intelligent technologies, Mars will deploy digital twin technology to the Slough factory, using AI-driven data to optimise production.
The technology will enable precise process control, consistency and uniformity across product lines - helping deliver the “perfect” Mars Bar each time – while enabling real-time decision-making on the factory floor and reducing waste.
Alongside physical upgrades, the investment will support extensive workforce upskilling, creating new progression routes into advanced engineering, automation, data and AI-enabled manufacturing roles, and ensuring Associates have the skills needed for the future of manufacturing and engineering.
Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “This £190 million investment by Mars is a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a place to manufacture and innovate. For nearly a century, the Slough factory has produced some of the world’s best‑loved brands, and this investment shows global businesses continuing to back British skills, workers and industry.”
Mars also plays a central role in the local community, with volunteering programmes focused on litter clean-up, supporting food banks and the Britwell Youth and Community Project.
Mars Associates have also been engaging with hundreds of students in local schools, promoting apprenticeships and providing mentoring and support. Supported by VisionPath, this work is driving uptake of apprenticeships and has been significantly improving the diversity of our apprentices, with 77 per cent now coming from ethnically diverse or low socio-economic backgrounds.
Tan Dhesi MP, added: “Mars has been part of our community in Slough for almost a century and remains one of our major local employers. It also plays an important role beyond the factory gates - supporting community organisations, volunteering, and helping young people into apprenticeships.
This £195 million investment is a clear vote of confidence in our local economy and workforce. I welcome the long-term commitment Mars continues to show to our community.”