Candy Industry articles from March 2002

Candy Industry archives from March 2002

The art of acquisitions. (Opening Shots).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Most of us have made some kind of major purchase in life, be it a home, automobile, a real estate investment, perhaps even a small business. Hopefully, none of us made one that he or she regretted later. But consider the implications when...

Nestle acquires Brazilian Garoto. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Citing the need to strengthen its market position and "extend the availability of Nestle products to consumers everywhere," Nestle acquired Brazilian chocolate and confectionery manufacturer Garoto S/A in late February. Garoto operates two...

Kraft Foods to slash 7,500 jobs as it folds in Nabisco. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In a mid-March filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Kraft Foods revealed that it will cut 7,500 jobs as a result of folding Nabisco's cookie and cracker business into its operations. Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods plans to...

Wrigley reaffirms aggressive marketing tack. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... At the company's March annual stockholders meeting in Chicago, William Wrigley Jr. president and ceo of the nation's largest gum company, told attendees that the "riskiest part for a successful company is to sit back and take no chances at...

Cadbury Schweppes to acquire 51% interest in Kent. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... London-based food and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes said it signed an agreement to purchase a majority interest (51%) in Kent, Turkey's leading candy manufacturer, as well as in its distribution arm Birlik, from the Tahincioglu family for...

Koko's unveils new process for shaped gum pieces. (Newsletter).(Koko's Confectionery and Novelty)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Timonium, Md.-based Koko's Confectionery & Novelty Co. revealed that it has, after three years of development, perfected a way to manufacture gum into virtually any shape imaginable. The specific formula, in tandem with custom-engineered tablet...

No buyers for bankrupt Shanghai chocolate maker. (Newsletter).(Shanghai Coline Cocoa Products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Despite encouragement from the auctioneer, China's first wholly overseas-owned and now bankrupt company, Shanghai Coline Cocoa Products, failed to elicit any bids for the company's assets, which includes Asia's largest chocolate production...

Kmart to close 284 stores, cut 22,000 jobs. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In a move to reduced costs and thus ensure its survival for the future, Detroit-based Kmart Corp. said it would close 284 stores across the country and eliminate 22,000 jobs. Noting that the store closings are "an integral part of the company's...

Chocolate survey finds women don't feel guilty. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... The latest survey conducted by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association in celebration of American Chocolate Week, March 17-23, finds that 93% eat chocolate and only 3% feel guilty doing so. Of the 1,022 women polled, two thirds (67%) prefer...

Industry toughs out rough year. (NCA State of the Industry Update).(National Confectioners Association)
March 1, 2002... Despite grappling with some tough issues and tough economic times in 2001, the industry and the association are well prepared to tackle both challenges and opportunities this year, Larry Graham, president of the National Confectioners...

People on the move.(personnel changes in the candy industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy Co. promotes Peter Healy to vice president of marketing and international sales, a new position. Ford Gum & Machine Company, Akron, N.Y., appoints Laurie Lichko marketing manager. Bronx,...

Sweet spot: ISM's 32nd annual exhibition of confections and sweets underscores its growing international appeal.(International Sweets and Biscuits Fair)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Tradition versus trendiness. Content versus cosmetics Snacking versus satisfaction. Global versus local. Conglomerates versus cottage industries Hedonism vs. health. These and countless other conflicting trends were prevalent at the...

Greener pastures: through a combination of strong organic growth and timely acquisitions, father-and-son team Uziel and Amir Frydman look to make Sherwood Brands a $100-million company this year.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2002... Civil engineer. Consumer packaged goods marketer. University instructor. Dealmaker. Salesman. Uziel Frydman has worn more than a few hats. As president and ceo of Rockville, Md.-based Sherwood Brands, he continues to adjust his headgear as the...

In Helen's good graces: recently acquired Helen Grace Chocolates finds itself now thoroughly focused on what founder Bill Grace always intended -- producing good chocolates. (Chocolate Trendsetter).
March 1, 2002... Helen Grace probably expected a box of chocolates from her husband, Bill, on her 30th birthday. After all, he was a candymaker. Helen, however, could not have been more surprised with Bill's gift. Instead of a box of chocolates, he gave Helen a...

Seasonal efforts demand: more than just candy. (Category Closeup).(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Everyone knows seasonal candies are big business. Estimates peg total sales between two and six billion dollars a year. As a result, even non-seasonal confectionery manufacturers are looking for ways to tap into this lucrative niche. For...

Nutrinova. (News Ticker).(consumer behavior study)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Somerset, N.J.-based Nutrinova confirms that there's strong consumer demand for products that combine healthy living with great taste. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2000 advised Americans to moderate their sugar...

