Mars Wrigley, the company behind M&M's, Snickers, and Skittles, has signaled it will lay off 307 workers as it relocates its headquarters from Newark, New Jersey, to an expanded facility in Chicago. The company submitted a WARN filing to the state of New Jersey indicating the job eliminations will occur by mid-October, marking the end of Mars Wrigley's presence in Newark.
This move follows a $100 million investment by the company to expand its footprint in Chicago, where its global headquarters is now situated. Mars Wrigley will continue to operate its manufacturing facility in Hackettstown, New Jersey, despite the corporate relocation.
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) described the departure as another warning sign for the state's business climate. "We need to wrap our arms around this and do something now that sends a message to our largest employers that things are going to change so we can stop this disturbing trend," said NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka.
New Jersey has seen significant job losses this year through WARN notices, with over 9,700 jobs impacted across various companies. This trend includes other high-profile corporate departures. In June, Samsung announced its relocation from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, to Texas. Additionally, ExxonMobil shareholders voted to change the energy giant's state of incorporation from New Jersey to Texas after 144 years.
Mars Incorporated acquired Chicago-based gum-maker Wrigley in 2008. The company has recently expanded its presence in the Chicago area, following its acquisition last year of Kellanova, a Chicago-headquartered maker of snack foods spun off from Kellogg.