Over 120 Years of Excellence

Founded in 1901 in Cleveland, Ohio, Forbes Chocolate was started by Benjamin P. Forbes, who began his career in the chocolate business working for Milton Hershey.

In the late 1920s, Benjamin Forbes developed a new method for making chocolate milk. Rather than using syrup, which had been the industry standard, he created a powder mix; forever changing the flavored milk industry.

Mr. Forbes continued with the company until his death in 1976 at age 103. His son, Benjamin F., ran Forbes Chocolate for 10 years before selling to its general manager, Darwin (Dar) Geringer; a 40-year veteran of the company.

Dar’s brothers, Dennis and Doug, also worked for the company and were soon to be joined by Dar’s son Keith. The Geringers continued to instill the values of integrity, hard work, gratitude, and consideration; so important to the company’s founder.

Under Dar’s leadership, Forbes Chocolate had outgrown its plant, relocated to a larger facility, doubled its sales and introduced new products. Dar spent 58 years with the company until his death in 2004.

Today, Keith Geringer serves as president and, in 2007, guided the company through a move to its current facility, triple the size of the previous plant. This facility features new processing equipment, a full-service lab, and everything needed to efficiently meet the needs of our customers.