Mars's £190M Bet on UK Factory's High-Tech Future

SLOUGH, UK – May 20, 2026 – Mars, Incorporated, the global confectionery and pet food giant, is injecting £190 million into its historic Slough chocolate factory, the birthplace of the iconic Mars Bar. The multi-year investment, part of a wider €1 billion European strategy, is set to transform the nearly century-old site into a next-generation manufacturing hub, blending its rich heritage with a future driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced data analytics.

The move signals a profound vote of confidence in the UK’s manufacturing sector and highlights a pivotal shift in how global consumer goods companies are future-proofing their operations. The Slough factory, which produces household names like MARS®, Galaxy®, and SNICKERS®, will see a comprehensive overhaul designed to boost efficiency, enhance sustainability, and solidify its role as a key exporter to European markets.

A Blueprint for the 'Smart Factory'

At the heart of the transformation is the integration of cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies. The investment will fund state-of-the-art machinery that combines robotics and AI to streamline production. A key component of this digital overhaul is the deployment of “digital twin” technology. This creates a virtual, real-time replica of the entire factory floor, allowing operators to simulate changes, predict maintenance needs, and optimize production flows without disrupting physical operations.

This AI-driven data analysis is expected to significantly enhance consistency in the production of millions of chocolate bars, drastically reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency. The plan also includes advanced cooling systems and upgraded, energy-efficient utilities, aligning the factory's modernization with Mars's broader sustainability goals. This technological leap reflects a wider trend in the food and beverage industry, where automation and data are becoming essential tools for maintaining quality, ensuring food safety, and meeting the complex demands of a global supply chain.

“This investment reflects our confidence in the UK as a hub to manufacture and innovate,” said Adam Grant, General Manager of Mars Snacking UKI. “In taking a long-term view, we are ensuring our operations remain world-class, competitive and fit for the future.”

A Vote of Confidence in British Manufacturing

The £190 million commitment is being hailed as a significant endorsement of the UK's post-Brexit industrial landscape. Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, Mars is reinforcing the Slough site's position as a critical node in its European network. In 2025 alone, the factory exported over 15 million kilograms of chocolate to Ireland and the Netherlands, demonstrating the interconnectedness of UK and EU markets for the company.

This substantial foreign direct investment has been welcomed by the UK government. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle commented, “This £190 million investment by Mars is a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a place to manufacture and innovate. For nearly a century, the Slough factory has produced some of the world's best-loved brands, and this investment shows global businesses continuing to back British skills, workers and industry.”

The investment aligns with the UK government’s broader strategy to bolster advanced manufacturing and address a national skills shortage. With tens of thousands of vacancies in the manufacturing sector, initiatives aimed at fostering technical expertise in engineering, AI, and digital skills are seen as crucial for national productivity. Mars's commitment provides a real-world example of this strategy in action, creating a tangible link between industrial policy and corporate investment.

Reskilling the Workforce for a Digital Future

Crucially, the investment is not solely focused on hardware. Mars has committed to an extensive workforce upskilling program to prepare its employees for the factory of the future. Rather than simply replacing jobs with automation, the strategy is to create new career pathways into advanced engineering, data-enabled manufacturing, and automation management.

This focus on human capital is vital. The transition to a smart factory requires a new breed of manufacturing professional—one who is as comfortable managing data streams and robotic systems as they are with the physical production line. By investing in its existing workforce, Mars aims to cultivate the specialized skills necessary for its high-tech operations, ensuring its long-serving “Associates” have the tools for the future of manufacturing.

“Our Slough factory is deeply rooted in our heritage, and as a proud family-owned business, we are committed to investing in a future that creates lasting, positive impact for the communities where we operate,” Grant added, emphasizing the company's commitment to its local workforce.

A Piece of a Global Puzzle

The Slough modernization is a key piece of Mars's broader global manufacturing strategy. The £190 million is part of a previously announced €1 billion investment across its European factories and a further $2 billion commitment to its US manufacturing footprint through 2026. This global push is designed to build a more modern, resilient, and innovative production network.

This strategy involves tailoring investments to regional strengths. While the UK factory becomes a hub for digital innovation, Mars is investing approximately €250 million in its Polish factory to increase capacity by over 60% through automation. In France, the focus has been on sustainability, with its ice cream factory becoming the first in the company to run entirely on renewable electricity. Meanwhile, annual investments in the Netherlands are strengthening its role as a key chocolate production hub.

This global overhaul is further bolstered by strategic acquisitions, such as the recent purchase of Kellanova, which unites two massive snacking portfolios under one roof. To support the growth and innovation promised by such deals, a highly efficient, technologically advanced, and sustainable manufacturing base is not just an advantage—it is a necessity. For the factory in Slough, which has made chocolate for nearly 100 years, this investment ensures its story will continue long into the twenty-first century.