Vending

Industry loses gumball pioneer Josef Schwarzli of Beaver Machine

Image courtesy of iStock.

December 18, 2020

Josef Schwarzli

Josef Schwarzli, founder of Beaver Machine Corp., recently passed away, according to an email from the company. Schwarzli, who launched the company as Machine-O-Matic Ltd., a metal casting company, before changing its name in 1963, died following a battle with COVID-19, according to an email from his granddaughter, Heidi Schwarzli, the company's business manager.

Schwarzli designed and manufactured the first Beaver gumball machines as well as round gumballs.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Josie, and other family members.

Photo courtesy of the Schwarzli family.