* LOCATION: Produced at the Mars Wrigley Confectionery production plant at 3002 Jersey Pike in Chattanooga
* ABOUT THE PRODUCT: Altoids, which are breath mints, were created by London-based Smith & Company in the 1780s. The brand became part of the Callard & Bowser company in the 19th century. Their advertising slogan is "The Original Celebrated Curiously Strong Mints." That referred to the high concentration of peppermint oil used in the original product.
* ABOUT THE PLANT: In 2005, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. purchased the 161,000-square-foot plant when the company bought various confectionery assets of Kraft Foods Global Inc. for $1.46 billion. In 2008, privately held confections giant Mars Inc. acquired Wrigley for $23 billion.
The factory produces 100 percent of the Altoids large tins in the U.S., according to Jason Schierling, the Chattanooga site director. That includes all the mint flavors such as peppermint, cinnamon, wintergreen and spearmint, he said. The plant also produces Life Savers mints and Life Savers Gummies.
The Chattanooga factory currently employs more than 300 people, Schierling said.
* HISTORY: The plant has been producing Altoids since 2006. When Wrigley purchased the factory and the confectionery segment of Kraft Foods Global, it added Altoids, Life Savers, Creme Savers and Sugus to its array of products as well as various regional and local brands and production capacities.
Wrigley moved production of Altoids mints to Chattanooga from Wales. At the time, Wrigley officials said that as they looked at locations to manufacture Altoids in the U.S. - where product demand is strongest - Chattanooga emerged as the clear leader. The company cited the facility's quality record, experienced employees, and location in terms of distribution.
In 2012, Mars Wrigley's Chattanooga plant nearly doubled its output with the completion of a $23.1 million expansion, adding 1,500 square feet and another production line, company officials said as they marked the 100th year of the Life Savers brand.