US-based Mars eyes Gujarat for chocolate plant

Makers of Snickers have sought 40 acres of land at Sanand for setting up the unit

Now, a US-based chocolate major comes knocking the doors of Gujarat. Mars International India, one of the world's largest chocolate manufacturing companies with brands like Mars, Snickers, Galaxy, Twix, is exploring the possibilities of setting up its chocolate plant in Gujarat.

The company has filed an application with the Gujarat government seeking 40 acres of land at Sanand last week. This would be the company's first chocolate manufacturing plant in the country.

A senior government official confirmed the development and said that officials from the US-based company had indeed come and they have sought around 40 acres of land at Sanand for setting up a chocolate making plant. "They have filed an application on June 13, 2013 in this regard," the official added.

Mars International India currently imports chocolates into India. It sells popular brands like Snickers, Mars, Galaxy, Twix and Bounty in India. The company has recently introduced the Snickers Green Dot, the vegetarian version of the chocolate brand, targeted at the growing vegetarian population of the country.

An e-mailed query sent to the company remained unanswered.  However, according to another market source privy to the development, the company has visited two sites near Ahmedabad. "Some officials from Mars International India came twice in recent times to see different potential sites for a plant. They also met with the state government officials," the source stated.  

Interestingly, another chocolate maker Nestle, which sells brands like Kit-Kat and Bar One, is also setting up a plant at Sanand, but most likely for its Maggie range of products.

Mars International India has a pet food plant in Hyderabad, where it makes the Pedigree range of dog food. Industry insiders say that high import duties coupled with lack of cold chain infrastructure are the main reasons why the company is exploring opportunities to set up a manufacturing base in the country. This would make its chocolates more affordable.

Mars chocolates first came into being as Frank C Mars started making them in his kitchen in 1911 in Washington in US. The company had launched the Snickers brand in 1930.