MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars, Incorporated has been ranked 25 in the 2012 World's Best Multinational Workplaces list, the world's first global workplace excellence ranking by Great Place to Work®. The list, announced yesterday at a ceremony and gala dinner at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco honored the top 25 global companies to work for in the world. 

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The business was given special recognition for its high percentage of women in executive and senior management positions where for the last 11 years, it has gradually increased the proportion of women in management roles by one percent each year to now 38 percent globally in 2012.

"At Mars, we want Associates to enjoy rewarding careers, have access to on-going development and learning, and opportunity to do their best every day. Mars Associates are united by Principles that translate across geographies, languages, cultures and generations and they put those Principles into action to make their work mean more every day," commented Paul S. Michaels, president, Mars, Incorporated.

In its assessment for the list, Mars, Incorporated was particularly recognized for its unique approach to business and strong Principles-led working culture.  Associates new to the business are embraced through the Essence of Mars course, which aims to provide the foundations for early success in their careers at Mars.  Training courses are available globally, in 22 languages and aim to support Associate development and understanding of how to apply Mars' Five Principles of Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom to their work and business decisions.

The company was credited by Great Places to Work in three key areas for its working environment and Associate culture:

- Mars, Incorporated's commitment to providing workplaces that are safe, healthy and positive places for all Associates so that they feel engaged and motivated.

- Providing a unique training and education program through the Mars University, with more than 40 percent of Associates receiving development teaching in 2011

- Celebrating Mars Associates' commitment to making a difference to people and the planet by putting Mars Principles into action through their work or community engagement. Mars, Incorporated's annual 'Make The Difference' Awards shines a light on these successes and as testament to the scale and inclusivity of the Awards in 2011, approximately 15,000 projects involving 48,000 Associates were nominated

To qualify for the list, Mars, Incorporated, alongside other qualifying companies were required to feature on at least five national Great Place to Work lists, have at least 5,000 Associates and have at least 40 percent of their workforce located outside the country in which their company is headquartered.  Fourteen of Mars, Incorporated's operations are featured on national Great Place to Work lists including: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Korea, Netherlands, Spain and being featured 18th on the 25 Best Multinational Workplaces in Europe list as well.

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the objective of creating a "mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders" – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 70,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints.  Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA™, WISDOM PANEL™ and SERAMIS®. 

For more information, please visit Website - http://www.masterfoods.com/.  Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars.

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated