twix factory tour

M&M's and Twix are Made in Tennessee

It's no secret that M&M's and Twix bars are two of the world's most popular name brand snacks. But did you know both of them are made in Tennessee?

If you ever have the chance to drive through the small town of Cleveland, Tennessee, roll down the windows and take a sniff. You'll catch a sweet smell of chocolate in the air thanks to the Mars, Corporation's largest production facility. Take a deep breath, because you're inhaling the smell of about half the United States' supply of M&M's, and the entire supply of Twix bars being made.

It's been 75 years since the M&M was invented as a snack to give to our soldiers fighting in World War II, and the brand couldn't be more iconic today. There likely aren't many places on earth where people don't know what an M&M or a Twix bar is, and it's very likely the next time you grab one of the two for a snack, it was made in Tennessee.

"We make millions and millions of M&M's and Twix bars a day," said Damien Weaver with Mars, Corporation.

To make an M&M, Weaver explained it is a lengthy process. It takes 16 hours to make the chocolate center, coat it with the candy shell, then print the iconic "M" on the outside. The chocolate for the candies are made in-house by the company with a secret mix of ingredients. The same can be said for the candy shell. And the way the "M" is printed on the candy is also secret.

In fact, there are a lot of secrets about the unique process of how an M&M comes to life.

"The way we print that (M), and the way we put that candy shell over the chocolate is unique to M&M's around the world. And it's what makes us a surprisingly sophisticated product to make," Weaver explained.

Another secret is the color combination. If you've ever noticed that colors are not equally represented in a bag, you're right. Although the proportions are very specific, Weaver wasn't about to let on to what the numbers look like.

"I can't tell you the color blend," he said. "I can't tell you the exact ratio. I can't give that up. I can tell you that they're not all equal. Not every color is equal in the M&M's bag. The exact ratio is a closely held secret."

It's under the same 640,000 square foot roof of the M&M production lines that the the Twix bars are made from scratch daily. And just like the M&M, the specifications to making a Twix bar is a closely guarded secret as well.

"We make the product from scratch here, making the cookie as well as putting the chocolate on top of it. Every candy bar that goes down the line has special care put into it so it tastes right, feels right, and looks right when it gets to the consumer," Weaver explained.

But 'special care' is an understatement. There isn't a detail overlooked, thought out, or calculated to near perfection when it comes to making the bar. From the crunch of the cookie, the amount of caramel, even the ripple in the chocolate is calculated and planned.

"We don't want there to be too much chocolate on top, or not enough. So you definitely don't want to see any caramel or candy cookie underneath. You want enough chocolate to cover completely and have a nice decoration so it's pleasing to the customer when they open it," said Weaver.

So the next time your sweet tooth is calling for its fix, if you reach for the M&M's or Twix, you're helping put a local Tennessean to work.

M&M's recently unveiled its newest flavor that was voted on by the public. Voters picked "Coffee Nut" as the most desirable, and just like every other special flavored M&M, it will also be Made in Tennessee.

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Take a tour of the Mars Chocolate office, where life-size M&M's greet you at the door with free candy

Working for a candy company can be pretty sweet— especially if your employer is Mars.

According to  employees  at Mars Chocolate  — a segment of the $33 billion  Mars candy, pet care, and beverage company — the free Snickers and M&Ms aren't even the best part of their job.

"Mars Chocolate is a truly unique place to work," one associate told Business Insider during a recent visit to the  Hackettstown, New Jersey, office . "Everyone is passionate about the work they are doing — and the people are incredible.  We are one big family and that's not something you get everywhere."

Mars — which was ranked on Fortune's "100 Best Companies To Work For" list in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 — employs 72,000 people (who they call "associates") worldwide and over 25,000 in the US. About 16,000 of those global associates work for Mars Chocolate.

Here are some photos from our tour of the Mars Chocolate North America office in Hackettstown:

Four friendly M&Ms greet you at the main entrance of the building.

Of the 16,000 Mars Chocolate associates around the globe, about 1,200 of them are in Hackettstown.

Mars Chocolate produces 29 candy brands in total, including the billion-dollar global brands M&M's, Snickers, Dove, Milky Way, and Twix. The Mars Chocolate North America campus is also home to the M&M's factory, where 50% of all M&M's sold in the US are made. When you walk through the front doors of the office building, giant M&M's greet you with bins of complimentary candy.

The Hackettstown M&Ms factory opened in 1958. The Mars Chocolate office was added to the plant in 1979.

The M&M's brand was first launched in 1940. Today, the Hackettstown plant produces M&M's Milk Chocolate, M&M's Minis, and Peanut M&M's, as well as 21 different colors and custom print M&M's.

Not too surprisingly, snacks are free for associates. The office has multiple vending machines. To get a snack, you just select the item you want and it comes flying out — no cash required!

"Of course the free candy is a great perk," notes one associate. "But what makes this a truly wonderful place to work is the sense of family. Also, the culture is unlike anywhere else. People who work here often stay for a very long time — sometimes their entire career. And their kids will come work here. And then their grandkids. That says something about the company."

Between 10% to 15% of the associates who work at the Hackettstown campus are generational associates, meaning a family member preceded them at the plant or office.

During our tour, various associates commented on the "unmatched" culture, and reiterated the importance of Mars' five principals: quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom to span generations, geographies, languages, and cultures.

Mars offers a volunteer program called MVP (Mars Volunteer Program). Associates are encouraged to give back on a local, national, and/or global scale. In 2015, over 2,200 Mars Chocolate associates volunteered for more than 7,000 hours.

"It's also a very collaborative environment," says an associate. "We all work together in some capacity."

The open office is approximately 100,000 square feet.

"We're very open and transparent," says an associate. "Even our conference room walls are clear glass!" she jokes.

Each conference room is named and themed after a chocolate product.

Everywhere you go, you see candy!

The office also features a cafeteria, which offers employees gourmet meals.

"We take health and wellness seriously here," says an associate. "We think of chocolate as a treat ... something you indulge in occasionally."

The campus is 104 acres. "You'll regularly find employees taking a walk around campus to get some exercise," says an associate.

The M&M's factory, a 460,000-square-foot facility, is a short walk from the office. The sweet chocolate aroma seeps out of the factory and hits you as you exit the office building. We didn't mind it one bit.

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Monino aviation museum tour

The Central Airforce Museum in Monino, some 32km from Moscow is extremely popular among aircraft enthusiasts. Pre-soviet and Soviet planes, helicopters and jets are on display here. The tour price includes cost of transportation by car. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken back by car.

What to see in the museum:

ANT-2 - the first all-metal Russian aircraft

On ANT-25 several record-breaking flights were performed. Among them - a 60 hour non-stop flight from Moscow to Portland, Oregon in the United States.

The first ever supersonic passenger aircraft Tu-144

A unique, all-titanium reconnaissance jet-bomber the Sukhoi T-4

Tour duration : 5-6 hours Tour cost: 250 USD for 1-2 people, 280 USD for 3-5 people. Car/minivan service is included

This tour does not have a discounted price in winter

Additional expenses: museum entrance fee (150 RUB per person) 

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Moscow Free Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Hit the Red Square;
• Explore the nooks and crannies of Alexander Garden;
• Get a taste of the ancient Kitay Gorod;
• Learn about the tragic destiny of the Christ the Savior Cathedral;
• Roam through the heart of Moscow.

Walking Tour Itinerary:

Here are our TOP 7 things to help you start your Russian adventure or tick off before you say goodbye to Moscow.

Wander around the vast cobblestone square with rich past, gorgeous architecture, incredible GUM , bright colors of the Kremlin and swirling Saint Basil’s Cathedral .

Kitay Gorod

Walk across the Red Square to see the embankment of old Moscow river and plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Russian village where nobles preferred to settle in XV century.

Varvarka street

Walk up Varvarka street to find the landmark of Kitay Gorod - Palace of the Romanov Boyars, which was built in the XVI century and where lived the first Tsar from the Romanov dynasty.

Old English Court

Look at the Old English Court , which used to be the English Embassy in Moscow and where Ivan the Terrible confined the envoy from England, because Queen Elizabeth I refused to marry him.

Alexander Garden

Watch the solemn ceremony of the Changing of the guards , pay respect to the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , and the stone Grotto , The huge fountain in the centre adds a sophisticated feel to the almost 200 year old garden.

Christ the Savior Cathedral

Walk to the cathedral which is of a great cultural value to Russians. Its marvelous exterior, enormous golden domes, colossal bronze doors and pristine white walls will touch your feelings.

Patriarch’s Bridge

Pause on the bridge and marvel at the Kremlin, river cruises, monument after Peter the Great and Red October Chocolate Factory , which is now a nightlife hub for youngsters.

About Moscow:

We picked up a list of article that might be useful and helpful to you during your stay in Moscow. These are things to do in Moscow, tips about Moscow, best cafes in Moscow and simply fun facts about Moscow. Enjoy reading!

Before coming to Moscow:

• Our fun guides sharing their observations about their tours and best practices:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-private-guides-on-tours-in-moscow
• What you should know about Moscow:  
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/5-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-moscow

Off the beaten path of Moscow:

• Kitay Gorod:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-must-see-fun-facts-about-kitay-gorod
• Zamoskvorechye:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-must-see-fun-facts-about-zamoskvorechye
• White City:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-off-the-beaten-path-white-city  

The best parks in Moscow:

• Muzeon Statues Park:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-off-the-beaten-path-muzeon-park
• Gorky Park: 
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-gorky-park
• Tsaritsino Park: 
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-must-see-37-reasons-to-visit-tsaritsyno
• Kolomenskoe Park:
•   https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-in-moscow-kolomenskoe-museum-reserve

The most historical and beautiful streets of Moscow:

• Arbat  srreet: 
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-in-moscow-arbat-street
• Tverskaya street: 
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-things-to-do-tverskaya-street
• Downtown of Moscow: 
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-moscow-streets

What to do in Moscow:

• How to have a Real Russian Experience:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/real-russian-experience
• Things to do in Moscow:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/21-things-to-do-in-moscow
• Architectural masterpieces, hidden gems of Moscow:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-in-moscow-off-the-beaten-path
• Top Moscow attractions:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/top-10-moscow-attractions

Budget travel:

• How to have fun in Moscow for less than $4:
• How to save money in Moscow:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/7-ways-to-save-money-while-travelling-to-moscow

Cafes & restaurants in Moscow:

• Moscow cafes with Russian breakfast:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-cafes-with-russian-breakfast
• Best Moscow restaurants:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/best-moscow-restaurants
• Best coffee shops in Moscow:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-best-coffee-shops

Moscow Metro:

• Facts about Moscow Metro:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/fun-facts-about-moscow-metro
• Myths about Moscow Metro:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/7-myths-about-moscow-metro
• Facts about Moscow:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/fun-facts-50-facts-about-moscow
• Fun Facts about Kremlin:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/33-fun-facts-from-our-kremlin-tours
• The best flea markets in Moscow:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-best-flea-markets
• Top 5 Russian souvenirs:
• https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/top-5-russian-souvenirs

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Twix TV Spot, 'Twix Factory Merge'

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