You have probably seen the Haribo Gold-Bears commercial on television with adults having voices of children. While sitting around a conference table in a boardroom, executives take turns talking about their favorite color and flavor. The 28-second commercial is aired so often because Haribo is preparing Americans for its company that is coming to America.
Most people might not know that Haribo Gummy Bears are not made in America. Instead, the fruity snacks are made in Germany. Haribo made the announcement on Thursday, March 23 that the first American factory will open in Wisconsin in 2020.
The 500,000 square foot facility will be the third-largest confectionery plant in the country and will create at least 400 jobs, according to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
Haribo is coming to America
Haribo is the world largest maker of Gold-Bears, which are fruit-flavored gummy bears. The company makes other products as well, but the gummy bears are the most popular. The timing is right for the 97-year-old German candy makers to start manufacturing the candy here in America.
Gummy bears first appeared in stores in the United States in the 1980s. Sales of the little candies picked up between 2011 and the early part of 2017 so rapidly that executives made the decision to build a factory in America.
They already operate 15 factories in ten European countries.
No competition
Haribo is aware that the United States is already dominated by candies like Mars and Hersheys. However, the company doesn't see a competition between the chocolate candies and its fruit-flavored snacks. Haribo is relying on the track record it already has.
Haribo started out with one man, Hans Riegel. He had only a sack of sugar, a marble slab, a stove, and a kettle. He made his first fruity snack that he called a dancing bear because of the way it shimmered. Today, the gummy bear industry is a global success.
It is interesting that the taste of the candies vary depending on the country in which they are sold.
That's because they are not always made with the same ingredients. Therefore, starting in 2020 the candies will still taste good, but don't be surprised if the taste is different from the ones you are used to eating.
