Candy Industry articles from March 2003

Candy Industry archives from March 2003

In good hands. (Opening Shots).(Candy Industry offers features on World's Finest Chocolate and Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... As the son of a former small business entrepreneur, I can appreciate the importance of family support. Although my father doesn't run a family business anymore, I still vividly recall when he and my uncle tried their hand at running their own...

Chupa Chups solidifies financial standing ... (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Barcelona-based Chupa Chups, the world's largest manufacturer of lollipops, dispelled misleading reports regarding its financial stability by disclosing that the Bernat family, principal shareholders of the company, have recently re-capitalized...

... While boosting consumer outlays. (Newsletter).(Chupa Chups, marketing effort)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The latest moves represent a series of restructuring and reorganization shifts that focus on implementing a new marketing effort, one that's based "on a strong focus to core brands and a more strategic approach to its traditional innovation...

World cocoa deficit predicted for 2002/2003 season. (Newsletter).(consumption, production)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... World cocoa consumption will exceed production by 120,000 tons in the 2002/2003 season, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). The expectation is that, after the current season, which is forecast by ICCO to produce a deficit...

Brazilian, U.S. companies leave Easter egg market. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Brazilian and U.S. chocolate producers Bauducco and Hershey, owner of the Visconti brand, recently left the Easter egg market in Brazil, leaving space for Nestle (Garoto brand) and Kraft Foods (Lacta brand). Analysts project that Brazilian will...

Chocolate manufacturers select new president. (Newsletter).(Chocolate Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Vienna, Va.-based Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA) have chosen Lynn Munroe Bragg, former chairman and vice chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission, as its new president. The move follows the decision by the CMA and...

Walgreens pulls military-themed Easter baskets ... (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Walgreens opted to remove from its shelves a prepackaged Easter basket that features ammo-strapped plastic soldiers, assault rifles, tanks and helicopters perched atop candy and fake grass. The company received calls about the baskets, which...

... While Wrigley gives up on antacid gum. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. will cease shipping of its Surpass antacid gum this month because of poor sales and will close the Healthcare Division that made the gum. Surpass gum, launched two years ago, never made it into the top 15...

Maine rejects bill to ban school vending machines. (Newsletter).
March 1, 2003... A bill banning candy and soda sales in Maine schools unanimously was rejected by a legislative committee. The package called for the elimination of soft drinks and junk food in school vending machines in addition to increased nutritional...

... While U.S. vending machine demand to reach $1.6 billion. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The U.S. demand for vending machines is forecasted to rise nearly 6% per year, reaching $1.6 billion in 2006, reports the Freedonia Group Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. After a sluggish year in 2001, sales will rebound due to the rising number of...

Stollwerck acquisition boosts Barry Callebaut. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Swiss chocolate producer Barry Callebaut saw strong improvements in both sales and profits during the first set of quarterly results. A shift in focus away from the volatile raw materials market toward more stable, higher-margin consumer...

Bimbo closes Vienna chocolate factory. (Newsletter).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Mexican baked good company Bimbo has closed its chocolate factory in Vienna, Austria, because of high operating costs and competition in the European market. Bimbo's European operations will now be focused on its factory in Ostraba, Czech...

Obesity and other weighty issues examined at NCA State of the industry conference. (Candy News).(National Confectioners Association)
March 1, 2003... Kraft Foods Senior Vice President Michael Mudd got the National Confectioners Association's State of the Industry conference off to a provocative start last month with a thoughtful analysis of the obesity problem in America. The candy industry,...

Hershey's Matthews gets distinguished service nod. (Candy News).(Milt Matthews, Hershey Foods' vice president and chief customer officer, honored for service to candy industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Milt Matthews, Hershey Foods' vice president and chief customer officer, was honored with NCA's 2003 Distinguished Service Award, presented in recognition of longtime industry service. Matthews' approach to the candy business has been one...

Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Hanlon. (Candy News).(James A. Hanlon, president and CEO of Harmony Foods Corp., was recognized as the recipient of NCA's 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A leader in the candy industry for more than 35 years, James A. Hanlon, president and ceo of Harmony Foods Corp., was recognized at the conference as the recipient of NCA's 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to his role at...

Dylan's Candy Bar goes Texan. (Candy News).(signs lease for store in Houston)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Dylan's Candy Bar, the New York City candy retailer, recently committed to a 10-year lease for its first-ever store outside of the Big Apple. The new 4,500-sq.-ft. shop, co-owned by Dylan Lauren, daughter of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and...

Coast-to-coast operating costs. (Candy News).(study completed on typical operating costs for confectionery plants in the United States)(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... Princeton, N.J.-based The Boyd Co. Inc, recently completed a study on typical operating costs for confectionery plants in the United States. San Francisco proved to be the most expensive place, while Chattanooga/Cleveland, Tenn., earned...

