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HARIBO of America to expand Rosemont HQ, add 55 jobs

HARIBO of America Inc., a global candy maker best known for its fruit-flavored gummy bears, announced Friday it will consolidate its U.S. corporate operations to its Rosemont headquarters, bringing 55 new jobs to the area.

The German, third-generation family-owned company said it is making the change because of the Chicago area's history of candy manufacturing and the local workforce, as well as to centralize its operations.

Under the plan, HARIBO of America will begin consolidation at its headquarters at 500 Bryn Mawr Ave. in December with the goal of expanding from 59 full-time employees to 114 by 2021. Rick Laberge, chief operating officer at HARIBO of America, said the move "completes an important step in a broader growth plan."

The company will be receiving tax credit incentives under the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's EDGE program, a DCEO spokesman confirmed Friday. The business incentive program provide tax breaks for businesses that locate or expand in the state, with the stipulation that the company meet the investment terms in the agreement. The financial terms of HARIBO's 10-year agreement were not released.

DCEO worked with Intersect Illinois and Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration in sealing the deal, Rauner said in a statement.

"HARIBO of America has been a tremendous partner since they moved their operations to Illinois, not only through their work to create opportunity for Illinoisans, but by helping to promote Illinois on a global scale," Rauner said.

Intersect Illinois President and CEO Mark Peterson stressed the importance of bringing foreign direct investment into the local economy.

"Illinois has assets that have allowed us to lead the charge in the U.S.," he said.

Founded by Hans Riegel in 1920 in a suburb of Bonn, Germany, HARIBO is the global market leader in the fruit gum and licorice segment, according to the company's website. The company has 16 manufacturing locations and employs close to 7,000 people globally. The company says it produces 100 million of its popular Gold Bears gummies a day.

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