Article: How Wrigley Makes Gum
How Wrigley Makes Gum
by: Dr. Janet Starr Hull, Ph.D., CN
http://www.sweetpoison.com/newsletter/
In making chewing gum, the Wrigley Company strives for three
characteristics:
1. a smooth, even chew
2. a delicious, long-lasting flavor
3. dependable, uniform quality
STEP ONE: QUALITY ASSURANCE
All ingredients and wrapping materials are inspected when they
arrive at the factories. Before any shipment is accepted, samples
are taken and tested in modern quality assurance laboratories.
STEP TWO: GRINDING
Manufacturing takes place in spotless air-conditioned rooms and
is closely monitored to meet the company's high standards of
quality. The process begins with the grinding of base materials.
STEP THREE: FILTERING
Next, the base is melted and purified through high-speed centrifuges
and filter machines.
Then, still hot, the base goes to the mixers, each of which can
hold
up to one ton of ingredients.
STEP FOUR: MIXING
After the gum base is poured into the mixer, sweeteners and flavors
are added at just the right moment and in just the right amounts.
These ingredients are then mixed slowly for the exact amount of
time required by the formula. At this point, the gum looks like
stiff
bread dough.
STEP FIVE: ROLLING
From the mixers, the gum is sent through a series of rollers that
form it into a thin, wide ribbon. Each pair of rollers is set
closer
together than the previous pair, gradually reducing the thickness
of the gum. A light coating of finely powdered sugar or chemical
sugar substitute is added to keep the gum from sticking and to
enhance the flavor.
STEP SIX: SCORING
The continuous ribbon of gum is then scored in a pattern of single
sticks.
STEP SEVEN: CONDITIONING
The gum is allowed to cool. The temperature and humidity are
carefully controlled to make sure the finished gum will stay fresh
on
store shelves for an extended period of time.
STEP EIGHT: WRAPPING
The packaging materials are vital in protecting the freshness
of
Wrigley's gum. In one continuous process, the wrapping machine
receives and wraps the sticks, applies the outer wrapper, and
seals
the ends of each package. Most of the wrapping machines were
designed and built by Wrigley engineers and machinists, and each
is
made up of approximately 6,000 moving parts.
STEP NINE: PACKING
The packages are automatically packed into boxes or clear plastic
bags that move on conveyor belts for final inspection. Boxes are
wrapped with a clear covering and both boxes and bags are packed
into shipping cases. Wrigley's gum is then shipped to hundreds
of
thousands of stores and other retail outlets all over the world.
Thanks to the Wrigley Company for these details.
(http://www.wrigley.com/wrigley/about/about_story_plant.asp)
