Just Born

Just Born
Privately held company
Industry Confectionery production
Founded 1923
Founder Sam Born
Headquarters 1300 Stefko Boulevard, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Products Candies
Website www.justborn.com

Just Born is a candy manufacturer based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Its tagline is "A great candy isn't made...it's Just Born."

Just Born produces Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, ZOURS, Teenee Beanee Gourmet Jelly Beans, and marshmallow Peeps. The Goldenberg Candy Company became part of Just Born in 2003 and their Peanut Chews are now made under the Just Born label, in original dark chocolate and new milk chocolate. The Goldenberg factory remains in Philadelphia.

History

Russian immigrant Sam Born came to the United States in 1910. In 1916, Born was awarded the "key to the city" of San Francisco for inventing a machine that mechanically inserted sticks into lollipops.

In 1917, Born opened a small retail store in Brooklyn, New York. He displayed in his store window an evolving line of daily made candy, marketing its freshness with a sign that declared Just Born. The original company logo showed a baby resting in a candy measuring scale. Sam Born is also credited with the invention of chocolate sprinkles, known as "jimmies," and the hard coating on ice cream bars.

In 1923, Born started his own manufacturing company in New York City. Irv and Jack Schaffer, Born's brothers in law, joined the company to help market and sell the confections. In 1932, the trio moved operations to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The company took over a 4 story, 224,396 sq. ft. building, built in 1920, from a bankrupt printing company.

Sam Born's son, Bob Born, joined the company in 1946 and would later become President for more than 30 years. He was part of the two man team that mechanized the marshmallow Peeps forming process, allowing a substantial increase in production, leading Just Born to become America's largest manufacturer of seasonal marshmallow confections.

Just Born today

Just Born continues to be family owned. Currently the co-CEOs are Mr. Born's grandson Ross Born and nephew David Shaffer. David Yale is the current President and Chief Operating Officer.

The first Just Born retail store “Peeps and Company” opened in fall 2009 at National Harbor, Maryland. In winter 2012, two more stores opened at the Mall of America, Minnesota and the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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