Mars Inc. strives to be a company that cuts greenhouse gas emissions to zero; sustainably sources ingredients; and doesn’t advertise candy and snacks to children.
That’s according to it’s Principles in Action, which the food company has recently posted to its updated global corporate website, Mars.com.
In the Principals, Mars outlines its history, its Principles-based approach to business, and its commitments to make a difference for people and the planet through performance. It also describes its businesses – including petcare, chocolate, Wrigley, food, drinks and symbioscience.
“What most people know about Mars is that we have a portfolio of brands that are loved by billions of consumers around the globe,” says Paul S. Michaels, president and ceo of Mars Inc. “What they might not know is that we are a diverse, privately-owned corporation with more than 65,000 Associates, and that we have built our business on Five Principles – quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency and freedom.”
He explains that the company’s approach will allow Mars to expand its communications to consumers.
“Very reasonably, people want to know that they are choosing to support brands and companies that live up to their responsibilities to their associates, consumers, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment,” Michaels says. “I am proud that delivering against these responsibilities is at the very heart of who we are, and has been for generations.”
Key targets outlined by Mars in these new communications include the company’s ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions from factories and offices to zero by 2040 – a strategy Mars, Inc. plans to achieve through absolute emission reductions, without the use of carbon offsets and regardless of business growth.
And in the area of Health & Nutrition, Mars outlines its global commitment to not advertise food, snack and confectionery products to children under 12 – a commitment made as a first in the industry in 2007. The updated Mars.com includes full details on the company’s Marketing Code, as well as its commitment to implement Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) nutrition labeling on the majority of its chocolate and confection products by the end of 2011.
The company also outlines the details of its sustainable sourcing policies across a range of essential raw materials – ranging from coffee and tea to rice, fish, cocoa and palm oil.
In fact, Mars proved its commitment to sustainability this week by forming a new agreement with Fairtrade International. The partnership will include a $1 million annual donation from Mars in Fairtrade Premiums to farmers’ co-operatives in West Africa.
The two organizations also plan to take advantage of their common interests and expertise to explore ways to improve the productivity, quality, labor and community development benefits they can bring to farmers - specifically Mars’ expertise in technical support to improve yield and Fairtrade’s expertise in building farmer organizations.
It also means some of Mars’ products, such as Maltesers, will carry the FAIRTRADE mark in the UK/Ireland in 2012.
“As a company, our objective is to create lasting, mutual benefits for all those involved in our business success by creating positive social impacts, minimizing our environmental impacts and creating economic value.” Michaels says. “This has been vital to our success over the last 100 years, and will allow us to endure in the long term.”
For more information on Fairtrade International, visit see www.fairtrade.net; for more information on Mars, visit www.mars.com.
In the Principals, Mars outlines its history, its Principles-based approach to business, and its commitments to make a difference for people and the planet through performance. It also describes its businesses – including petcare, chocolate, Wrigley, food, drinks and symbioscience.
“What most people know about Mars is that we have a portfolio of brands that are loved by billions of consumers around the globe,” says Paul S. Michaels, president and ceo of Mars Inc. “What they might not know is that we are a diverse, privately-owned corporation with more than 65,000 Associates, and that we have built our business on Five Principles – quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency and freedom.”
He explains that the company’s approach will allow Mars to expand its communications to consumers.
“Very reasonably, people want to know that they are choosing to support brands and companies that live up to their responsibilities to their associates, consumers, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment,” Michaels says. “I am proud that delivering against these responsibilities is at the very heart of who we are, and has been for generations.”
Key targets outlined by Mars in these new communications include the company’s ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions from factories and offices to zero by 2040 – a strategy Mars, Inc. plans to achieve through absolute emission reductions, without the use of carbon offsets and regardless of business growth.
And in the area of Health & Nutrition, Mars outlines its global commitment to not advertise food, snack and confectionery products to children under 12 – a commitment made as a first in the industry in 2007. The updated Mars.com includes full details on the company’s Marketing Code, as well as its commitment to implement Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) nutrition labeling on the majority of its chocolate and confection products by the end of 2011.
The company also outlines the details of its sustainable sourcing policies across a range of essential raw materials – ranging from coffee and tea to rice, fish, cocoa and palm oil.
In fact, Mars proved its commitment to sustainability this week by forming a new agreement with Fairtrade International. The partnership will include a $1 million annual donation from Mars in Fairtrade Premiums to farmers’ co-operatives in West Africa.
The two organizations also plan to take advantage of their common interests and expertise to explore ways to improve the productivity, quality, labor and community development benefits they can bring to farmers - specifically Mars’ expertise in technical support to improve yield and Fairtrade’s expertise in building farmer organizations.
It also means some of Mars’ products, such as Maltesers, will carry the FAIRTRADE mark in the UK/Ireland in 2012.
“As a company, our objective is to create lasting, mutual benefits for all those involved in our business success by creating positive social impacts, minimizing our environmental impacts and creating economic value.” Michaels says. “This has been vital to our success over the last 100 years, and will allow us to endure in the long term.”
For more information on Fairtrade International, visit see www.fairtrade.net; for more information on Mars, visit www.mars.com.
