Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for APAC Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate...
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Mars is investing AUD$200 million into Australian manufacturing by 2027, expanding production capacity, accelerating innovation, supporting renewable energy ambitions, and strengthening regional jobs, supply chains, and sustainable industry growth.
Mars, Incorporated has announced plans to invest AUD$200 million into its Australian manufacturing operations by the end of 2027, reinforcing its long-term commitment to local production, sustainability, and innovation.
The investment will support expanded manufacturing capacity, renewable energy ambitions, and continued operational improvements across the company’s Australian footprint. It also underlines Mars’ confidence in the future of Australian manufacturing and its role in supporting regional communities, local supply chains, and a more resilient low-carbon economy.
Since 2020, Mars has invested more than AUD$450 million across six Australian manufacturing sites to improve quality, safety, productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
Today, 90 percent of Mars products sold in Australia are manufactured locally, demonstrating the company’s deep integration within the national economy.
Managing Director and General Manager Petcare Australia and New Zealand, Melodie Nye, said the latest investment would help Mars continue meeting the evolving expectations of consumers and customers alike.
“We are proud of the role our Australian manufacturing sites play across our operations, and this investment strengthens that commitment for the long term. Our teams continue to lead the way in quality, innovation, and sustainability, and this next phase of investment ensures we can keep delivering the trusted products Australians rely on every day.”
Melodie Nye, Managing Director and General Manager Petcare Australia and New Zealand, Mars
EXPANDING CAPACITY IN WODONGA
A key milestone in the investment programme will arrive in June 2026, when Mars commissions the expansion of its pet food manufacturing facility in Wodonga.
The new AUD$112.5 million wet pouch facility is expected to create more than 60 jobs and will serve as a digitally enabled manufacturing hub designed to advance high-tech, AI-enabled food production capabilities in Australia.
The expansion represents a major step forward for Mars’ sovereign manufacturing capability, combining advanced automation, digital systems, and high-skill employment opportunities within one of regional Australia’s most significant production facilities.
Mars first established its pet nutrition factory in Wodonga in 1967, and the site remains one of the region’s largest private employers.
A 110-YEAR AUSTRALIAN LEGACY
The announcement also coincides with a significant milestone for Mars in Australia, as the company celebrates 110 years of local manufacturing heritage connected to brands that now form part of the Mars family.
That history dates back to 1915, when the first Wrigley chewing gum factory opened on Melbourne’s Elizabeth Street. The Wrigley brand would later become part of Mars, helping establish the company’s enduring presence in Australia’s consumer goods sector.
Today, Mars operates manufacturing facilities in Asquith, Bathurst, Wyong, Ballarat, Wacol, and Wodonga, alongside corporate offices in Melbourne and Sydney.
Following Mars’ acquisition of Kellanova in December 2025, the iconic Kellogg’s cereal factory in Botany also became part of the company’s Australian manufacturing footprint.
Across its seven factories and two corporate offices, Mars employs approximately 2,400 Associates throughout Australia.
DELIVERING LONG-TERM VALUE
As a private family-owned company, Mars has built generations of consumer loyalty through brands spanning confectionery, pet nutrition, and food products, including MILKY WAY®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN®, and MASTERFOODS™.
For Mars, the latest investment represents more than operational expansion – it is a statement of confidence in Australian industry and the communities that support it.
“This latest investment demonstrates the belief of Mars in the future of Australian manufacturing and the positive impact it has on the communities where we operate. When we invest locally, we create jobs, deepen capability, and help regional economies thrive, delivering long-term value for people, pets, and the planet.”
Melodie Nye, Managing Director and General Manager Petcare Australia and New Zealand, Mars
This article was produced by the editorial team at APAC Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.
APAC Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping industries across the Asia-Pacific region.
Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for APAC Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.
