| To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Mars Food Plant in Greenville, Mississippi, elected officials and associates planted a Southern Magnolia tree at the factory in the "Magnolia State." From left: Michael Robbers, Mars Food Vice President of Supply; Greenville Mayor John H. Cox III; Paul Watson, Jr., President, Washington County Board of Supervisors; Sherry Day, Plant Director, Mars Food; State Representative John Hines; State Senator Derrick Simmons; Frank Mars, Mars, Incorporated Board member; and Brent Christensen, Executive Director, Mississippi Development Authority. (PRNewsFoto/Mars Food North America) |
GREENVILLE, Miss. (PRNewswire) — Mars Food North America, maker of UNCLE BEN'S® and SEEDS OF CHANGE® products, marked 35 years in Greenville, Miss., with an event on Friday, December 13 that was attended by Mississippi Development Authority Brent Christensen, Greenville Mayor John Cox, and other elected officials.
In recognition of Mars Food's community contributions over the last 35 years, numerous dignitaries offered remarks and presentations including Mayor Cox who presented a key to the city to Mars Food Greenville. Along with government officials, company representatives planted the Mississippi State Tree, a Southern Magnolia, at the factory site to mark the occasion in the "Magnolia State."
"I would like to congratulate Mars Food North America on its 35 years of successful operations in Greenville," said Gov. Phil Bryant. "With more than three decades of providing jobs in the Mississippi Delta, Mars Food has proved to be an outstanding corporate partner with the state of Mississippi and I wish them many more years of success in our state." In an official proclamation, Gov. Bryant also declared December 13 as "Mars Food North America Greenville Day."
"We have been a proud member of the community for 35 years and it is an honor to be recognized for our contributions," said Sherry Day, Mars Food Greenville Plant Director. The plant is celebrating its 35th year of operations in 2013 by completing a $42 million multi-year investment and plans are underway for expansion in the years ahead.
Mars opened its plant in Greenville in 1978 with 5 packaging lines and 1 processing line. Increasing market demand necessitated convenience lines to be added in 1987, a Ready to Heat area added in 2007, and a new milled rice area added 2011. Today, the plant sits on 110 acres of property, has 250,000 square feet of space, and has close to $140 million in fixed assets. More than 160 associates in Mississippi manufacture products under iconic brands such as UNCLE BEN'S®, SEEDS OF CHANGE®, and ABU SIOUF®, which is exported to Middle East.
"Thank you Greenville for being a great neighbor and community partner!" Sherry said.
About Mars Food:
Mars Food Global Headquarters is based in Brussels, Belgium, where it also oversees the Mars Drinks business. More than 2,000 Associates are employed at 10 manufacturing sites around the world. Mars Food North America is based in Rancho Dominguez, California and has 2 manufacturing sites – one in Greenville, Mississippi and one in Bolton, Ontario, Canada. Mars Food is dedicated to creating Better Food Today and A Better World Tomorrow. The company seeks to make everyday meals tastier, healthier and easier, and to serve more communities responsibly. Its 12 brands are UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, MASTERFOODS®, MIRACOLI®, SUZI WAN®, KAN TONG®, SEEDS OF CHANGE®, ROYCO®, EBLY®, ABU SIOUF®, RARIS® and PAMESELLO®.
