That's right, Mars will soon break ground on a global research and development hub adjacent to the company's existing Global Innovation Center on Goose Island in Chicago.
With this expanded capability, Chicago will become Mars Wrigley’s largest innovation hub in the world, adding to its network of global innovation centers. When complete, the innovation hub will allow the company to develop new products to support its global snacks and treats brands such as M&M'S, Snickers, Twix and more.
Crain’s Chicago Business reported Mars will spend $40 million on the new facility.
The investment will bring about 30 additional jobs to the Mars Wrigley Global Innovation Center, which will bring the Mars campus total to nearly 1,000 jobs on Goose Island. Construction aims to begin this summer and is slated to be complete by summer 2023.
Chicago will continue to play an important role for Mars and its history as it has done for nearly 100 years. The company's operations in the Chicagoland area include an ice cream facility in Burr Ridge, where Mars makes DOVE Bar, M&M'S Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich, and Snickers Ice Cream Bar; and Yorkville's treats production of Life Savers and Skittles. The company also produces a variety of filled bar chocolate, including Snickers, at its Chicago manufacturing site. At the Goose Island campus, Mars employs about 950 associates from Mars Wrigley, Mars Food, and Mars Global Services.
Earlier this year, Mars announced the future community donation of its Chicago manufacturing site. As part of the donation process, Mars is partnering with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago to engage the community, and local leaders, to identify opportunities for future use. Community engagement and conversations are underway and will continue over the next two years before the land is ready for donation sometime in 2024.
