Mars to close Wrigley Toronto chewing gum factory

The move will eliminate 383 jobs at the facility, which has been in operation for 52 years. It comes as the company is re-organizing its supply chain to deal with a sharp decline in sales of chewing gum. Recent improvements in sales and increased productivity have “not been enough to offset declines in the gum category over recent years,” The facility, first opened in 1963, produces some of Wrigley’s most popular chewing gums, including Excel, Extra Professional, and 5Gum, as well as Juicy Fruit and Orbit. About 80% of the plant’s production is shipped to the U.S.