Mars plans to take control of Wrigley

CHICAGO — Mars is combining its chocolate business, which makes famous brands like Snickers, M&M’s and Twix, with its Wrigley candy subsidiary, headquartering the combined division in Chicago.

The combination was possible after Mars said Thursday it would take full control of Wrigley by acquiring the stake held by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire has owned a piece of Wrigley since the company was bought by Mars in 2008. The chocolate business has been based in Mount Olive, N.J., while Wrigley’s offices are in Chicago.

Wrigley has just under 300 employees at its Chicago headquarters and that number shouldn’t change much with the combination, said Denise Young, spokeswoman for Wrigley Americas.

Mars has about 1,700 employees in the Chicago area, working at four manufacturing plants and in some shared space at Wrigley’s headquarters. No decisions have yet been made on the “regional or market hub locations (or) the implications for our associates in those businesses,” Young said.

The total number of Mars and Wrigley employees isn’t expected to change significantly with the combination.

The units will remain separate for the time being, with a gradual phase-in expected next year. Martin Radvan, currently Wrigley’s global president and a 30-year company veteran, will lead the combined division.

McLean, Va.-based Mars, which is privately held, said the combination will allow it to speed its growth in the rapidly evolving candy market. The new division will be called Mars Wrigley Confectionery. Mars is already the country’s largest confectioner by sales.

Wrigley makes gum, mints and fruit-flavored candy under brands including Skittles, Starburst, Altoids, Lifesavers, Extra and Orbit. Beyond its candy business, Mars also makes food like Combos and Uncle Ben’s rice, as well as pet food brands including Sheba, Iams and Pedigree.