Mumbai: Shareholders of Wm Wrigley Jr Co have approved the company's $23 billion sale to Mars Inc, a move that will end more than a century of family control as the chewing-gum company becomes part of what will now be the world's largest candy maker.

Wrigley, which makes chewing gums like Juicy Fruit and Big Red and privately held Mars, which makes brands like M&Ms, Snickers and Skittles, said both parties intend to complete the merger by 6 October 2008.

A merged entity will replace UK's Cadbury Plc as the world's top candy-making slot.

''We are pleased with the outcome of today's vote,'' said Bill Wrigley, Jr, executive chairman and chairman of the board. ''On behalf of the company's board of directors, we deeply appreciate the support of our stockholders and Wrigley associates around the world throughout this process. The Wrigley team is looking forward to completing the transaction and beginning the next, exciting chapter for the company and its brands,'' he said.

Under the terms of the agreement - announced way back on 28 April 2008 - Wrigley stockholders will receive $80 in cash for each share held. Wrigley will become a subsidiary of privately held Mars, adding a number of brands to its portfolio, including Starburst and Skittles and move base to Chicago.

The combination of Mars and Wrigley will create a dynamic $27-billion food company and the world's leading confectioner.

The Wm Wrigley Jr Company is a leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings, including gums, mints, hard and chewy candies, lollipops, and chocolate. The company has global sales of $5.4 billion and access to markets in over 180 countries.

Three of these brands - Wrigley's Spearmint, Juicy Fruit, and Altoids - have heritages stretching back over a century. Other well-loved brands include Doublemint, Life Savers, Big Red, Boomer, Pim Pom, Winterfresh, Extra, Freedent, Hubba Bubba, Orbit, Excel, Creme Savers, Eclipse, Airwaves, Solano, Sugus, PK, Cool Air and 5.

Closely held Mars produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food and petcare products and has growing beverage and health and nutrition businesses. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars operates in more than 66 countries and employs more than 48,000 associates worldwide. The company has annual global sales of $22 billion.

Founded in 1911, the company manufactures and markets a variety of products under many trademarks, including Dover, Milky Way, M&M's, Snickers, Mars, Uncle Ben's rice, Royal Canin and Pedigree and Whiskas pet care products.

The sale ends more than a hundred years of Wrigley's being family run, though Mars, founded in 1911, is still run by descendants of founder Frank Mars.

Wrigley was founded in 1891 by the current chairman's great-great-grandfather William Wrigley Jr and its first two brands were Juicy Fruit and Wrigley's Spearmint gums. The company was first publicly traded in 1923.