Candy Industry articles from August 2005

Candy Industry archives from August 2005

Sex, cocoa & rock 'n roll.(Opening Shots)(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Never thought you'd see that headline, eh! Aside from teasing my readers a bit with a semi-sensational headline (moi, never!), replacing cocoa for the word drugs just seemed like the proper thing to do this month, given all the headlines I've...

Hershey makes another acquisition ...(mergers and acquisitions)(Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Artisan Confections Co., a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Co., acquired San Francisco-based Joseph Schmidt Confection, Inc. and completed its acquisition of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Inc. this month. Joseph Schmidt...

... As it prepares to launch new Kisses product.(The Hershey Co)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... One of Masterfoods most popular products, M&M's, will soon face competition from The Hershey Co. Hershey is planning to release Kissables, bite-size Hershey's Kisses with red, blue, yellow, green and orange candy coatings. The product is...

American Sugar Refining buys C&H Sugar.(mergers and acquisitions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Yonkers, N.Y.-based American Sugar Refining, Inc. completed its acquisition of C&H Sugar Co., Inc. this month. The company, which is owned by Florida Crystals Corp. and Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, does not anticipate any layoffs...

Sale of chocolate company gets complicated.(Endangered Species Chocolate Co)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The partners who bought the Endangered Species Chocolate Co. have denied every claim made by founder Jon Stocking in the $20-million suit he filed in June. Stocking alleges Wayne Zink and Randolph Deer, the Indiana-based partners of Raintree...

Wrigley to expand Tenn. plant.(Newsletter)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Chicago-based Win. Wrigley Jr. Co. will add another 60,000 sq. ft. to its recently acquired Chattanooga production facility as part of its plan to shift Altoids mint production from Britain. The former 161,000-sq.-ft. Kraft Foods plant, which...

Funding for cocoa study announced.(Newsletter)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In an effort to improve cocoa production, the Dutch government and Cocoa Research UK have donated 1.4 million euros to the University of Reading to study cocoa epigenetics--how the environment influences the plant's genes and how this changes...

NCA/UNICEF educational partnership aimed at Ghanaian children in cocoa areas.(United Nations Children's Fund, National Confectioners Association )
August 1, 2005... As part of its continuing efforts to address concerns about child labor in cocoa-growing nations, the National Confectioners Association (NCA) has forged a partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that provides a model for...

Kliklok-Woodman CMD ink sales, support alliance.(Kliklok-Woodman Packaging Solutions contracts with CMD Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Packaging equipment suppliers Kliklok-Woodman, Decatur, Ga., and CMD Corp., Appleton, Wis., have signed an agreement that expands the Woodman line of bagmakers and creates an exclusive marketing, sales and after sales customer support channel...

Being a Birnn: the two brothers make truffles the only way they know how--with passion. Armed with a confectionery heritage that goes back at least 90 years, Jeff and Bill Birnn remain relentless in striving to improve their operation while maintaining their stellar service to retailers.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... "Ninety years and two months to the day!" exclaims Bill Birnn, co-owner of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, during a Candy Industry visit to the company's offices and manufacturing facility in Burlington, Vt., last month. "We were able to...

Promulgating pralines.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... New Orleans could practically be considered the 51st state. With its unique combination of French and Spanish influences, historical architecture, carnival-like atmosphere and a reputation for being one of the best food cities in the country,...

No experience required: despite starting out with practically no candy making experience, this family-owned company is a true New Orleans success story.(Retail Trendsetter)
August 1, 2005... Starting any kind of business is a daunting venture, with many new owners facing the real fear or financial failure. The owners of Southern Candymakers had even more to fear before opening their doors at 334 Decatur St.: they barely had any...

Remembering your roots: with a history in New Orleans that goes back over 70 years, Aunt Sally's embraces its past, sticking to its original method of making their famed pralines.(Retail Trendsetter)
August 1, 2005... The saying goes that you should remember where you come from. Walking into Aunt Sally's, located in the French Market, it's obvious that the company takes this saying to heart. Aunt Sally's opened its first store in the 1930s and while...

Taking turns at tacking: a steady if not particularly strong wind has most observers buoyant about global confectionery growth. Nevertheless, to move forward, candy makers need to have a strong sense of navigational skills to reach their destination.(Global: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY)
August 1, 2005... There's no earthly way of knowing Which direction they are going! There's no knowing where they're rowing, Or which way the river's flowing! Not a speck of light is showing, So the danger must be growing, For the...

Leaders in innovation: innovation is the process that transfers ideas through business activity into saleable goods, processes and services.
August 1, 2005... Artists do it. Kids do it. Even businessmen do it--innovate, that is--although it seems harder for them. Perhaps that's just one of those urban myths circling the Internet, fostering all sorts of facilitators eager to help corporations--be they...

No permitted lollygagging: novelties, fortification, tropical flavors punch up the sucker category.(Category Closeup: LOLLIPOPS/SUCKERS)
August 1, 2005... To kids today, it's not always the taste that matters, but how cool it is. It's not surprising to see that maxim apply to suckers. There are many new shapes, flavors and novelty creations peppering the lollipop industry right now. But what's...

Keeping up with the customer: starch suppliers and manufacturers notice a higher demand for products that increase shelf life and lower production time.(Candy R&D: TRENDS & APPLICATIONS IN INGREDIENT TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2005... Starches are kind of a hidden ingredient, especially when compared to other ingredients like sweeteners and colorings. A good quality starch is not noticed: it just does its job in the background, whether it is meant to thicken, gel or add...

