Mars producing Maltesers in Canada

Mars Canada opened an addition to its Newmarket, Ont. factory on Friday that will produce its iconic Maltesers brand for the first time in North America.

The confectionary giant invested $70 million in the 60,000 square-foot addition to its factory, which also produces its Mars, Milky Way and 3 Musketeers chocolate bars. Mars plans to introduce the 81-year-old Maltesers brand to the U.S. market this year.

Mars says the factory will be create up to 30 new full-time jobs and “significantly” increase its manufacturing capacity in Ontario in order to serve the growing North American market.

Jeremy Daveau, general manager of the company’s Wrigley Canada division, said in a release that the expansion comes at “an exciting time” for the company’s investment and growth in Canada. The Newmarket facility is expected to employ up to 150 people when operating at peak capacity.

Canada’s chocolate confectionary industry is expected to grow to 135,640 tonnes and $3.7 billion by 2021, according to Euromonitor international, though the research firm predicted the economic outlook, combined with demographic shifts and consumer behaviour, would lead to a growth slowdown over the next four years.

Mars has a total of 29 chocolate brands in its global portfolio, five of which – M&M’s, Snickers, Dove/Galaxy, Mars/Milky Way and Twix – are billion-dollar brands. Forrest Mars Sr., the son of Mars founder Frank C. Mars, created the Maltesers brand in 1936.