Just Born facts for kids
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| Industry | Confectionery production |
| Founded | 1923 in New York City, New York, United States |
| Founder | Sam Born |
| Headquarters |
1300 Stefko Boulevard, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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United States
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Area served
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United States |
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Key people
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David Shaffer (Chairman & Co-CEO) Gardner Jett, Jr. (Co-CEO) |
| Products | Candies |
| Revenue | US$301 million (2021) |
| Owner | Shaffer family |
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Number of employees
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600 (2021) |
Just Born, Inc. is a candy company based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It's a family-owned business that makes and sells many popular candies. Some of their famous treats include Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike, and Peeps. They also make Teenee Beanee jelly beans and Zours. Their slogan is "a great candy isn't made ... it's Just Born." In 2013, Just Born was one of the top 10 largest candy companies in the United States.
History of Just Born
The Founder: Sam Born
Sam Born (1891–1959) came to the United States in December 1909. He was an immigrant from Russia. In 1916, Sam moved to San Francisco. There, he invented the Born Sucker Machine. This machine could put sticks into lollipops all by itself! Because of this cool invention, he was given the "key to the city" of San Francisco.
In 1917, Sam Born opened a small candy store in Brooklyn, New York. He made fresh candy every day. To show how fresh it was, he put a sign in his window that said Just Born. The company's first symbol was a baby resting in a candy scale. Sam Born also invented chocolate sprinkles, which are sometimes called "jimmies. He also created the hard coating on ice cream bars.
Starting the Company
In 1923, Sam Born started his own candy making company in New York City. His brothers-in-law, Irv and Jack Shaffer, joined him. They helped sell and market the candies. In 1932, the company moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They bought a large, four-story building that used to be a printing company.
New Ideas and Growth
Sam Born's son, Bob Born, joined the company in 1945. He later became the company's president for over 30 years. Bob Born helped create a machine that could make Peeps much faster. This invention helped Just Born become the biggest maker of marshmallow candies for holidays in America. Bob Born passed away in 2023 at 98 years old.
In 1953, Just Born bought the Rodda Candy Co. This company made jelly beans and also a special Easter candy called "martello," which we now know as Peeps. Just Born later found ways to make Peeps all year round, not just for Easter.
In 2003, Just Born bought the Goldenberg Candy Company. They kept the factory in Philadelphia. At first, Just Born changed the name of Goldenberg's Peanut Chews to be a Just Born product. But later, they put the Goldenberg name back on the candy.
