Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is a world-wide manufacturer of confectionery.They are an American corporation, most famous for its Milky Way, Mars bars, M&M's and Snickers (known in the United Kingdom as Marathon until 1990), as well as pet foods (such as the well-known Whiskas and Pedigree brands,) human foods (including Uncle Ben's) and non-confectionery snack foods (including Combos). Mars also makes vending machines for hot and cold drinks and sells electronic bill and coin acceptors and changers.
The company was founded in Tacoma, Washington in 1911, when Frank C. Mars started producing and selling candy. In 1923 he invented the Milky Way. The company grew quickly. The company also has a very large operation in Britain, based in Slough.
In 1963 a big factory was opened in Veghel, the Netherlands.
Mars, Incorporated is one of the largest privately-owned corporations in the United States. The company is almost entirely owned by the Mars family.
Many of Mars's products are famous-name brands, including:
- Celebrations
- Dove Bar
- Mars Bars
- M&Ms
- Milky Way
- Snickers (The top-selling candy bar in the United States)
- Three Musketeers
- Skittles
- Starburst
- Twix
- Opal Mints
- Spangles
The bar called the "Milky Way" in the US is sold as the 'Mars Bar' in the UK, where the name 'Milky Way' is used for what in the States is called the "3 Musketeers". The U.S. Mars bar (containing almonds) is not sold in the UK.
Mars, Ltd. was first to introduce the Starburst line, originally known as Opal Fruits.
