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Mars Inc. to acquire Nutro(Daily Press (Victorville, CA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) May 22--VICTORVILLE -- Pet food-maker Nutro Products has agreed to be acquired by Mars Inc., maker of M&Ms and Snickers bars as well as several pet food brands. The sale was initiated by New Jersey-based Mars, according to a letter to employees from Nutro CEO Dave Kravis. Nutro, based in the City of Industry, employs about 150 people at its Victorville plant near Hesperia and Nisqualli roads. The factory has been controversial as residents have complained about the smell of pet food cooking. Mars Inc. also has a presence at Foxborough, with Aspen Distribution serving as a packing facility for Mars candies. Kravis announced the impending sale to employees earlier in May and stated that he expected the deal to be final in the next few months. "We expect Mars to provide a great long-term, permanent home for us," he wrote. Nutro's senior management will continue to manage the business, he wrote, and "the plan is for Nutro employees to continue in the same job, at the same place, with the same manager." Kravis will report to Bob Gamgort, president of Mars North America, according to a letter from Gamgort to employees. Kravis will also serve on the Mars management team. Nutro's plant manager, Allen Arias, did not return a request for comment. Both companies are privately owned, and no dollar amounts for the deal were available. Copyright (c) 2007, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |