Forrest E. Mars, Jr., Businessman and Philanthropist, Passes Away at 84

PR65249

MCLEAN, Virginia, 28 July 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

With sadness, and on behalf of all Associates, Mars, Incorporated announced

that Forrest E. Mars, Jr. passed away at the age of 84 on July 26, 2016.  Mr

Mars was:

A businessman, who together with his brother John and sister Jacqueline,

inherited a significant business and grew it into one of the world's largest

and most respected family firms, increasing its sales from from $1 billion to

$35 billion, and providing 80 thousand jobs worldwide for Associates in 78

countries.

A passionate believer in the benefits of a global economy for everyone,

devoting much of his and his brothers working life to building Mars

internationally, expanding its presence first in Europe, Australia, Japan, and

then in countries like Russia, China, Mexico and Brazil and the Middle East.

A visionary, who codified, together with his brother and sister, the strong set

of business values about creating a mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders

of Mars, Incorporated, which they inherited from their father, into the Five

Principles that guide the business worldwide, a constitution for the company

that has made it a positive force in the world.

A leading philanthropist, locally and internationally, supporting environmental

preservation projects, like the American Prairie Reserve, and numerous projects

in support of American history, such as the Brinton Museum of Western and

American Indian Art in Big Horn, Wyoming, or the Mars Hall of American Business

at the American History Museum.

An explorer, who loved adventuring in his expedition ship in some of the

wildest places in the globe, including navigating the North West passage, while

also sponsoring and often joining an annual trip for students from Hotchkiss,

his old school, to Antarctica.

An intensely private family man, who leaves a wife, four children, eleven

grandchildren, two great grandchildren, numerous other extended family members,

and a legacy as a man who insisted repeatedly that everyone's work should be

fun and meaningful.

"Forrest was a great inspiration to all of us at Mars, Incorporated," said

Grant F. Reid, CEO and Office of the President for Mars, Incorporated. "He was

instrumental in building our business, while remaining committed to the

founding principles of the Company. Forrest will be sorely missed, but his

contributions and the legacy he leaves behind at Mars will be long-lasting."

All funeral arrangements are being handled privately.

Background

Forrest E. Mars, Jr. dedicated himself to building Mars, Incorporated as a

principles-led business that creates mutual benefits for all stakeholders.

Mr. Mars began his career in 1955 as a certified public accountant, working as

an auditor for Price Waterhouse after serving in the United States Army for two

years. He joined Mars, Incorporated - then, a business of less than $100

million in revenue - as a Financial Staff Officer for M&M's Candies in 1959.

Two years later, Mr. Mars was appointed General Manager of a new confectionery

factory to be built in Veghel, Netherlands, beginning a journey that would take

the winning portfolio of Mars products to new geographies, expanding Mars'

presence globally. Beginning with five Associates, he oversaw construction of

what is now one of the largest chocolate factories in the world. He managed the

factory until 1966, when he moved with his family to Neuilly-sur-Seine, outside

of Paris, to become Managing Director of Mars France.

During Mr. Mars' four-year tenure in Paris, the company expanded its pet food

business through the 1967 acquisition of Unisabi, creating a strong foundation

for future growth in France, which continued well into the 21st century with

the 2002 acquisition of Royal Canin. Today, across more than 20 sites in

France, Mars provides direct employment for thousands of Associates in Petcare,

Chocolate, Food, Drinks and Wrigley and touches the lives of thousands more in

its operating communities.

Mr. Mars moved to McLean, Va., in 1970 to assume responsibility for the

company's confectionery operations as Group Vice President. In McLean, Mr. Mars

worked alongside his brother, John, also a Group Vice President, who managed

the company's pet food, vending and money systems operations. Eventually, the

two brothers took joint responsibility for all company functions; and, in 1975,

they became co-presidents of Mars, Incorporated. At that time, the company's

net sales were just over $1 billion. Over the course of their leadership they

continued to expand - opening new markets, launching new brands and expanding

the extended family of Mars Associates.

