Mars Wrigley, founded on April 1, 1891, in Chicago by Philip Knight Wrigley, is renowned for its chocolate division and confectionery brands, including Mars, Twix, and M&M’s.
The company operates additional divisions, including pet care, Wrigley, food, and beverages.
Mars Wrigley opened its first factory in Kenya in 1972, which remains the multinational’s only manufacturing plant in Africa, serving markets in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
By 2020, the plant had moved to a modern facility in Athi River following a major investment.
Mars Wrigley: The Company Behind Kenya’s Famous P.K Chewing Gum
Philip Knight Wrigley originally sold baking soda and switched businesses after realizing that the chewing gum he gave away was much more popular.
In 1991, William “Beau” Wrigley Jr., an heir to the Wrigley chewing gum fortune, took over the business his great-grandfather started in 1891.
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The new CEO, Wrigley Jr, then expanded the company in 2005 by purchasing Altoids and Life Savers from Kraft Foods for $1.46 billion.
Today, the factory produces P.K. and Big G chewing gums- among other confectionery brands.
In November 2025, a dedicated sugar-free gum production line was added, making Kenya Mars Wrigley’s only sugar-free gum export hub in Africa.
What Does P.K Stand For
P.K chewing gum was introduced by Wrigley in 1929, introducing a revolutionary pellet form and a unique sweet flavor.
There are two theories explaining the meaning of the abbreviation P.K. on the packaging of the popular chewing gum.
First, it is believed that the name came from a slogan created by packaging regulators: “Packed tight, kept right.”
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On the other hand, it is believed that the initials came about because the chewing gum was named in honor of Philip Knight Wrigley, who served as the CEO of the confectionery company from 1925 until 1961.
Philip was commonly referred to as P.K. by his friends. Around the same time, the chewing gum got its now infamous name.
