larence Crane isn’t a household name in Chattanooga. But the candy he invented -- Life Savers -- is known around the world, and soon another sub brand of the confection will be manufactured here, adding more than 40 new jobs and bolstering the community’s food and beverage industry. Suhhhwheet!
In 1912, Crane, a chocolate candymaker from Cleveland, Ohio, concocted a summer mint candy that could withstand heat better than chocolate. At the time most mints came from Europe and were square in shape.
Legend has it Crane was buying bottles of flavoring in a drug store one day when he noticed the druggist using a pillmaking machine. It was operated by hand and made round, flat pills. Crane applied the process to his mints and added a tiny hole in the middle.
The candy reminded Crane of the lifebuoys used for saving people who have fallen off of boats. He called his mints Life Savers.
The latest chapter of the history of this iconic brand will be written in Chattanooga next year as the Wrigley Company adds production of Life Savers Mints to the Life Savers Gummies already being produced here.
“By bringing Life Savers Mints to Chattanooga, we will nearly be doubling our factory’s production,” said Bruce VerBurg, factory director. “It’s an exciting time for the factory, and our entire team is pleased to be playing such an important role in the continued growth of our Wrigley North America business.”
Adding production of Life Savers mints will require installation of new equipment within the existing facility space of the Chattanooga Wrigley operation, as well as the addition of a third level to part of the facility.
“We are grateful that Wrigley has chosen to bring new jobs to Chattanooga and to make such a signifi cant investment in our community,” said Chamber President and CEO Tom Edd Wilson.
“The Chamber’s aggressive marketing and economic development efforts continue to pay off as great corporations like Wrigley invest in our city.”
Wrigley established its Chattanooga operation in June 2005 after acquiring Life Savers from Kraft Foods. Two months later the company announced a $23 million expansion for the production of its Altoid mints. The expansion added 150 new full-time positions and 60,000 square feet of space.
Wrigley’s $1.46 billion transaction with Kraft, which also included the purchase of Altoids and Crème Savers, might have astounded Clarence Crane.
In 1913 Crane sold the rights to his peppermint candy to Edward John Noble for $2,900. Instead of using cardboard rolls, which were not very successful, Noble created tin-foil wrappers to keep the mints fresh.
Noble founded the Life Savers Candy Company in 1913 and signifi cantly