In 1983, Mr. Mars and his siblings, John and Jacqueline, formalized and

published The Five Principles of Mars based on a business objective first

expressed by their father, Forrest E. Mars, Sr., in 1947: to create mutual

benefits that make a difference for people and the planet through the company's

performance. These Principles - Quality, Mutuality, Responsibility, Efficiency

and Freedom - continue to guide Mars, Incorporated - today a $35 billion

business with more than 80,000 Associates. The Five Principles unite Associates

across generations, geographies, languages and cultures and guide them in

relationships with consumers, customers, business partners, communities and

each other.

Following his retirement as an Associate in 1999, Mr. Mars continued to provide

guidance and counsel to Mars business leaders. He served as a member of the

Board of Directors until 2006, working on the Audit and Remuneration

Committees, and he remained active in the Mars Foundation.

Mr. Mars was involved in a number of philanthropic and educational causes,

including the Fay and Hotchkiss Schools, the Williamsburg Foundation and Yale

University. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Colonial Williamsburg

Foundation and was the recipient of their highest honor, the Churchill Bell, in

recognition for extraordinary civic leadership and national service. Mr. Mars

was Chairman of the Board of The Brinton Museum in Big Horn, Wyoming, and made

possible the museum's state-of the-art Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Building. In 1999,

Mr. Mars and his brother established and permanently endowed the Forrest E.

Mars, Sr. Visiting Professorship in Ethics, Politics and Economics at Yale

University to honor their father.

In 2006, Mr. Mars was made "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur," a distinction

presented to him on behalf of French President Jacques Chirac by Jean David

Levitte, Ambassador of France to the United States.

In 2011, Mars, Incorporated's commitment to the principle of Mutuality led Mr.

Mars to be awarded The Order of Friendship by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

for his "particularly important contribution into strengthening

Russian-American economic, trade and public connections." The Order is bestowed

upon Russian citizens and foreign nationals who contribute "exceptionally

fruitful activities in mutual enrichment of cultures of nations and

nationalities and in bringing them together, for strengthening the peace and

friendly relations between states."

Born in 1931 in Oak Park, Ill., to Forrest E. Mars, Sr. and his wife, Audrey,

Mr. Mars is an alumnus of the Hotchkiss and Fay schools, earned his Bachelor of

Science degreefrom Yale University in 1953, and his M.B.A. from the New York

University School of Business in 1958. He has served as a trustee on the boards

of American University, Hotchkiss School and Fay School, and participated on

the Yale Development Board. Mr. Mars is survived by his wife, four children,

eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and many other extended family

members.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned business with more than a century

of history and some of the best-loved brands in the world. Some of these iconic

brands include PEDIGREE(R), ROYAL CANIN(R), WHISKAS(R), IAMS(R), EUKANUBA(R), WHISTLE(R), BANFIELD(R) Pet Hospital, PET PARTNERS (R), CESAR(R), SHEBA(R), DREAMIES(R), WISDOM

PANEL(R), BLUEPEARL(R), GREENIES(R) and NUTRO(R); Chocolate - M&M'S(R), SNICKERS(R), DOVE(R), GALAXY(R), MARS(R), MILKY WAY(R), 3 MUSKETEERS(R) BOUNTY(R), MALTESERS (R), TWIX(R) and AMERICAN HERITAGE(R); Wrigley - DOUBLEMINT(R), EXTRA(R), ORBIT(R) and 5(TM) chewing gums, SKITTLES(R) and STARBURST(R) candies, and ALTOIDS(R) AND LIFESAVERS(R) mints. Food - UNCLE BEN'S(R), DOLMIO(R), EBLY(R), MASTERFOODS(R), SEEDS OF CHANGE(R) and ROYCO(R); Drinks - ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS(TM), THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY(TM), KLIX(R) and FLAVIA(R); Symbioscience - COCOAVIA(R).

Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars has more than $35 billion in sales from six

diverse business segments: Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and

Symbioscience. More than 80,000 Associates across 78 countries are united by

the company's Five Principles: Quality, Efficiency, Responsibility, Mutuality

and Freedom and strive every day to create relationships with stakeholders that

deliver growth we are proud of as a company.

For more information about Mars, Incorporated, please visit

http://www.mars.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Contacts: Kelly McGrail, Head of Corporate Communications, +1(312) 479-2864,

Kelly.mcgrail@effem.com

Source: Mars, Incorporated