Mars Wrigley is set to make a reported total of more than 300 job cuts from its Newark, New Jersey facilities, moving positions to a newly-expanded Chicago site later this year, reports Neill Barston.

The decision emerged in a regional WARN worker adjustment report, marking a notable strategic shift for the business, which has seen resilient performance within the US, despite challenges of tariffs, as well as supply chain pricing tests impacting American companies.

Notably, as reported locally, the 307 roles to be lost in Newark – which will see the city’s headquarters link to the brand cease in October. This is despite it being the founding location of its flagship M&Ms, with the popular candies originally created by Forrests Mars Senior in 1941.

Regional media noted that the company’s association with Newark had stretched back to 1940, with the original opening of the first M&Ms factory that would propel the company to greater heights.

The development comes amid a number of reported wider industry losses in the local area, according to Real Estate New Jersey, which noted that a number of key corporations and larger firms had vacated the area in favour of perceived less costly locations. 

Significantly, the move from Mars Wrigley cutting its Newark site, comes after just six years hosting its regional corporate headquarters there, with observers noting that it had been originally anticipated as long-term base for its financial management.

No further details have been released by the business surrounding the closure of the Newark production facilities, though it comes at a time of significant investment in the infrastructure of the business elsewhere.

As Confectionery Production recently reported, the major candy company confirmed earlier this year that it would be creating 600 jobs as a result of major enhancements to its core manufacturing base in Chicago.

According to the company, its Chicago site will see Mars snacking’s accelerator division and international functions join with its global headquarters in the ‘Windy City.’

Significantly, as the wider confectionery sector in the US comes under additional financial and operating pressures, additional consolidation moves within the broader industry have been forecast, as businesses move to rationalise their respective operation in the region.