The company has two research facilities in the United States, and each of the factories worldwide has a quality assurance laboratory. Under the direction of a food chemist, quality assurance specialists carefully inspect and test all ingredients and materials. In Chicago, the Wrigley Company maintains a central Quality Assurance Laboratory. There, samples from each factory are tested regularly to be sure the flavor and texture of the company's brands are uniform throughout the world.
Experiments are constantly under way to develop new or improved products and packages.
Channels of distribution One way in which Wrigley's gum is distributed is through wholesalers, who in turn supply retail stores in the areas they serve. The gum is shipped almost entirely by truck to the wholesalers from Wrigley factories or warehouses located in various cities. For chain stores or cooperative groups, the gum is shipped to their warehouses, then distributed to the member stores. At the consumer level, Wrigley's gum is sold in such outlets as food, drug, variety, convenience and confectionery stores, gas stations, newsstands and restaurants. Vending machines are another important aspect of the retail distribution system.