FMCG New business South Africa

Sweet award for top five company

Mars Africa, the wholly owned division of Mars Inc a family owned business established in 1911 producing some of the world's leading confectionery, was named as one of the five best companies to work for in South Africa. This was according to the Deloitte Best Company to Work for Survey released yesterday, 29 September 2009.
Sweet award for top five company

Core areas of business surveyed by Deloitte included management style, communication, leadership, job satisfaction, values & culture, training & development and diversity & transformation. Mars Africa was classified as small with 50-300 employees, and was surveyed along with over 100 other businesses in South Africa.

“At Mars our five principles dictate the way we do business; quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency and freedom lay the foundation for how we make a difference to people and planet through our performance,” says Leisl Kruger personnel and organisation manager for Mars Africa.

Kept up to speed

“We are a multinational company, which offers a multicultural environment in which our employees are referred to as associates, since we view them as co-owners of the business. The company is diligent about recruiting and retaining best of breed through ongoing training and development. However, more than that, we offer recognition and reward to those who contribute to our high-performance culture and we create opportunities for career advancement.”

Brand manager for Whiskas and Perfect Fit Tebogo Motsepe offers, “Through our monthly communication sessions, we are kept up to speed on what is happening in the business and progress in achieving our objectives. Since we are always talking to each other, sharing ideas, creating solutions together, it really makes us feel like we are partners in this business. Regardless of external factors, Mars Africa has not compromised on quality of our products or services or the wellbeing of all our associates.”

Mars Africa is known for its leading brands in pet food, Pedigree and Whiskas, the world's number one and two chocolate brands M&M's and Snickers, as well as the household Royco food brand. It has been operating in Africa since 1996 and has offices in Pretoria and Cape Town.

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