Here’s what you need to know about the people working on your favorite mint gum
Among the many things people do often in their day-to-day life is chewing gum. Whenever they are walking from place to place or just sitting anywhere, some always have a piece of gum in their pocket to munch on, specifically mint-flavored gum. It helps keep their mouth from drying, gives them a boost of freshness, and, of course, adds a sense of coolness to their character.
For many Filipinos, among their favorite gum is Doublemint. That’s why when we were invited by Mars Wrigley (the company behind Doublemint) to visit its plantation, we didn’t pass on the chance to witness how its mint gum and other products are made. From safety protocols on the production floor to its diverse work culture, below are some of the things we discover as we tour its factory in Antipolo.
Mars Wrigley has been here in the Philippines since 1963
Doublemint gum is first introduced in the US during the 1910s. Soon enough, its popularity became global. Here in the Philippines, the company has been making and producing it since 1963 with its factory in Pasig City. in 1999, it moved to a bigger facility in Antipolo, where they also produce other beloved products such as Juicy Fruit and Cool Air. The site also started to produce gum for China in 2021.
Safety measures are strictly observed on the work floor
Our tour was led by factory director Fernando del Castillo. Prior to visiting the production floor, we were briefed about the safety measures they practice before entering the factory. This includes wearing proper safety gear, such as PPE, helmet, goggles, rubber shoes, face mask, and even a beard mask. Sanitation and proper hygiene are also key elements in making sure its products are good for public consumption.
One of the things Fernando highlighted was that jewelry, phones, and other devices are not allowed on the production floor during our tour. It is one of the standard operating procedures they have in the factory. Accidents may happen with a phone or camera getting broken while inside the factory or jewelry pieces being lost. Metal or glass could end up in its products, and if that happened, the company gets rid of the batch its team is working on instead of possibly putting customers at risk of consuming foreign objects from their products.
You can smell the mint everywhere
Once you enter the production floor, you get a potent scent of mint. It is really an experience. Smelling it while touring around the factory kind of wakes all of your senses.
Some of the team members are older than the factory
Mars Wrigley is a family business, and that spirit of family is alive in the factory. Instead of calling them staff or workers, the company calls its people as associates. According to Fernando, 30 percent of the company’s associates have been with them for more than 20 years. Like a badge of honor, associates have stars on their uniforms. Each star corresponds to a decade, and we saw many having three on their uniforms.
Diversity reigns supreme
Currently, the factory has more than 130 associates with a 50:50 male-to-female leadership ratio. In 2020, Mars Wrigley Antipolo started its new journey of becoming a purpose-led site by becoming a role model and showing how factories that put purpose at the core of their strategy can drive business performance in a meaningful manner.
Mars Wrigley has a variety of community partners such as Smile Train, Yula Women’s Initiative, Save the Children, CSWD Antipolo, and the Antipolo Science High School. With these partner communities and NGOs, the company is able to conduct training and set up projects to promote diversity and inclusion.
Inclusive practices are not only applied to hiring opportunities, but also to the overall workplace culture. The factory provides a dedicated breastfeeding room for return-to-work moms and ensures they have the right facilities to feel comfortable at work. Meanwhile, a prayer room is provided for different religions.
“Aside from making our customers smile, keeping our associates happy at work has been one of our main commitments. We want to create a work environment that they will truly enjoy and be proud of,” Fernando said. “We have a lot of hardworking and talented associates in the Philippines and they excel when they are in a healthy environment. We truly believe that when everyone has a voice and a platform, they will feel empowered to reach their full potential. That’s why we continue to provide equal opportunities to all of them regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, or religion.”
Click here to find out more about Mars Wrigley’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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