Albanese Candy Explained

Albanese Candy
Introduced:1983
Country:Indiana, United States of America
Producttype:gummies, chocolate

Albanese Candy is a candy manufacturer in Hobart, Indiana. Founded in 1983 by Scott Albanese, it specializes in the production of gummies and chocolate-covered goods. As of 2022, the company employs roughly 700 workers and ships to 41 countries.[1] [2] It is said to be the home of "the world's best gummies."[2] [3]

Founder

Scott Albanese, the founder, was born in Dolton, Illinois. He credits his success to a strong work ethic attributable to "his construction/bricklayer/restaurant/blue-collar upbringing".[2] He was inspired to open the business after buying raw materials of chocolates, candy, and nuts, and identifying a business opportunity. He says that opening a business in the 1980s seemed like poor timing, but that he saw an entrepreneurial opening and took it. He says that a commitment to consistent high quality and product integrity was integral to his success.[2] In 2018, the Indiana Small Business Development Center gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.[4]

History

In 1995, the Merrillville facility had 10–12 employees.[5]

In 1998, Albanese developed a new technology to allow more intense flavor release from gelatins.[6] The system coats the candy trays with corn starch, a process used by only three candy-makers in the United States.[7] More than of gummy bears are sold every day.[8] Albanese is particularly known for its gummy candy; the Hobart store sells gummy worms, butterflies, and green army soldiers amongst many other shapes and flavors.[9] In 2006, the company introduced multicolor gummy snakes.[10]

The Albanese company's soldier-shaped gummies were shipped to Iraq and distributed to deployed soldiers in 2003.[2] [11] This effort left the United States Air Force members feeling overlooked, and the company developed a product line featuring military jet aircraft molds: a B-2 Spirit, F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk, and SR-71 Blackbird.[12]

In late 2004, a factory measuring [13] and an outlet store were opened in Hobart, Indiana.[14] The Hobart factory formerly offered self-guided tours;[15] in the entrance hall, there was a chocolate fountain, the largest in the country. [2] [16]

In 2014, gummies graced a large scale stained glass window mural in Tokyo, Japan's Espace Luis Vuitton museum.[2] In 2014 the company also spent $16 million to expand its retail store to .[5]

In 2017 the company announced that they would be adding 150 employees at the Hobart location. Additionally, they decided to invest $33 million into that location. The city of Hobart gave the company a ten-year tax abatement. The company said they would have 550 employees at the Hobart location.[5]

In 2019 the company's Hobart location had a machinery fire.[17] In 2020 one of the workers at the Hobart factory had to be airlifted to a hospital after being injured in the factory.[18]

The company is continuously experimenting with products for key theme parks, Fannie May, and Marshall Fields, Scott said.[12]

Awards

External links

41.47°N -87.27°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Albanese serves up sweet success . Christin Nance Lazerus . 23 September 2017 . 13 November 2019 . Chicago Tribune.
  2. Web site: Times Business & Industry Hall of Fame: Scott Albanese enjoys sweet success . Deborah . Laverty . May 1, 2018 . The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. June 7, 2020.
  3. Web site: The World's Best Gummies are Made at Albanese Candy Factory . . December 20, 2010 . visitindiana . Video.
    Web site: Albanese Featured on Unwrapped . . Unwrapped. YouTube . November 8, 2010 . Video.
  4. News: Steele . Andrew . Region's top entrepreneurs honored . 8 June 2020 . NWI Times . 16 November 2018.
  5. News: Caffarina . Karen . Candy company announces $33M expansion in Hobart . 8 June 2020 . Chicago Tribune . 21 December 2017.
  6. Web site: About Albanese Confectionery . 13 November 2019 . albanesecandy.com.
    Web site: Indiana's Sweet Spot: Albanese Candy Factory . 29 October 2014 . 13 November 2019 . visitindiana.com.
  7. News: Franklin . Lu Ann . Sweet sensations: Candy manufacturer thrives with region confections . The Munster Times . November 9, 2008 . E1. Newspapers.com.
    News: Sweet Sensations, continued. The Munster Times . November 9, 2008 . E4. Newspapers.com.
  8. Web site: Albanese talks up a sweet business . Laverty . Deborah . 15 September 2016 . 13 November 2019 . The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com.
  9. News: Gummi bears put Hobart on the map for candy fans worldwide . The Munster Times . July 15, 2014 . A9. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Rodovich . Carrie . Snakes have Albanese candy on a higher plane . The Munster Times . November 26, 2006 . A8. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Candy Soldiers Called to Active Duty . The Munster Times . January 3, 2003 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    News: Soldiers, continued. The Munster Times. January 3, 2003 . 7. Newspapers.com.
  12. News: 21. 45 . November 17, 2005T . . Sweet Excursion to Albanese Candyland . Paula . McHugh . 1–5 . June 7, 2020.
  13. Web site: Albanese Confectionery: Northwest Indiana born and bred . 13 November 2019 . edayleaders.com.
  14. News: Laverty . Deborah . Candy land: Newly opened Hobart retail store offers 2,000 types of confectionaries . . November 27, 2004 . B1. Newspapers.com.
    News: Candy, continued. . November 27, 2004 . B2. Newspapers.com.
  15. News: Steinweg . Carrie . Staycation itinerary: You don't have to travel far for family fun . The Munster Times . March 4, 2016 . C1. Newspapers.com.
  16. News: 10 things to do for spring break . Chicago Tribune. March 25, 2016 . 4. Newspapers.com.
    Book: Indiana Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places. 98 . Phyllis . Thomas . Guilford, Connecticut. 978-0762786053 . June 19, 2012 . E-book . Globe Pequot. ; Book: Enjoy Indiana Travel Guide. 33 . 2010. Indiana Department of Commerce, Tourism Development Division.
  17. News: Ortiz . Anna . Albanese Candy Factory evacuated after machinery fire breaks out . 8 June 2020 . The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com . 11 September 2019.
  18. News: Ortiz . Anna . Albanese Candy Factory worker airlifted after suffering traumatic injury, firefighters say . 8 June 2020 . NWI Times . 17 March 2020.
  19. News: Ammeson . Jane . Sugar-coated innovation make for sweet times in Merrillville . 8 June 2020 . NWI Times . 12 July 2017.
  20. News: Albanese, Undercover Snacks win 2020 NEXTY Awards . 8 June 2020 . BNP Media. . 25 March 2020.
  21. Web site: Gummi Product Becomes A NEXTY Award Winner . Vending Market Watch . Endeavor Business Media, LLC. . 8 June 2020.

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