Mars

The overview

Mars is a privately-owned company based in the US. The Mars bar, the company’s signature product in the UK, is perhaps its most recognisable brand – from the slogan ‘A Mars a day’ to the deep-fried versions found in chip shops around the country, Mars bars are something of an institution. However, the company and its UK subsidiaries produce and distribute a variety of products in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.

The company employs over 3,800 people in the UK alone, at sites across the country including Slough, Melton Mowbray, Birstall and Waltham.

Divisions, products and brands

Mars has a variety of business areas in the UK. Its most prominent UK business divisions and brands are:

• Chocolate: Mars bars, Snickers and M&M’s.
• Drinks: Flavia, Klix and Mars.
• Gum and confectionery: Wrigley’s Extra, Skittles and Starburst.
• Other food products: Uncle Ben’s, Dolmio and Seeds of Change.
• Pet products: Whiskas, Pedigree and Sheba.

Already a household name in the chocolate business, Mars signalled its intent to exploit growth areas like chewing gum with the acquisition of Wrigley & Co. in a $23bn deal in 2008.

A proving ground

Many Mars graduates have gone on to successful careers in FMCG, as well as the retail sector. The current head of Mars Chocolate UK, Fiona Dawson, joined the Mars graduate scheme following university. Other names who trained at Mars early in their careers include:

• Richard Baker, former CEO of Asda and Boots.
• David Cheesewright, current CEO and president of Wal-Mart Canada.
• Adam Crozier, former CEO of the FA, Royal Mail and ITV.
• Justin King, current CEO of Sainsbury’s.
• Allan Leighton, former CEO of Asda and non- executive chairman of Royal Mail.
• Helen Stevenson, former marketing director of Lloyds TSB and current chief marketing officer of Yell.
• Sara Weller, former managing director of Argos.

Rankings and awards

• 5 in the Forbes “America’s largest private companies of 2010” rankings.
• Whiskas Simply was awarded “Product of the Year” status in 2011 in the UK.
• London Expatriate Management and Mobility awards “Global mobility team of the year” in 2011.
• Knowledge Management UK’s “Best knowledge management initiative or implementation in a corporate enterprise 2011”.

Salary and benefits

Mars graduate salaries vary by programme:

• Management development programme: £31,000 per annum.
• Engineering: £29,000 per annum.
• European finance: £31,000 per annum.
• Procurement: £29,000 per annum.
• Research and development: £29,000 per annum.

Staff on these schemes may also be eligible for bonuses.

Perks

• Pension scheme.
• Holiday entitlement exchange.
• Flexible working.
• Onsite gym facilities (selected locations).

The company’s ‘winning with wellness’ scheme also has a range of benefits, designed to improve the health of its staff, reducing absenteeism and sickness:

• Assistance to quit smoking.
• Stress management assistance programme, including 24hr phone counselling for staff and family members.
• Weight loss competitions and programmes.

Culture and values

Mars has a variety of divisions in the UK and different offices and locations have clear differences – staff at Mars Petcare in Waltham are encouraged to bring their dogs to the office, for example.

Mars says its customers are the boss.

The company remains under the ownership of the Mars family, and many senior management positions are filled by Mars family members.

The ‘five principles’ of life at Mars as stated by the company are:

• Efficiency
• Freedom
• Mutuality
• Quality
• Responsibility

Mars and the fast moving consumer goods industry

The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry requires certain atittudes. In 2007, Mars announced that many of its chocolate bars would no longer be suitable for vegetarians. Following large numbers of objections, the company reversed its decision. Fiona Dawson, head of Mars Chocolate UK, stated that its consumers were the boss. Coping with adjustments and being able to change direction at short notice are crucial abilities at all FMCG companies if they are to serve their customers properly.