By Eddah Waithaka
Mars Wrigley Kenya today unveiled a new sugar-free gum production line at its Athi River plant, a significant investment that builds on the more than $70 million the global confectioner has already poured into the country.
This move establishes Kenya as a crucial manufacturing hub for the company’s operations across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
The new line will produce the Orbit brand for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Extra brand for key Arabic-speaking markets, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the wider Gulf region.
The initiative strategically shifts production from the company’s long-standing POZ facility in Poland.
By localizing manufacturing, Mars Wrigley slashes lead times, reduces its dependence on European imports, and bolsters supply-chain resilience for fast-growing African and Middle Eastern markets.
Speaking at the launch, Ismael Bello, General Manager for Mars Wrigley in Sub-Saharan Africa, said the decision “signals our confidence in the country’s potential as a regional hub.”
He emphasized that the investment will boost the company’s ability to supply “high-quality, affordable products” while strengthening Kenya’s export performance and job creation.
The company, which already supports over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs in Kenya, plans to invest an additional $33 million over the next three years.
Plant Director Mustaffa Bin Kamaludin called the launch a “proud day for our entire team.” He stated that the new, state-of-the-art production line will enhance efficiency and elevate sustainability performance.
“But more importantly,” he added, “the line deepens our commitment to developing local talent and positioning Kenya as a center of excellence in confectionery manufacturing.”
This expansion forms a key part of Mars Wrigley’s broader strategy to localize manufacturing and reinforce regional supply networks, directly aligning with Kenya’s own ambitions to anchor more value-added production within its borders.
