Mars Petcare’s Fort Smith plant is a 2015 Arkansas Business Best Place to Work for many reasons, including the company’s “five principles.”
Plant Manager Russ Hayes said the company’s culture stems from the principles of quality, responsibility, mutuality, freedom and efficiency.
“Our privately held company is able to live our principles every day and make decisions which protect that culture versus shareholder-based decisions,” Hayes said. “One way we put our principles into action is through our MVP program where our Fort Smith associates engage in community activities that serve pets, protect the environment and help people. Our five principles guide all aspects of our business from how we make our products to how we treat our associates as well as how we give back to the community.”
The Mars Fort Smith facility manufactures popular pet care brands such as Cesar, Nutro, Sheba and Whiskas. In fact, 250,000 dogs a day are fed from pet food made at the Fort Smith plant, and all the tubs of food Mars produces a year in Fort Smith could stretch across the U.S. five times.
Mars also manufactures popular employee perks and benefits including a 401(k) program with a 6 percent match; generous pay rates and excellent health coverage; paid FMLA leave; and of course, a pet-friendly environment.
“We value our associates as valuable members of the company but more importantly as part of our Fort Smith family,” Hayes said.
Hayes said that formula separates Mars from other businesses in the pet-care field.
“Our programs and benefits are important as they create a sense of family and ownership that yield excellent business results and show our passion for pets,” he said. “We benefit through increased associate engagement which enhances our business performance and helps us retain associates. It enables us to stay competitive in the marketplace and grow a legacy of satisfied associates at our manufacturing plants and offices.”
Living our principles, offering leading benefits and opportunities for growth is a formula that makes us one of the best places to work.
— Russ Hayes, plant manager
Neat Things We Do
Mars-Fort Smith Associates have a real passion for pets, and it shows throughout the community.
Plant associates built a K-9 agility course for the local police department and provide food to all local K-9 units. In appreciation for their generosity, Mars workers were given the opportunity to name the newest dog on the Fort Smith K-9 unit and even participate in a ride-along.
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