Smarties Gummi Candy will be available this spring in a 12-piece roll for a suggested retail price of $0.79 - $0.99 and will feature the tropical flavors of the brand’s hard candy counterpart.
The Ford Gum & Machine Company will produce the product under license from New Jersey-based brand owner Smarties Candy Company.
‘Very strong gummi category’
“We’ve had great success with manufacturing and marketing Smarties Licensed Bubble Gum, Smarties Squeeze Candy and several holiday SKUs,” David Plotnick, director of marketing at Ford Gum and Machine Co. told ConfectioneryNews.
“Ford Gum has chosen to expand our Smarties licensed confections with the exciting line extension in the very strong gummi category, where the Smarties brand also has a strong history.”
Last year, Ferrara Candy told us the gummies market in the US had grown $143m since 2013 with a 4.3% three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The Black Forrest and Trolli maker leads the US gummies market with a 20% volume share, it claims.
Ford Gum’s Plotnick said: “The category continues to grow exponentially throughout the US market and is perfectly positioned for a key recognizable kids’ brand.
“As an item targeted to young consumers, Ford Gum expects placement at numerous retailers, including Mass, Convenient, Dollar and Grocery,” he continued.
Partners since 2008
Ford Gum started to work with the Smarties brand in 2008, producing everyday bubble packs in several sizes and formats.
It has since produced products under license for Smarties such as Squeeze liquid candy and holiday bubble gum novelties.
Smarties Gummi Candy will be made in a factory in Brazil, which already produces an item for Ford Gum’s Big League Chew brand.
Illinois-based Ford Gum has its own products such as Big League Chew and Carousel gumball machines, but also produces gum for private label and bulk vending sales.
Smarties Candy Company is a family-owned business founded in 1949 with factories in Union, New Jersey and Newmarket, Ontario.