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][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 green army soldiers amongst many other shapes and flavors.[11] In 2006, the company introduced 27 in (690 mm) multicolor gummy snakes.[12]
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 formerly offered self-guided tours;[17] in the entrance hall, there was a 32 ft-tall (9.8 m) chocolate fountain, the largest in the country. [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 May, 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]