Iconic candymaker to lay off hundreds, move US headquarters out of New Jersey

• Mars Wrigley will eliminate 307 jobs at its Newark headquarters while maintaining its manufacturing facility in Hackettstown, New Jersey
• New Jersey has lost over 10,000 jobs through WARN notices this year, with recent departures including Samsung moving to Texas and ExxonMobil's prior relocation
• The consolidation follows Mars Inc.'s $100 million Chicago expansion and its 2024 acquisition of Chicago-based Kellanova, maker of Pringles and Cheez-It

Summary

Mars Wrigley, a division of Mars Incorporated, has filed a WARN notice indicating plans to lay off 307 workers and relocate its U.S. headquarters from Newark, New Jersey, to Chicago by mid-October. The move will end the company's corporate presence in Newark, though it will continue operating its manufacturing facility in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

Key Details:

• Layoffs: 307 positions eliminated at Newark headquarters
• Timeline: Job cuts expected by mid-October
• Investment: Mars Wrigley previously spent $100 million expanding its Chicago footprint, where its global headquarters is located
• Brand Portfolio: The company produces M&M's, Snickers, Milky Way, Twix, and Skittles

Market Context:

This departure represents the latest in a concerning trend for New Jersey's business climate. The state has lost over 10,000 jobs through WARN notices in 2024 alone. Other recent high-profile exits include Samsung's relocation from Englewood Cliffs to Texas in June and ExxonMobil's previous departure.

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) called the move "another warning sign" that the state must improve its business environment. NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka urged immediate action to reverse the "disturbing trend" of major employers leaving the state.

Strategic Rationale:

Mars' expanded Chicago presence follows its 2008 acquisition of Wrigley and last year's purchase of Kellanova (maker of Pringles and Cheez-It), both Chicago-headquartered companies, consolidating operations in a single location.