Mars has partnered with DHL in a project that will see the construction of two new warehousing facilities in the UK, in an effort to reduce its logistics carbon footprint. The project represents a £350 million investment and Mars claims that it will deliver annual outbound logistics CO2 savings of 7.7%.

The new sites will be based in the Midlands and East London and will designed with sustainability in focus, with the buildings to be partially solar powered. They will have a combined square footage of over a million feet, increasing Mars’ warehousing capacity by over 50%. Mars UK says it transports over 1.2 million pallets of its products every year, and as a result of the £350 million sustainable logistics operation, the company claims it will remove a million miles a year from roads. 

Tim Walker, supply chain director at Mars UK, said: “Our partnership with DHL will deliver a world class logistics operation that is sustainable, smart and agile. This project is a meaningful step in our sustainability journey as we look to create the world we want tomorrow – which we know starts with how we do business today". Jim Hartshorne, managing director, retail & consumer & Ireland, DHL Supply Chain, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our global partnership with Mars in the construction and management of these sites. Our shared environmental commitments are supported by this investment and we are creating long term, exciting jobs in both of these communities”. The two depots, East Midlands Gateway and London Thames Gateway, will be operational in the spring of 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Mars Inc is a US multinational in the agri-food sector that produces confectionery (especially chocolate bars) and other kinds such as rice, sauces and pet food. Mars Ltd is the English branch of Mars Inc. The company is based in Slough, UK and handles the production of exclusive products for the domestic market. It was founded in 1932 by Forrest Mars Senior as the headquarters of Mars Europe.