Mars Canada completes $180m investment across four Ontario facilities, delivering capacity gains, energy reductions and modernised manufacturing operations.

Mars Canada completes $180m investment across four Ontario facilities, delivering capacity gains, energy reductions and modernised manufacturing operations.

Mars Canada has increased production capacity and reduced energy consumption across its four Ontario facilities following the completion of a $180 million (CAD) investment programme.

Spanning sites in Bolton, Newmarket and Guelph, the multi-year upgrade (2022–2026) focuses on packaging line transformation, manufacturing innovation and workplace modernisation across Mars’ snacking, pet nutrition and food divisions. The investment brings the company’s total spend in Canada to nearly $400 million since 2015.

The programme has delivered capacity gains, including a 50 percent increase in production at its pet nutrition site in Bolton and a 25 percent uplift in output at its Newmarket confectionery facility. It has also driven reductions in energy and resource use, including a 40 percent drop in electricity consumption on key production lines and double-digit cuts in water, thermal and electrical usage across multiple sites.

More than $100 million of the investment has been directed towards three major packing line transformations, aimed at improving line reliability, increasing throughput and enabling new product formats aligned with shifting consumer preferences.

Ellen Thompson, General Manager, Mars Snacking Canada, said: “Rooted in more than a century of Canadian history, this investment represents both the future of our industry and our unwavering commitment to the Canadian market and economy.

For generations, Mars has been proud to make, invest and grow in Canada. These upgrades reflect our continued focus on advancing innovation, sustainability and workplace modernisation, ensuring our business continues to thrive and contribute to Canada’s economic vitality for years to come.”

Site upgrades deliver capacity and efficiency gains

At site level, Mars Pet Nutrition’s Bolton facility has received the largest share of investment at $86 million, boosting TEMPTATIONS™ production capacity by 50 percent while reducing water use by 15 percent and gas and hydro consumption by 13 percent.

In Newmarket, a $40 million upgrade to packaging lines producing brands such as Mars® bars and MILKY WAY® has increased throughput by 25 percent, while cutting compressed air use by 75 percent and delivering annual energy savings of around 440,487 kWh.

Mars Food & Nutrition’s Bolton site has seen a $17 million investment to enhance production of Ben’s Original™, increasing capacity by 8 percent and reducing the site’s energy usage by 93 kilowatt hours per day. Meanwhile, Royal Canin’s Guelph facility has undergone a $39 million modernisation programme, increasing production capacity by 12 percent while reducing thermal energy use by 12 percent and electrical energy use by 11 percent.

The upgrades also include new safety systems and workplace improvements across all four sites, supporting operational excellence and environmental performance.

With 1,800 employees across its Ontario facilities, Mars Canada continues to invest in its manufacturing network to support long-term growth, improve efficiency and strengthen its contribution to Canadian manufacturing.

 

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