Super-sized sweetener.(Creators Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Merisant, producer of Equal aspartame sweetener, announces the sweetener's availability in bulk sizes. Three different blends will be available from the Chicago-based company in various bulk sizes including one ton boxes and 25-kg. drums: Equal...

Food and cereal bar ingredients.(Tate & Lyle introduced Rebalance System 33 and Carb Optimizer 50)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... London-based Tate & Lyle releases two new ingredient solution sets designed for cereal and granola bars: Rebalance System 33 and Carb Optimizer 50 Cereal Bar Ingredients. The Rebalance System 33 Ingredients provide binding and cohesion to food...

Doubling chocolate delivery in one dip.(Creators Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... A new innovation in chocolate comes from Zurich-based Barry Callebaut. The company's Duets combine two different types of chocolate in one chocolate chip. Available in dark/white chocolate and milk/white chocolate, the two types of chocolate...

Purple power.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE COMPANY: Ford Gum & Machine Co., Akron, NY THE PRODUCT: Pomegranate Power gum THE HOOK: The sugar-free, antioxidant gum is made with wild blueberries and natural pomegranate extract and sweetened with xylitol. The gum's...

Fruity flavored mints.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE COMPANY: NECCO, Revere, Mass. THE PRODUCT: Raspberry Creme and Orange Creme Thin Mints THE HOOK: NECCO's Haviland brand has added raspberry and orange creme to their chocolate and mint to create Real Chocolate Covered Raspberry and...

Breath solution for smokers.(Inhale Solutions Inc)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE COMPANY: Inhale Solutions, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada THE PRODUCT: ElimiTaste Smoke Screen Insane MaxxMint THE HOOK: This xylitol-based gum is designed to reduce or eliminate the aftertaste from cigars, pipes and cigarettes. In...

The Endangered Species Chocolate Company.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Endangered Species Chocolate Company, which donates a portion of its capital to global organizations that help protect endangered species and habitats, releases their newest confection, the Black Panther Bar. Featuring packaging with a...

Just Born, Inc.(At a glance)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Kids can now decorate and personalize their own marshmallow treat. Bethlehem, Pa.-based Just Born, Inc. announces their new Marshmallow PEEPS Valentine's Day Decorating Kit for the 2006 Valentine's season. Each kit comes with a 4-ct tray of...

Clif Bar & Co.(product enhancement)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Berkeley, Calif.-based Clif Bar & Co. extends its LUNA brand with three new cookie flavors: Peanut Butter Cookie, Cookies 'n Cream Delight and Iced Oatmeal Raisin. The nutritional bars feature organic oats, real peanut butter and chocolate...

R.M. Palmer Co.(product news)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... For Valentine's Day, West Reading, Pa. based R.M. Palmer Co. releases Le Purse with Double Crisp Hearts. The new product features red and white foil-wrapped Double Crisp Hearts that are packaged in 5-oz. paperboard purses. The purses come in...

Angora International.(At a glance)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Halva, a traditional Middle Eastern confection, is coming to the United States via Angora International's Sultan's Finest Food Label. Made from a paste of ground sesame seeds, the product comes in traditional and sugar-free varieties. The...

All natural energy.(product information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE COMPANY: GloryBee Foods, Eugene, Ore. THE PRODUCT: Honey Stix 5-pack THE HOOK: The Honey Stix brand launches itself into the energy snack market with its five-packs of Honey Stix. The sticks are made with all natural flavoring and...

Fancy fruit.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE COMPANY: Gray & Co., Hart, Mich. THE PRODUCT: Queen Anne Dark Chocolate Covered Orange and Milk Chocolate Covered Banana THE HOOK: Gray & Co. extends its Queen Anne Fruit and Chocolate line to include orange and banana. The company...

Party packs, peg bags for bears fish.(PACKAGING UPDATES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Baltimore-based Haribo of America, Inc. is making it easier for gummie-loving consumers to get their fill of Gold-Bears, Happy Colas and Mini Frogs. The company has introduced a one-lb. Party Pack that contains about 46 treat-size pouches of...

Guylian slips into the holidays.(PACKAGING UPDATES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... For this coming holiday season, Guylian Seashells will offer its Belgian chocolate seashells in a new holiday-themed sleeve. The white-and-gold gift box features a Christmas tree-shaped window bordered in gold. Available in shippers that hold...

Searching for something special: packaging suppliers focus on new, more European designs for this holiday season.(Innovations in Packaging)
August 1, 2005... The holiday season is always a special time of year, a time when friends and families come together to celebrate. Candy manufacturers want to reflect this in their packaging, requesting higher quality and more innovative packaging, and the...

Fast tray loading in minimum space.(PPPT)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Sigpack Systems, a Bosch Packaging Technology company, will launch its new compact WTI tray loader in September at the Pack Expo show in Las Vegas. Sigpack's latest addition to its extensive biscuit program offers high productivity and compact...

Packaging capabilities meet confectioners' needs.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Packaging by Design, Inc., headquartered in Elgin, Ill., can produce 10color flexo packaging with its five six-color flexo presses and three adhesive laminators. In addition, the company handles both line and four-color process rollstock...

Sweet profile.(CANDY WRAPPER)(Interview)
August 1, 2005... Looking for a really good piece of nougat? Chances are you won't go to the extremes Sally Williams, a renowned South African cooking instructor for 25 years, did. Williams spent three-and-a-half years trekking through France, Italy, Spain,...