Mars is launching its 70-year-old M&M’s brand in India after opening its first chocolate factory in the city of Pune in October last year.
The US maker of the multi-coloured, button-shaped sweets, which also makes Twix and Snickers chocolate bars, has had a presence in India since 2004.
The company also has two confectionery sites trading under the firm’s Wrigley label in Baddi and Bangalore, and another plant in Hyderabad, which all have research and development facilities.
“So for us looking at how we develop products specific for India, how do we grow our global brands in the India footprint, that’s a very big focus for us and has been for a very long time,” Andrew Leakey, the general manager of Mars’ business in India, said in an interview on local business broadcaster CNBC-TV18. “Who knows in the future, as we grow we would certainly look at putting other technologies in.”
In May, Mars rolled out what it called “the biggest innovation ever” for its M&M’s brand by launching Caramel Chocolate Candies in the US.
The same month, the company said it would introduce 30 new confectionery products in North America including Skittles and Starburst Sweet Heat.