2003 Kettle Award nominees. (Kettle Ballot).(detailed by firm and executives)
March 1, 2003... [] Domenic M. Antonellis President/Chief Executive Officer New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) Cambridge, Mass. Under the guidance of Domenic Antonellis, NECCO has grown from being a $10-million company to its goal of $100 million,...

Cologne draws confectioners from all corners. (Conference Coverage).(33rd International Sweets and Biscuits Fair was recently held in Cologne, Germany)
March 1, 2003... Despite less than robust economies, despite growing anxieties about a war in Iraq [anxieties that proved true], and despite the absence of several heavyweight confectionery companies, the 33rd International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) held...

World class: Chicago-base world's finest chocolate redirects its resources toward new market niches after sealing a long-term fundraising deal with Reader's Digest. (Cover Story).(Company Profile)
March 1, 2003... It's rare to find someone who went to grammar school in Chicago that's unfamiliar with a World's Finest Chocolate (WFC) fundraising chocolate-and-almond bar. The familiar white band and silver foil bars that come in carry-along cartons have...

New look takes shape: with brand new packaging, redesigned retail stores and a catchy advertising campaign, Quality Candy wants more customers to know its name. (Chocolate Trendsetter).(Company Profile)
March 1, 2003... When in need of a sweet chocolate indulgence, the Milwaukee area knows where to find Quality--Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel that is. With 15 retail stores in southeastern Wisconsin, residents keep orders for the company's award winning...

Reality shows: candy manufacturers came to market with the optimism of an American Idol contestant in 2002. Nevertheless, consumer judges have become more critical than ever before. (State of the Industry).(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2003... Candy marketers appear as optimistic as Evan and Zora on the last episode of "Joe Millionaire": Pleased that the relationship between manufacturer and buyer seems to be working out, they are ready to forge ahead to bigger and better things. But...

Great taste, more filling: dark chocolates tickle a broader palate. (Premium Chocolates).
March 1, 2003... Good news! While the total chocolate category for the year ending Dec. 28, 2002, was flat, premium chocolates--classified as chocolate selling for $8 a pound or more--was up approximately 11%, reports AC Nielson. Gourmet products' acceptance...

`Polyols' as sweet as sugar: their importance lies not in replacing sugar, but in adding benefits. (Candy R&D: trends & applications in ingredient technology).
March 1, 2003... Bustin' all over. Yea, we're talking sweeteners here. The category just continues to grow. The quality of sugarfree products keeps getting better, because of increased variety in technically suitable sweetener ingredients. Time along with new...

Candy comics. (New Products).(Au'some Candies Inc. introduces Marvel Snerdles fruit snack)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... COMPANY: Au'some Candies Inc., Monmouth Junction, N.J. THE PRODUCT: Marvel Snerdles THE HOOK: Marvel comic strips comes to life in this candy-decorated fruit snack. The strips combine a fruit snack with fruit-flavored candies...

Environmental bars. (New Products).(Earth Foods Inc. introduces EcoBar)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... COMPANY: Earth Foods Inc., Batavia, Ill. THE PRODUCT: EcoBar THE HOOK: Marketed as the environmental friendly and nutritious, yet good tasting snack bar, EcoBar blends gourmet taste and natural nutrition into five different taste...

Seattle Chocolates. (Holiday Rollout).(has introduced a 5-oz. Easter Gift Bag in its 2003 Spring Collection )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Seattle Chocolates introduced a new 5-oz. Easter Gift Bag in its Spring Collection for 2003. The Easter Gift Bag is filled with an assortment of blackberry cream, cool mint, milk chocolate mint and raspberry cream truffles, decorated with an...

PEZ Candy Inc. (Holiday Rollout).(added four new glow-in-the dark characters to its Halloween dispenser assortment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Orange, Conn.-based PEZ Candy Inc. added four new glow-in-the dark characters to its Halloween dispenser assortment: witch, mummy, smiling pumpkin and skull. These interactive candy dispensers will join the existing six glow-in-the-dark spooky...

The Topps Company Inc. (Holiday Rollout).(to introduce Christmas version of Baby Bottle Pop)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Topps Company Inc., New York, gets its Baby Bottle Pop line into the Christmas spirit. The Christmas version of this product features a candy top molded into a Christmas tree or snowman, which can be dipped into a candy powder. The...

Gummi troops. (New Products).(Albanese Confectionery Group introduces Gummi Army Guys)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... COMPANY: Albanese Confectionery Group Inc., Merrillville, Ind. THE PRODUCT: Gummi Army Guys THE HOOK: The gummi troops were just rolled out to the military worldwide. "Bazooka" Bob, "Forrest Fighter" Steve, "GI" Johnny, "Sniper" Scott...

Fruit snacks. (New Products).(new from General Mills Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... COMPANY: General Mills Inc., Minneapolis, Minn. THE PRODUCT: Sesame Street Elmo Fruit Snacks THE HOOK: Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization and producers of Sesame Street, and Betty Crocker for the first time bring a...

