CHICAGO (AP) -- Wm. Wrigley Jr. shareholders have approved the chewing-gum maker's sale to candy maker Mars -- creating the world's largest confection maker.
The voting results were announced Thursday at a shareholders meeting in Chicago.
Two-thirds of shareholders had to approve the $23 billion deal for it to go through.
The sale to privately-held Snickers and M&M maker Mars bumps Britain's Cadbury from the largest candy company spot.
Bill Wrigley Jr. is executive chairman and the fourth-generation family member to lead the business. He told shareholders the company respected its past as a family-run business but had to look forward.
He said the company will be able to grow in new ways under Mars' ownership.
Wrigley shares rose $79.71 in morning trading.