Blommer Chocolate Company. (News Ticker).(begins construction of new factory)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Blommer Chocolate Company, Chicago, Ill., broke ground on a 90,000-sq.-ft. building addition to its East Greenville, Pa. factory. The project consists of two building sites: an 85,000-sq.-ft. warehouse for finished goods with 12 shipping truck...

Cerestar. (News Ticker).(sweetener endorsed in South Africa)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Cerestar's all-natural, noncaloric bulk sweetener has been now endorsed by South Africa. Ceridex is already marketed successfully in the USA and Japan, and more recently in Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Russia and Israel....

Haarman & Reimer. (News Ticker).(consumer survey)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Haarman & Reimer's Flavor Division released the results of its recent sensory and consumer reseach on "tweens," 6- to 12-year-olds. According to Sherry Genchi, director of sensory research for the Teterboro, N.J.-based flavors company, the...

Buderim Ginger, Inc. (News Ticker).(trade with United States food industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Ginger supplier Buderim Ginger, Inc., Queensland, Australia, will now deal directly with the U.S. food industry. Buderim Ginger, Inc. has been supplying the world's candy industry with top quality ginger products for decades.

Form and function vary to reach common goal of sweeteness. (Candy R&D: trends & applications in ingredient technology).
March 1, 2002... Mankind instinctively seeks out sweet foods. No surprise then, that sugar has appeared prominently in mankind's history, prompting conquest and calamity nearly as often as culinary discovery. These days, however, discovery clearly supercedes...

Cookie elegance. (New Products).(biscotti from Nestle Perugina)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: Nestle Perugina, Glendale, Calif. THE PRODUCT: Biscotti THE HOOK: A delicately light and crunchy Irish cream cookie with pistachios, dipped in dark chocolate. These classic biscottis are wrapped individually for freshness,...

Unicorn's lollipops. (New Products).(from Adams and Brooks Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: Adams & Brooks, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. THE PRODUCT: Sour Mini-Unicorn Pops THE HOOK: Specialty lollipops twirl like a unicorn's horn and pucker the tongue with a tantalizing sour-apple flavor. Sour Mini-Unicorn Pops are...

Poppable chocolates. (New Products).(from Brach's Confections)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: Brach's Confections, Chattanooga, Tenn. THE PRODUCT: Popz THE HOOK: Now consumers can indulge on a bite-sized, poppable chocolate snack that delivers a crispy, lightly salted texture. Made with large, mushroom style popcorn,...

Spiderman returns. (New Products).(confections from Taste of Nature)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: Taste of Nature, Inc., Beverly Hills, Calif. THE PRODUCT: Spiderman Cotton Candy and Spiderman Gummi Sour Mutant Spiders THE HOOK: Spiderman candies will be released in conjunction with the release of Sony Pictures' Spiderman...

Moo pies. (New Products).(from Baraboo Candy Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: Baraboo Candy Co, Baraboo, Wis. THE PRODUCT: Mini Cow Pie THE HOOK: Available for impulse changemaker sales in a bite-sized 2.5-oz. version, the Original Cow Pie is a milk chocolate-coated candy bar filled with crunchy pecans...

Caffeine cola rush. (New Products).(from Taste of Nature)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: Taste of Nature, Inc., Beverly Hills, Calif. THE PRODUCT: Jolt Cola Energy Rush THE HOOK: A cola-flavored pressed tablet that's loaded with caffeine, guarana and taurine provides consumers with a burst of energy in the...

Eyeball crunch. (New Products).(from R.M. Palmer Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... COMPANY: R.M. Palmer Company, Reading, Pa. THE PRODUCT: Goog-Ly Eyes THE HOOK: These chocolaty "eyeballs" have a tasty crunch of fresh rice crisps in every bite. Wrapped in "eyeball" foils and then packed into a tie-top bag, the...

It's a wrap! (New Products).(Jelly Belly cans)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Goelitz Confections features Jelly Belly's two new cans. Jelly Belly beans can now be taken anywhere in the new can with resealable lids. The small, snack-sized can holds 7-oz. of 21 select flavors of Jelly Belly beans. While the 12-oz. Jelly...

PMCA Technical Session Closeup: a synopsis of the technical presentations scheduled for the PMCA 56th annual conference in Hershey, Pa., on April 8 through April 10, 2002. (PMCA Preview).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Monday, April 8 7:45 a.m. Registration - Chocolate Lobby 8:10 a.m. Greetings - Chocolate Ballroom Logan Jones, The Warrell Corp., PMCA Chairman Back to Basics - Fats & Oils: (Technical Sessions - Chocolate Ballroom)...

A chocolate affair. (Candy Wrapper).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... (Special coverage of the chocolate exhibit at Chicago's Field Museum) Chocolate. One word that causes hearts to race and mouths to water. From the rainforest to the candy counter, chocolate tempts like no other confection. Now tourists and...