Mars Inc.
About Mars Inc.
6885 Elm St., McLean, Va. 22101
www.mars.com
| 703-821-4900
| Founded: 1911
Industry: Manufacturing | Category: Top Private Companies
Mars is a private company owned by the grandchildren of founder Frank Mars. In the fall, it teamed with four snackmakers, including PepsiCo and Kraft Foods, and promised to put more healthful products in school vending machines. The pledge was part of a voluntary agreement brokered by former president Bill Clinton and the American Heart Association.
In February, Mars said it would stop advertising many of its most popular candies to children younger than 12. It also unveiled a new line of reduced-calorie snacks endorsed by former boxing champion Muhammad Ali. The products include Rumble, a line of fruit bars; Shuffle, a dry mix; and Jabs, a cracker snack.
In January, the company spent millions of dollars on a Super Bowl game-day ad for Snickers that featured two male auto mechanics inadvertently kissing and then pulling out their chest hair to prove their manhood. The ad, along with more violent versions on the Internet, drew criticism from gay rights groups. Mars quickly pulled the ad.
2006 Financial Data
Revenues: $18,000,000,000Total employees: 40,000 | Local employees: 50
Did You Know
Mars Inc. makes some of the world's most popular candies and confections, including M&Ms, Snickers and Dove Bars. It also makes food under the Uncle Ben's line, part of its MasterFood Services division. Its pet division sells Pedigree and Whiskas pet food. Mars also has a drinks group, which makes vending machines that dispense hot and cold beverages.
