Sweet investment in chocolate factory

MARS Wrigley Australia will soon make a multi-million-dollar investment into its Ballarat production site.

Over the next two years, $32 million will be put towards expanding the site’s manufacturing capabilities and make way for production of new chocolate bars.

The money will also be spent upgrading equipment used to make M&M’s and Ballarat’s own Pods, first invented in the city in 2004.

A new packaging line for the Maltesers product will be established to increase production and export opportunities.

General manager of Mars Wrigley Australia, Andrew Leakey, said the investment was about future proofing the company’s Australian manufacturing operations.

“While the majority of our products are made in Australia today, our ambition is to make even more of our products here in the future,” he said.

“The new $30 million investment into our Ballarat factory will support our ambition by enhancing our on-shore manufacturing technologies and capabilities to ensure our Australian business remains globally competitive.

“As one of Australia’s largest manufacturers, we recognise that we have an important role to play in helping future proof not only our business, but also the food & beverage manufacturing industry.

“The new technological advancements at our Ballarat factory from this latest round investment will feed into our ongoing commitment to upskilling our associates and building a robust talent pipeline.”

The money, announced last week, follows a $37 million investment in the Ballarat factory by the company last year.

The site has the capacity to produce over five billion M&M’s annually and exports products to over 17 countries.