North of the Border is an important place to get Life Savers, too...has been the case, since early in Life Savers history. They've even had flavors not available in the US, like "Raisin."
Things shifted in 2002, when even the Life Savers sold in the US began being manufactured in Canada, as shown in the bottom photo to the left.
Canadian Life Savers Vehicles⭕
Canadian Flavors⭕
1910
In the 1910s, Life Savers were produced in Montreal. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-1910s-usa-life-savers-magazine-advert-85357846.html.
1920
Life Savers were first produced in around 1920 at Prescott, Ontario, Canada; this newer site was about 2 hours Southwest of the Montreal site. Interestingly, Prescott was less than 1 hour (and a passport entry point) away from Gouverneur, New York, Ed Noble's hometown. This plant was damaged by fire.
1922
Later, they were produced in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1922 during the Beech-Nut years.
1930s
These 🖼️ pictures show the 1930s Ford Sedan, manufacturing processes and beautiful yellow 🟡 lemon Life Savers.
1932
1932 began "The Mystery of Musk" as explained on MeandMyBigMouth.com.au,
"An advertisement in the Geraldton Guardian and Express in 1932 encouraged children to come to the Saturday matinee at the local picture theatre with the offer of a ‘free sample of Life [S]avers’ new products. This week’s new sample is 'Musk'."
Hamilton's next plant was on Cumberland Avenue, in 1951.
1931-2004, Hamilton manufacturing plant
This single plant was open for 82 years, from the Beech-Nut™️ years, until the Life Savers merger in 1931, until its closing in June 2004. Its address was 100 Cumberland Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario.
1951
"In 1951 the prosperous Life Savers company opened a $600,000 plant on Cumberland Avenue, replacing its previous factory just west of it. The new plant contained over 45,000 square feet of floor space, almost twice as much as the previous works." (epe.lac-bac)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/life-savers-story-book-christmas-sale-stop-1.70575621
https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/industrial/lifesavers.htm
1978-1982, Life Savers Canada Inc
Western Libraries has annual reports for 1978 to 1982, so we at least know that Life Savers Canada existed between those years.
http://www.lib.uwo.ca/business/records/canadian_corporate_reportsJZ.html
1979
Burlington became the Canadian home office in 1979.
1980
Nova Scotia got its first plant in the 1980s.
1987, when Hershey Canada bought the Canadian business
https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/04/16/hershey-adds-canadian-treats/
1996, Life Savers Canada purchased by Beta Brands Limited
At least 2003 to at least 2006 Life Savers produced by Jacob Suchard
A few of the flavors they produced during those years were Hulk™️ Sour Lime (Limette Surette), Butterscotch (Caramel au Beurre) and Cherry (Merise).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonliebigstuff/5697035945
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonliebigstuff/1766513988
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonliebigstuff/1765950829
2004 Wrigley's of Chicago
Candy professor has indicated that,
"Wrigley’s of Chicago agreed to buy the C&B and Life Savers units from Kraft in November 2004 for USD$1.48 billion after beating out competitors Hershey, Mars, Nestlé and Cadbury. The purchase was completed in June, 2005. Altoids is now owned by Mars, which acquired Wrigley’s in October 2008."
https://candyprofessor.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/callard-bowser-butterscotch/
Wrigley Canada, Toronto, Ontario
Though it's not clear what year this is, this Pep⭕Mint has a link to www.candystand.ca
2023, no more Storybooks, says Mars Canada
"We discontinued the Life Saver Fun Books in 2023," confirmed Tarm Nersesian, director of external communications and affairs for Mars Canada.
Sources:
https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/industrial/lifesavers.htm
https://meandmybigmouth.com.au/musk/
⭕⭕⭕
Life Savers™️ is a trademarked name currently owned in the US by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, having been owned and/or licensed by many previous companies, varying by country.
©️2024 to present. All rights reserved.