Mars Forges Sweet Deal with Wrigley

At the end of April, confectionery giant Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA, signed an agreement to purchase Chicago, IL-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company for $23 billion. As a result, Wrigley will now function as a separate, standalone subsidiary of Mars. With $5.4 billion in sales, Wrigley is a world leader in gum and confections. According to Mars, this merger will help build business by strengthening and diversifying its confectionery offerings, and enhancing its potential for growth in the chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery and gum categories. The combined organization will have a product portfolio containing some of the world’s most recognizable and well-loved confectionery brands, including Orbitz, Extra, Doublemint, M&M’s, Snickers and Mars, as well as leading food, beverage and pet care brands, totaling over $27 billion in global sales.