MADE IN NORTHWEST INDIANA: Business with a twist

LAPORTE | At American Licorice Company you will find a sweet twist to the story of three families who are all connected to the company's confectionery history. Launched in 1914 in Chicago with the introduction of black licorice twists, the company's family-owned tradition continues with the fifth generation of Walsh, Kretchmer and Nelson families.

"We are all related to the same great–great–grandfather, Martin Kretchmer," said Cliff Walsh, director of operations at the company's LaPorte plant. "There are a lot of different stories to how it started. It is believed Martin Kretchmer had one of those candy carts. He pressed his own candy in his apartment and would go and sell it on the streets and over time it developed."

Kretchmer's two sons helped establish the company's roots, with one staying in Chicago and one heading to California. Today, candy is produced in Union City, Calif., and the Midwest plant has moved over the years from Chicago to Alsip, Ill., and eventually to the LaPorte location seven years ago.

The relocation of the plant to LaPorte was a big challenge for the company, Walsh said, but necessary because of growth and the need for more space.

"We've never relocated a plant of that size to a different area. It was mentally tough as most employees had been there for 15 to 25 years. It was emotionally draining as well to get this up and going with brand new people and equipment," Walsh said. "When we first opened, we had one shift with 15 to 20 associates and now we've grown and we are operating three shifts, five days a week."

With the Red Vine and assorted flavors of licorice produced out in California, the LaPorte plant rolls out all of the Sour Punch products, Sip–n–Chews and Extinguisher chewy sour candy as well as classic Snaps, which are black licorice centers wrapped in pastel coating. Walsh said the candies are available at Costco, Sam's Club, Wal–Mart, Al's Grocery, Kroger, Walgreen's and other big–chain stores.

Walsh credits the company's years of success to its employees.

"No. 1 is our people. They're engaged, very well trained and passionate and they hold themselves to a high level of accountability," he said. "We also have a culture of continuous improvement. We try to be better tomorrow then we are today."

While the company has faced slow times, the current economic climate has not been one of them.

"We do get slow but these last few years when everyone's been struggling have been some of the best years in our company's history," Walsh said, who believes candy is for the most part recession–proof. "When times get tough, people make choices on how they are going to get enjoyment out of life, especially when it comes to their kids. If they can't afford that G.I. Joe guy, they can at least spend a little on a candy bar or Sour Punch. We look for less expensive ways to enjoy life."

Walsh said the company looks to continue its community engagement efforts in the future as well as adding to the candy family.

"We want to find the next big thing," he said. "We don't know what that is yet."