Albanese Candy

Albanese Candy is a candy manufacturer in Merrillville, Indiana. Founded in 1983 by Scott Albanese, it specializes in the production of gummies and chocolate-covered goods. The company employs roughly 450 workers and ships to 41 countries.[1][2] It is said to be the home of "the world's best gummy bears."[2][3]

Albanese Candy
Albanese Candy logo
Product typegummies, chocolate
CountryUnited States
Introduced1983
Websitealbanesecandy.com

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][4][5] 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.[6]

History

In 1995, the Merrillville facility had 10–12 employees.[7]

In 1998, Albanese developed a new technology to allow more intense flavor release from gelatins.[8] The system coats the candy trays with corn starch, a process used by only three candy-makers in the United States.[9] More than 300,000 lb (140,000 kg) of gummy bears are sold every day.[10] Albanese is particularly known for its gummy candy; the Hobart store sells gummy worms, butterflies, and khaki-colored soldiers, as well as red-hot cinnamon gummy bears.[11] In 2006, the company introduced 27 in (690 mm) multicolor gummy snakes.[12]

The Albanese company's soldier-shaped gummies were shipped to Iraq and distributed to deployed soldiers in 2003.[2][13] 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.[14]

In late 2004, a factory measuring 350,000 sq ft (33,000 m2)[15] and an outlet store were opened in Hobart, Indiana.[16] The Hobart factory offers self-guided tours;[17] in the entrance hall, there is a 32 ft-tall (9.8 m) chocolate fountain, the largest in the country, which was custom crafted by a Hobart heating and cooling contractor.[2][18]

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 190,000 sq ft (18,000 m2).[7]

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.[7]

In 2019 the company's Hobart location had a machinery fire.[19] In 2020 one of the workers at the Hobart factory had to be airlifted to a hospital after being injured in the factory.[20]

The company is continuously experimenting with products for key theme parks, Fannie Mae, and Marshall Fields, Scott said.[14]

Awards
  • 2006 Professional Candy Buyer's Product of the Year award - technology award for developing a process that can put omega-3 fish oil in the gummies[21]
  • 2020 Next Awards: Albanese Confectionery’s Ultimate 8 Flavor Gummi Bears won the Consumer Choice Award for Food and Beverage.[4][5]
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References
  1. Christin Nance Lazerus (September 23, 2017). "Albanese serves up sweet success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  2. Laverty, Deborah (May 1, 2018). "Times Business & Industry Hall of Fame: Scott Albanese enjoys sweet success". The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  3. "The World's Best Gummies are Made at Albanese Candy Factory" (Video). visitindiana. December 20, 2010 – via YouTube.; "Albanese Featured on Unwrapped" (Video). Unwrapped. Food Network. November 8, 2010 – via YouTube.
  4. "Albanese, Undercover Snacks win 2020 NEXTY Awards". BNP Media. March 25, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  5. "Gummi Product Becomes A NEXTY Award Winner". Vending Market Watch. Endeavor Business Media, LLC. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  6. Steele, Andrew (November 16, 2018). "Region's top entrepreneurs honored". NWI Times. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. Caffarina, Karen (December 21, 2017). "Candy company announces $33M expansion in Hobart". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  8. "About Albanese Confectionery". albanesecandy.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.; "Indiana's Sweet Spot: Albanese Candy Factory". visitindiana.com. October 29, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  9. Franklin, Lu Ann (November 9, 2008). "Sweet sensations: Candy manufacturer thrives with region confections". The Munster Times. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com.; "Sweet Sensations, continued". The Munster Times. November 9, 2008. p. E4 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Laverty, Deborah (September 15, 2016). "Albanese talks up a sweet business". The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  11. "Gummi bears put Hobart on the map for candy fans worldwide". The Munster Times. July 15, 2014. p. A9 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Rodovich, Carrie (November 26, 2006). "Snakes have Albanese candy on a higher plane". The Munster Times. p. A8 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Candy Soldiers Called to Active Duty". The Munster Times. January 3, 2003. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.; "Soldiers, continued". The Munster Times. January 3, 2003. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. McHugh, Paula (November 17, 2005T). "Sweet Excursion to Albanese Candyland" (PDF). The Beacher. 21 (45). pp. 1–5. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  15. "Albanese Confectionery: Northwest Indiana born and bred". edayleaders.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. Laverty, Deborah (November 27, 2004). "Candy land: Newly opened Hobart retail store offers 2,000 types of confectionaries". The Munster Times. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.; "Candy, continued". The Munster Times. November 27, 2004. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. Steinweg, Carrie (March 4, 2016). "Staycation itinerary: You don't have to travel far for family fun". The Munster Times. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "10 things to do for spring break". Chicago Tribune. March 25, 2016. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.; Thomas, Phyllis (June 19, 2012). Indiana Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places (E-book). Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot. p. 98. ISBN 0762786051. ISBN 9780762786053.; Enjoy Indiana Travel Guide. Indiana Department of Commerce, Tourism Development Division. 2010. p. 33.
  19. Ortiz, Anna (September 11, 2019). "Albanese Candy Factory evacuated after machinery fire breaks out". The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  20. Ortiz, Anna (March 17, 2020). "Albanese Candy Factory worker airlifted after suffering traumatic injury, firefighters say". NWI Times. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  21. Ammeson, Jane (July 12, 2017). "Sugar-coated innovation make for sweet times in Merrillville". NWI Times. Retrieved June 8, 2020.

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