Leading gum manufacturer to build $63 million modern factory in Kenya

The Wrigley Company, a global leader in chewing gum and confections is on the verge to realizing its dream of mass production of factories to better serve the company’s growing business in Africa.

$63 million was broken on the ground for the construction of the new factory which is to be constructed on a 20 acre piece of land in Mavoko, Machakos County and expected to go into production in the first quarter of 2017, where it will replace an existing plant located in Nairobi’s Industrial Area. The investment is driven by the need to meet growing demand for the firm’s products in Africa, while improving on capacity and technology.

The Wrigley Company operates as a subsidiary of US-based Mars Incorporated, and some of its popular gum brands include Big G, PK, Double mint, Juicy fruit and Orbit. Kenya hosts The Wrigley Company’s only manufacturing plant in Africa, from which it serves a growing market that includes Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

“As we break ground today on this new world-class factory, we demonstrate our long-term commitment to driving sustainable growth here in East Africa, as well as in South Africa and in our newly launched business in West Africa.” Said Wrigley’s Global President, Martin Radvan.

“More broadly, this investment is an important early step in realizing the strategic commitment of Mars, incorporated to build a lasting business in Africa, which generates a mutuality of benefits for all.”

Also speaking at the event, Adan Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development, stressed the Government focus on boosting the manufacturing sector, diversifying the country’s exports and encouraging the creation of jobs.

The Governor of Machakos County H.E Dr. Alfred Mutua added that they endeavor to make Machakos the ultimate investment hub not only in Kenya but the rest of Africa. The move by Wrigley comes at a time when its main competitor in manufacturing confectioners, Cadbury Kenya, closed down its manufacturing plant in Nairobi late last year to start importing products from Egypt. The company had been in the country for six decades and its top brands are Trident chewing gum, cocoa, Cadbury Drinking Chocolate and Oreo biscuits.