Mars Wrigley Kenya has today unveiled a sugar-free gum production line at its Athi River facility, an investment that builds on the more than $70 million the confectioner has already deployed in the country.
The company, which already supports over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs, plans to invest an additional $33 million over the next three years. The expansion draws from Kenya’s growing importance as a manufacturing springboard for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
The facility will supply the Orbit brand of sugar-free gum to Sub-Saharan Africa and Extra to Arabic-speaking markets across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, the UAE and the wider Gulf.
The shift to local production marks a strategic break from the company’s long-standing reliance on its POZ facility in Poland, from where all sugar-free gum for the region has previously been sourced. Moving production to Athi River helps Mars Wrigley to cut lead times, reduce dependence on European imports and improve supply-chain resilience across fast-growing African and Middle Eastern markets.
Speaking at the launch Ismael Bello, General Manager for Mars Wrigley in Sub-Saharan Africa, said the decision to manufacture sugar-free gum in Kenya for the first time “signals our confidence in the country’s potential as a regional hub”. He added that the investment would boost the company’s ability to supply “high-quality, affordable products” while supporting Kenya’s export performance and job creation.
“Today is a proud day for our entire team” said Plant Director, Mr Mustaffa Bin Kamaludin “Our new sugar-free gum line integrates state-of-the-art technology that will help enhance efficiency and elevate our sustainability performance. But more importantly, the line deepens our commitment to developing local talent and positioning Kenya as a center of excellence in confectionery manufacturing.
The initiative forms part of the company’s wider plan to localise manufacturing and reinforce regional supply networks, a strategy that aligns with Kenya’s ambitions to anchor more value-added production in the country.
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