Mars looks to expand Tenn. plant

Facility used to make M&M’S could see $67 million expansion

An employee checks candy at the Mars plant in Cleveland, Tenn.

The popularity of Pretzel M&M’S bodes well for Mars’ Cleveland, Tenn. plant.

Mars Chocolate North America is working on a $67-million expansion of its facility in the city, which is currently used to produce M&M'S, 3 Musketeers and Twix.

The expansion would allow Mars to expand Pretzel M&M’S production at the site, which was introduced there in 2010. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the candy company plans to add 38 jobs as part of the growth plans.

Mars asked the city to exempt half of the property taxes that would result from the growth for a limited number of years, and the city agreed, according to the mayor’s office.

"Mars Chocolate North America is proud to be making ongoing investments at our Cleveland, Tenn., facility,” says Joe Burton, Cleveland plant director. “We are grateful for the support of our associates and partners in the City, Bradley County and the state of Tennessee. We are excited to be able to reinvest in this community, grow our associate base in Cleveland and continue to make high quality chocolate and snack products in eastern Tennessee that consumers around the country love.”

A timeline for the project was not available.

Mars first introduced Pretzel M&M'S in early 2010 and the candy, which featured pretzel centers inside the M&M’S, was a hit with consumers.(See Candy Industry, September 2010 for a detailed writeup about the product and the Cleveland, Tenn. facility) It was even named 2011 Product of the Year in the candy and snacks category by Product of the Year USA.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.