Mars Wrigley, the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate, chewing gum, mints, and fruity confections, is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing excellence in the Philippines. The company began its presence in the Philippines in 1965 and specializes in producing well-known chewing gum brands like Doublemint, Juicy Fruit, and Cool Air. Since 1999, the Philippine facility has grown into a regional manufacturing hub serving Southeast Asia markets. Today, the Antipolo facility produces up to 30 metric tons of chewing gum products daily, with 86% exported to countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Laos, and Brunei. The facility is also a major local employer, providing steady livelihoods for hundreds of Antipolo residents.
“We’re proud to call Antipolo City home to one of our most important manufacturing facilities in the region,” said Salazar Maquito, Factory Director, Mars Wrigley Antipolo, Philippines. “This milestone is not just a celebration of 60 years in history and tradition, but also looks forward to a bright future that continues to give back to the people and the planet.”
With the theme “Better Together,” the 60th anniversary celebration brings together associates, government stakeholders, media, and business partners at the Antipolo plant. The event includes a factory tour and site-walkabout, offering a closer look at Mars Wrigley’s chewing gum production operations and workplace practices. These highlight the company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity and progress towards its net zero ambition with its transition to renewable energy and its support for community development.
Kalpesh Parmar, General Manager of Mars Wrigley Asia, said, “Here at Mars, the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. While we may be measured by financial performance, we remain guided by our deep commitment to generating positive societal impact, establishing trusted partnerships with stakeholders, and investing in opportunities that enable us to grow for the next 100 years. Operating with this balance of purpose and values ensures we sustain and thrive with the communities we source, produce, and employ from.”
A cornerstone of Mars Wrigley Antipolo’s sustainability efforts is the gradual shift to 100% renewable thermal energy, achieved through installing the biomass boiler in 2024, which helps the plant progress towards its net-zero ambition by 2050.
The USD 1 million investment in the biomass boiler has already reduced the plant’s annual carbon emissions by approximately 679 tons. It allows the Antipolo factory to move away from using diesel as its source of thermal energy and transition to using rice husk as its renewable energy source.
The biomass boiler sources its fuel from rice husks (ipa) or coconut shells sourced and collected from the farmers of the nearby communities, which contributes to cleaner air in the environment and simultaneously enhances the livelihood of such farmers in the Antipolo community.
“In the world we want tomorrow, we need a healthy planet where people can thrive. We believe that by making our daily operations more sustainable, our customers and consumers can enjoy our products knowing they are made with the environment in mind. I’m proud of the team’s work to bring the biomass boiler initiative to life in Antipolo and the long-lasting positive impact that we’ll have on the planet for future generations,” added Salazar.
Mars Wrigley is investing USD 2 million over the next three years to continuously upgrade infrastructure, packaging, and machinery to meet customer demand and improve facilities that support associate well-being.
Mars Wrigley Philippines employs more than 170 employees, also called associates, many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years. Mars Wrigley sees long-term employment as an investment in people who grow with the company and the community.
In Antipolo, Mars Wrigley has been building an inclusive and diverse workforce by intentionally aiming to have a 50-to-50 ratio of male and female employees. This diversity is also reflected in its commitment to shape future leadership of the Antipolo factory, ensuring that women are well-represented in the management team.
Inclusive practices are not only applied to hiring opportunities, but also to the overall workplace environment. The factory provides a dedicated breastfeeding room for return-to-work moms and ensures they have the proper facilities for moms to feel comfortable at work. In contrast, the prayer and social rooms are provided for different religions and groups.
Apart from creating a conducive environment for back-to-work moms, Mars Wrigley empowers women to have a career-life balance by helping them plan their smooth transition from maternity leave to returning to work.
Mars Wrigley also champions inclusion with communities in Antipolo that help positively impact their lives. Its partnership with non-governmental organizations such as the world’s largest cleft charity, Smile Train, and local NGO, YULA Women’s Initiative, Inc., has been key to providing employment opportunities to these communities.
The chewing gum manufacturer spearheaded a training-to-employment program through the Experiential Learning Program that helps the underprivileged gain valuable skills that strengthen their credentials and employability. It is open to residents of Antipolo City and nearby municipalities in Rizal Province.
Mars Wrigley also has a long-established partnership with Save the Children Philippines spanning 15 years. The Mars Wrigley Foundation is one of the most significant financial contributors to Save the Children. It has recently approved a USD 100,000 grant to support a CHILL (Connecting, Helping, Informing, and Learning Lounges) community project in Antipolo to address young adults’ critical health needs and provide safe spaces for adolescents in the community.
As it looks to the future, Mars Wrigley remains committed to growing responsibly – powering progress through environmental performance, meaningful partnerships, and purpose-led action to uplift communities in the Philippines.