Diverse use flavors. (Creators Briefs).
March 1, 2003... Rockleigh, N.J.-based Takasago International Corp. produces flavors that are water-soluble. The flavorings are available as powders or in emulsion form. The company uses analysis, compound and formulation technologies that meet diverse needs in...

Pearl-like coat. (Creators Briefs).
March 1, 2003... The allure of a pearl-like finish and the sparkle of vibrant colors characterize confections coated with Pearlicoat Pearlescent Pigment System from Colorcon, West Point, Pa. This thin-coat product is designed to help the food industry reach...

Fruit combinations. (Creators Briefs).(Robertet Flavors Inc. offers Punch Accord, newest addition to the Accord line of flavor notes )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Robertet Flavors Inc. in Piscataway, N.J., released Punch Accord, the newest addition to the Accord line of flavor notes. Designed for use as a top note in combination with other fruit flavors such as cherry, strawberry and grape, the addition...

Berry sensations. (Creators Briefs).
March 1, 2003... Philadelphia-based Ottens Flavors now offers a line of berry flavors including: strawberry, blueberry, red and black raspberry, white and red cranberry, mountain berry, forest berry, loganberry, bilberry, blackberry and boysenberry. These...

Meeting of the moguls. (Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology).(art and automation of producing gummi/jelly candy; partnership between Robert Bosch and Makat Candy Technology)
March 1, 2003... Gummies and jellies continue to remain popular with young and old consumers. To produce them in a variety of shapes, flavors and textures, confectioners must combine art with automation. With regards to automation, the mogul line represents...

Versatility dovetails with innovation. (Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology).(Sweet Candy Co. installs NID candy system)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Sydney-based NID, specialists in starch moulding installations, continues to inject emerging technology into its development program. Specifically, NID has developed and patented a system where articles can be demoulded and passed in the...

High-speed mogul line offers flexibility. (Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology).
March 1, 2003... Winkler and Dunnebier's WDS high-speed mogul line, Type 462 B/1 can handle a broad range of products, including items based on agar, pectin, gelatin, starch, fondant and marshmallow. The equipment is also suitable for depositing liqueur. ...

Moulds maxmize productivity. (Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology).(Liberty Engineering Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Liberty Engineering Co. (LEC), which was founded in Beloit, Wis., in 1940 by Gerald Belardi, started out doing contract work for the U.S. government, focusing on the manufacture of component parts for the Armed Forces. The post-war search...

`Chocful' of color, convenience. (Innovations in Packaging).(candy from Cadbury Trebor Allen)
March 1, 2003... To ensure consumers won't be able to resist its latest new product introduction, Chocfuls, a butterscotch hard candy with a soft center available in three different flavors, Cadbury Trebor Allan out of Toronto turned to Hartsville, S.C.-based...

Paperboard competition unveils confectionery winners. (Innovations in Packaging).(winners of National Paperboard Packaging Competition)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Last January, the Paperboard Packaging Council held its 60th National Paperboard Packaging Competition in Arlington, Va. And while design counts, the judges also analyze an entry's functional characteristics as well as its ability to stand out...

Seasonal designs spring forth. (Innovations in Packaging).(United States Can Co. introduces new tin designs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Baltimore-based US Can looks to capture the allure of the seasons with a new selection of tin designs in its latest catalogue. In addition to graphic interpretations capturing the wonder of the seasons, the company also offers different shapes...

Demand grows for popular pouches. (Innovations in Packaging).(industry forecasts for pouches used as packaging)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... According to Cleveland-based The Freedonia Group, demand for pouches in the United Sates will climb near 7% through 2006, representing about $4.6 billion worth of packaging, the equivalent of 79 billion units. Stand-up pouches are...

Bosch. (Bosch Packaging Technology).
March 1, 2003... When launching or relaunching a product, you have to be able to rely on commitments made to you by your suppliers. Bosch delivers your new embossing dies and sizing parts within four weeks, and the Bosch service and process engineers facilitate...

Equipment `work horses' winning the race: known for its reliable line of enrobers and moulders, A.E. Nielsen emphasizes flexibility and versatility to meet the needs of large and small confectionery customers. (International Spotlight).(Company Profile)
March 1, 2003... It's hard not to like Mads Hedstrom, the managing director of A.E. Nielsen. The sparkling eyes and ready laugh attest to his approach to life, a natural predisposition that allows him to face all that the world throws at an individual,...

Sweet profile. (Candy Wrapper).(Morley Brands LLC)(Interview)
March 1, 2003... John began his confectionery career with Brock Candy in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was plant manager. He went on to serve as vice president of manufacturing for Sweet Candy in Utah, Elmer Candy in Louisiana and Golden Stream in Indiana....

What do college students snack on? (Candy Wrapper).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... Although this question may scare some moms and dads, bringing back memories of cold pizza for breakfast, Candy Industry felt compelled to publish the real facts about what these Generation Y-ers like to snack on while hitting the books (or so...