Detroit Fudge Co. - Teamwork Makes the Dream Work - September 2020

 

In an unassuming little building nestled off the street the Detroit Fudge Company conducts business in a scene that would make both Willy Wonka and Little Debbie green with envy.  The MM Report had a chance to tour their amazing production facility and chat with some of the crew, and we’re pretty sure we know what their secret ingredient is: Teamwork and a culture that thrives on improvement.  Well, that, and weed.

We were immediately met with a friendly elbow from President Tim Schuler outside their company complex, who was eager to introduce us to the people at the heart of the brand’s success here in Michigan.

Inside, the compact and bustling yet highly efficient space houses almost the entire operation, from baking to shipping, and the people making it all happen seem to do it with a smile (from behind masks, of course).  From the newest to the oldest, everyone in the building had positive vibes to match the positive praise they gave their environment.  

Gatekeeper to the kingdom, Kate, is in charge of shipping all the goodies to the provisioning centers, and ultimately, your mouth.  Surrounded by boxes, she stands as a piece of the puzzle that is the success of the Detroit Fudge Company.  From this single location the team distributes edibles to over 90% of the licensed retailers in Michigan.  Kate takes the volume in stride, and quipped “It’s a really fun place to work.  It can be serious, but at the end of the day we are making pot brownies and sending them all over the state, and that is really cool.”  

Following the stacks of ready to ship delights we found our attention drawn to a set of tables filled with chocolate bars, and four more essential links in the teamwork chain.  They chatted as they worked, diligently packaging, labelling, and boxing.

Thomas, resident newbie, explained that the place was, “Very friendly and accommodating,

you can talk to just about anyone.”  Jordan, the most senior of the squad, agreed with the sentiment, “Love it, it’s great, it’s a chill work environment,” adding, “Tim and Bob actually care, if we can improve, they figure out a way and are constantly upgrading the company.”  The two were stationed with a couple of shy but hard working ladies, as they packaged and stacked Barracuda Bars, seemingly unphased by the sweet smell of chocolate.   Barracuda is a great name, as visions of flopping around on the table like a fish while gobbling up chocolate were hard to ignore.

Following our noses led us immediately to a machine of wicked design, and beautiful intent, as a different part of the team brought out large trays of fudge to be cut into squares.  Watching as they carefully handled the edibles brought a tear to our eye, mostly because we could not eat them.  This relatively quiet crew assured us they too resisted the incredible urge to ingest these amazing looking freshly baked treats.  To the source we went.

Like a queen bee at the center of her hive, head chef Aubry took a break from hand mixing batches of edibles to show us around the nerve center of the Detroit Fudge Company.  Two mixers (as pictured on the cover), and a giant floor mixer, coupled with good ‘ol fahsioned human hands create every single product.  The kitchen itself is quite impressive in it’s simplicity, and rather pleasant.  The intoxicating aroma dizzied our senses as the master practiced her craft, just another day in the office for her seasoned nose.  

Chef Aubry manages the kitchen and its ten edible makers, and she loves her job, “I just like being able to help people.  Making medicated edibles is fun and exciting.  We have a great time here.”        

We had one more room to see, the chocolate room.  Racks and racks of bars in molds,

cooling, and more teammates, pouring infused chocolate and shaking infused bars from molds.  In other words, heaven.  We watched in awe a moment, quick to leave the tiny chocolate paradise. or be to blame for the melting of all that goodness.  

To see a group of human beings, not machines, proudly making this kind of product, at this kind of volume, is nothing short of a thing of beauty.  Each batch, every bar, handled with care by someone who cares.  Human-power is alive and well in Michigan, still, and the Detroit Fudge Company is a fine example of how you do not have to cut out the people in order to be successful in the industry, it’s quite the opposite.

Be sure to check out their new flavors, Rocky Road, and limited time seasonal Pumpkin Spice, and keep your eyes peeled for Cannalicious Labs products coming soon as well.