BUS 497A CHAPTER 3: MARS, INC. Title: Mars, Inc.: Increasing Capacity for Competitive Advantage Topic Key: Value, Resources, Capabilities, Core Competencies, Sustainable Competitive Advantage To maintain its competitive advantage Mars, Inc. recently opened a new 500,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Topeka, Kansas. Built to increase its capacity for making its two top sellers – Peanut M&Ms and Snickers, the facility cranks out 6 million Snickers bars and 39 million individual Peanut M&Ms every day. As a private company, they are able to think more long-term than public companies that may be more concerned with short-term profits to appease shareholders. Do on line research, including news articles, press releases and the company web site, to investigate the topics covered in this chapter. Then, answer the questions below and turn them in through Canvas PRIOR to our class meeting. Discussion Questions 1. What are some of Mars Inc.’s competitive advantages? 2. What resources and resulting capabilities and core competencies do you see within the Mars Inc. organization that gives it strategic competitiveness? 3. What is an example of Mars Inc.’s quality control capabilities? ...