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Tootsie Roll CEO dies at 95

Melvin Gordon, the CEO of Tootsie Roll Industries has died this week at the age of 95.

Company representatives said Gordon, who ran the company for 53 years, died following a brief illness, according to the Associated Press. His wife Ellen Gordon has taken over the role of CEO.

“It is with great sadness that we announce today the passing of Melvin – we will all miss him greatly,” Ellen said in a company statement. “Melvin’s life represented the very highest values in business, wisdom, generosity, and integrity.”

Founded in New York in1896 by Leo Hirshfield, the now Chicago-based company is one of North America’s largest and oldest operations manufacturing 64 million Tootsie Rolls a day. In addition to its iconic chewy, chocolate candy, the company manufactures Tootsie Pop, Charms Blow Pop, DOTS, Andes Mints, Sugar Daddy, Charleston Chew, Dubble Bubble, Razzles, Junior Mints and others.

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Jeremy Gerrard was Food Engineering's Digital/Online Editor. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in journalism. His previous work experience includes years spent as a reporter with the Daily Local News out of Chester County, PA. In addition to writing feature articles for Food Engineering, Jeremy covered the Dry Processing, Field Reports and People and Industry news sections.