1929
By 1929 the new Mars factory in Chicago was producing 20 million Milky Way bars a year.
“by 1929, which I think is the first year that the factory is up and running, they're producing 20 million Milky Way bars annually.”
Topic
Mars Incorporated
9 facts from 2 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1964
Forrest Mars gained full control of Mars Incorporated, his father's company, by mid-1964.
“And by mid-1964, he has full control of Mars Incorporated.”
1973
In 1973 Mars, including M&M's, passed Hershey to become the largest candy company in America.
“in 1973, the combined Mars, which is all of the legacy Mars Inc. products, Snickers, Milky Way, Three Musketeers, etc., plus M&Ms, passes all of Hershey to become the number one candy company in America.”
1990
In 1990 Mars averaged about $429,000 of revenue per employee, versus $228,000 at Hershey.
“in 1990, for example, Mars' revenue averaged $429,000 for employee compared to $228,000 at Hershey.”
2008
Berkshire Hathaway provided $6.5 billion of financing for Mars's 2008 acquisition of Wrigley, including debt at an 11.45% interest rate.
“they invest $6.5 billion to fund this deal of Mars, not Berkshire, buying Wrigley.”
2008
Mars bought the Wrigley Company for $23 billion in 2008, a 28% premium to its trading price.
“Mars buys the Wrigley Company for $23 billion. Which is a 28% premium to where it was trading that day.”
2020
Mars bought Kind bars for $5 billion in 2020, after first taking a small stake.
“$5 billion in 2020 after buying a small piece of it a few years earlier and then buying the rest of it in 2020.”
Undated
Mars reportedly set a target of 18% return on total assets for every division and factory.
“supposedly, Forrest had and Mars has or at least used to have a specific target of 18% return on total assets for every division and every factory”
Undated
Pet care accounts for 59% of Mars revenue and almost 100,000 of its 140,000 employees.
“59% of revenue comes from the pet care segment, and of their 140,000 employees, almost 100,000 work in pet care.”
Episodes