Mars, Incorporated has announced it will invest A$200 million in its Australian manufacturing operations by the end of 2027, in a move the company says will expand capacity, strengthen innovation and advance sustainability across its local manufacturing network.
According to Mars, the investment builds on more than A$450 million spent over the past five years across six Australian manufacturing sites, aimed at improving quality, safety, productivity and environmental performance.
The company said the new funding will further support its renewable energy ambitions and reinforce domestic supply chains.
Mars Managing Director and General Manager Petcare Australia and New Zealand Melodie Nye said in a company statement that the investment underscores Mars’ long-term confidence in its Australian manufacturing base.
“We are proud of the role our Australian manufacturing sites play across our operations, and this investment strengthens that commitment for the long term,” Nye said in the Mars statement.
“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.”
Mars said a key element of the investment will be the expansion of its Wodonga pet food manufacturing facility, where a new A$112.5 million wet pouch production line is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2026.
According to Mars, the expansion is expected to create more than 60 jobs and introduce digitally enabled manufacturing capabilities, including AI-supported systems, to improve production efficiency and output.
The company described the Wodonga development as a significant milestone in its Australian operations, citing its role in advancing high-tech food manufacturing capability and supporting higher-skilled employment in regional Victoria.
Mars also noted that the investment comes as the company marks 110 years of manufacturing heritage in Australia.
The company said its origins in the market include early Wrigley manufacturing operations established in Melbourne in 1915, with Mars later acquiring the brand.
Mars said its first Australian pet nutrition factory was established in Wodonga in 1967 and remains one of the largest private employers in the region. Today, the company operates seven manufacturing sites across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, alongside corporate offices in Melbourne and Sydney.
Following Mars’ acquisition of Kellanova in December 2025, the company said the Kellogg’s cereal manufacturing facility in Botany, New South Wales, is now also part of its Australian footprint.
Mars said approximately 2,400 people are employed across its Australian operations and that around 90 per cent of products sold locally are manufactured in Australia.
Nye said in the Mars statement that the investment reflects the company’s broader commitment to local industry and regional development.
“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,” Nye said.
“When we invest locally, we create jobs, deepen capability and help regional economies thrive, delivering long-term value for people, pets and the planet.”
