Mars successfully completes acquisition of Wrigley

MCLEAN, Va. Mars Inc. Monday announced the completion of its acquition of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Mars has purchased all shares of Wrigley’s common stock as well as Class B common stock shares for $80 each in cash, a total of about $23 billion, the company said.

“We are excited to welcome Wrigley and its associates to our team,” Paul Michaels, president and chief executive officer of Mars, Inc. said in a press release “Mars and Wrigley share a culture of innovation, quality and integrity, as well as a focus on providing consumers with great-tasting products. The combination of our two strong international businesses, with best-in-class global brands, also creates one of the world’s leading confectionery companies.”

Mars, Inc. said that the Wrigley Company will remain a separate business keeping its headquarters in Chicago, but will operate as a subsidiary of Mars. Mars also plans to move its global non-chocolate confectionery brands to the Wrigley business, including such candies as Skittles, Starburst, Tunes and Rondo, as well as moving production from sites in Czech Republic, Mexico and other countries.