ABOUT US
Today, we’re the the people behind Big League Chew® and a leading co-manufacturer for all kinds of gum. But our history is just as sweet.
OUR HISTORY
1913
Ford Mason, a roofing salesman who spent every spring, summer, and fall traveling by horse and buggy over the winding country roads of western New York, was looking for winter work. He decided to give new gumball machines a try. So, he leased 102 machines and placed them in stores throughout our community.
1934
After years of successful business, Ford moved his company to Lockport, New York and renamed it Ford Gum & Machine Co. The new headquarters housed the manufacturing operation for both machines and gumballs. He turned bulk vending from a mom and pop business to a true industry.
1954
Ford was the first to print on the side of a gumball with the only machines capable of printing on a rounded surface of a gumball. Those two Hartnett machines are still in use today.
1962
President Ronald Reagan created a Public Service Announcement for Ford Gum.
2010
Ford Gum joined forces with Big League Chew®and moved production from Mexico back to the United States.
1916
Ford realized most gum machine operators were more interested in making money than satisfying customers. Most gum was of such poor quality, most people would buy once and never again. Sometimes, the machines took coins without even dispensing a piece of gum. He knew there was a better way. So, he and his father made one.
1945
Ford bought two DC-3 transport planes to speed up deliveries and eliminate the backlogs that had grown during World War II.
1960
The company moved to Akron, NY and began co-manufacturing chewing gum for private label brands.
1997
Ford’s management bought back the company from The Hershey Company, along with Carousel, returning the business back to its independence.
2013
Ford Gum celebrated its 100 year anniversary.
Today
Ford Gum is a top manufacturer and co-manufacturer of assorted gums, confections, and health-related products for leading American brands.
Big League Chew® is the only shredded bubble gum in the world, with over 1 billion pouches sold.
And we’re just getting started.
Make history with us
With job opportunities and all kinds of opportunities for co-manufacturing, you’ll find working with us to be pretty sweet.
