In a world brimming with innovation and passion, Mars, Incorporated stands tall as a beacon for pet enthusiasts globally. Known for an enchanting array of products – from pet care to confectionery delights – Mars now raises the curtain to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its illustrious Mars Petcare Pak Chong factory. This grand facility is the proud architect behind beloved brands such as PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, IAMS®, CESAR®, SHEBA®, TEMPTATIONS™, NUTRO™, KAL KAN®, OPTIMUM™, and KITE KAT®. Nestled in the heart of Asia, this factory is the crown jewel in the Mars enterprise, having grown into the largest Mars facility on the continent.
Tracing its roots back to 1999, this Thai landmark began as Mars Petcare Thailand’s inaugural pet food manufacturing hub, swelling its ranks and its reach to satisfy pet lovers near and far. Fast forward to today, and you find a bustling hive of over 1,400 associates, with an outreach that shapes not only pet care but also the economic landscape of the community. With its tentacles reaching 36 countries, this factory plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Thailand’s pet food industry is a cornerstone of global exports.
Echoing the pride and perseverance that birthed this journey, Mr. Teeradej Kasisareewong, Interim Manufacturing Director of Mars Pet Nutrition in Southeast Asia, shares, “Back in the day, we blazed a trail in Thailand’s pet food landscape. Over these 25 amazing years, our technological strides and capabilities have skyrocketed, enabling us to delight pet parents with a delightful smorgasbord of products. From dry kibble to wet single-serve, to dental delights and a treasure trove of treats, we cater to the whims of both canine and feline gourmets.”
Throughout its 25-year saga, Mars has been relentless in its quest for excellence, investing significantly in expanding its production prowess. After its humble beginnings in 1999, milestones such as the introduction of a pouch facility in 2002, a treats facility in 2003, and an avant-garde positive treats facility in 2021 are testament to its visionary spirit. Today, boasting an impressive catalog of 65 distinct packaging formats, the Pak Chong facility is like a magician’s hat full of delightful surprises.
Mirroring its commitment to keeping both humans and their furry friends safe, the Pak Chong factory has bagged the Silver Prize in the Zero Accident Award from the Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. This accolade embellishes its pledge to sustain a vibrant and secure workplace. In parallel, Mars Petcare Thailand is a champion of sustainability, rolling out green initiatives to curtail its environmental footprint with aspirations to achieve zero waste to landfill and transition towards renewable energy horizons.
“This festive milestone is more than just a reflection of operational success; it’s the embodiment of our culture of quality, safety, innovation, and sustainability. As we revel in our 25-year voyage, we reaffirm our dedication to perpetual growth, development, and upholding the Mars Five Principles in every stride,” beams Mr. Teeradej with pride.
Among the applauding voices was Mr. Somkiat Wiriyakulnan, Deputy Governor of Nakorn Ratchasima Province, who graciously congratulated Mars. “For 25 years, the Pak Chong factory has been more than just a manufacturing behemoth; it has been a pillar of our community, sparking economic development through job creation. Mars’ steadfast dedication to our community fills us with gratitude,” he warmly acknowledged.
Adding his thoughts, Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the Thailand Board of Investment, represented at the occasion by Mr. Wirat Tatsaringkansakul, Deputy Secretary-General, noted, “Mars’ unwavering investment portrays Thailand as a robust enclave for high-quality manufacturing. The triumphs of the Pak Chong factory epitomize the potential awaiting global enterprises in Thailand, contributing to our economy and fortifying our standing in the pet food arena. We eagerly anticipate the continued synergy and future prosperity.”
Finally, a remark from Rohit Jindal, General Manager of Mars Pet Nutrition Southeast Asia, encapsulated the spirit of the celebration: “Our Mars Pet Parent Study unveils a touching truth: for one in three pet parents worldwide, their pet supersedes all else in their lives. Here at Mars Pet Nutrition, we are intertwined with over 400 million pet parents globally. This jubilee is not just about 25 years of excellence, but an ongoing commitment to our Purpose: A Better World for Pets.”
Wow, 25 years! That’s a long time for a factory! This really shows how much Mars cares about our pets. I bet they keep that place super clean and safe.
Yeah, but do they care as much about the workers there too? Safety awards are nice, but what about their working conditions and pay?
Hopefully their workers do get treated well. With that kind of global reach, they should set a good example!
In massive corporations like Mars, maximizing efficiency often means overlooking worker satisfaction despite any awards they receive.
It’s impressive how Mars has expanded over the years. But shouldn’t they focus more on eco-friendly practices? Profit doesn’t justify environmental harm!
They mentioned transitioning to zero waste-to-landfill. It’s a step in the right direction, don’t you think?
True, but they need to accelerate those efforts. 25 years is a lot of time to have made the change already.
I rely heavily on WHISKAS and IAMS for my cats. It’s reassuring to hear about their dedication to quality and safety. Kudos to Mars!
But isn’t mass-produced pet food linked to subpar nutrition? Maybe you should consider alternatives!
I’ve looked into it, but affordability and availability keep bringing me back to Mars products.
With Mars being a major economic factor in the region, you have to wonder what might happen if they ever moved operations to a cheaper location.
That’s a scary thought. A lot of jobs might be lost, which would be devastating for the community!
I doubt Mars will move. The economic impact they’ve had in Thailand seems like a strong reason to stay rooted.
Mars should support more local businesses and sustainable practices. Global monopolies just harm smaller companies!
While that’s true, Mars also generates employment. Isn’t some balance necessary?
I hope this milestone encourages local Thai innovation in pet care products. It’s great for local entrepreneurs to learn from Mars.
That would be ideal! Thai innovation could indeed thrive with such an example!
Companies like Mars shouldn’t just focus on profit. The community’s thriving too matters. Sustainability isn’t a marketing tool, it’s a necessity.
As long as Mars keeps working on its environmental impact, their manufacturing success doesn’t need to be at odds with sustainability.
Looking just at profits and milestones without addressing environmental concerns sets a bad precedent.
Whatever else you say, dogs practically dance for those TEMPTATIONS treats. Clearly, they’re doing something right!
It’s so crucial that Mars is recognized not just for business success, but for their community impact too. Job creation is a huge plus.
It’d be great to see more transparency in how Mars aids communities—impact reports or specifics would boost their credibility.
Mars courting investors and corporate praise with all this talk of expansion and synergy—classic corporate PR spin.
Why not just celebrate their hard work and commitment for a moment? 25 years in such a competitive space is worth recognizing.
Whatever they say about progress, it’s often slow and takes immense pressure to accelerate towards genuine green policies.
Yeah, hopefully, Mars will set an industry standard for better practices—not just words, but real action.
The last thing we need is the complacency big companies tend to develop once they’re ‘successful.’