By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
LOVES PARK — Perfetti Van Melle has ramped up its operation and grown its workforce in its first year of ownership of the local gum factory.
The international confectionary company targets a total 65% growth in its local workforce from last October, when it acquired the factory at 5500 Forest Hills Road, until the end of this year.
The 700,000-square-foot gum plant employed 300 people when Perfetti Van Melle acquired it from Mondelēz International. It expects to have roughly 500 workers by the end of the year.
The plant where Trident, Dentyne and other brands are made has already grown to about 400 workers over the past 10 months.
It’s hiring full-time roles in production operations, maintenance, packaging, engineering, quality control, management and other jobs. Hourly roles start at $20 per hour, plus benefits, with the potential to earn more based on experience.
“Our Rockford facility has the space and capability to expand production lines, and we are excited to bring these growth projects to life,” said Sylvia Buxton, president and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America.
Part of the initial growth came from adding a new manufacturing line to handle packaging of Mentos, which was part of Perfetti’s portfolio before acquiring Trident, Dentyne, Bubblicious and Stride from Mondelez.
“We’re a dynamic employer in the greater Rockford region, producing beloved products that bring joy to people worldwide,” Buxton said. “We want people to know that Perfetti Van Melle is here, investing in the Rockford factory, our team and the local community.”
The factory has been in operation since 1956, and for many people it stands out for the sweet smell that wafts in the air as you drive down Forest Hills Road.
“I used to work across the street, so I can speak firsthand to how great it smells,” said Duncan Geddes, executive director of the Parks Chamber of Commerce. “What an involvement the company has had in the community for a long time. It’s been a large employer, and really been a pillar of the business community in the Parks.”
Geddes said he’s glad to see not only the company’s hiring, but how it’s been involved in the community since taking over the plant in October.
Perfetti was, for example, a key sponsor of the Diamonds storytelling gala with Michelle Williams. It has also donated to local charities and programs such as the Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign, and it participated in community events and holiday celebrations.
“The company got involved right away with our holiday parade last year, which was fun to see a big Perfetti Van Melle float in the parade,” Geddes said. “Definitely nice to see they’re involved in the community and what they do for their employees and staff.”
Pefetti said increasing the workforce is necessary to support rising demands across the U.S. and Canada.
“There’s a lot of pride within this community and you can definitely see that pride within this plant,” Josh Hann said. “This place has been around since 1956, and a place cannot survive without employees that have been here 30, 40 years.”
Hann said experience isn’t necessary for those interested in applying to work at the factory.
“The growth potential is unlimited here in this facility,” Hann said. “That’s what’s most exciting for me is to see the growth amongst the new employees to see where they can finish in the next several years and beyond.”
There’s one other perk to working at the factory, Hann said.
“I can tell you that I never go home smelling worse than I started,” Hann said. “It’s like working in a giant air freshener.”
Want to work at the gum factory?
Perfetti Van Melle, 5500 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park, is hiring dozens more workers before the end of the year.
Visit jobs.PerfettiVanMelle.com to learn more about how to apply.