Candy Industry articles from May 2006

Candy Industry archives from May 2006

Infused with chocolate.(Opening Shots)(Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA)'s Chocolate Symposium)
May 1, 2006... My Timex watch alarm started its irritating beep. Four a.m. came much quicker than I had expected. And even though it wasn't winter, damn, it still was dark outside. The shower helped, but I was still half asleep throwing an unironed shirt and...

Hershey reports 1Q flat sales, higher profits ...(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Hershey Co. announced its first quarter sales late last month, reporting a minimal 0.6% increase from the same period last year. Net income rose to nearly $121 million, however, compared to $113 million last year. The company said this...

... as it moves to cut total number of products.(Newsletter)(Hershey plans to expand its offerings in high-growth categories )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... While Hershey plans to expand its offerings in high-growth categories including dark chocolate, cookies and snack nuts, the company said it will reduce its total number of products by 20%-25% over the next 12-18 months. The company plans to do...

Callebaut breaks ground on Russian factory.(Barry Callebaut S.A.'s chocolate factory in Chekhov)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Zurich-based Barry Callebaut started construction last month on a 17-million euro chocolate factory in Chekhov, Russia, 60 km from Moscow. Expected to be operational by the beginning of 2007, the facility will have a capacity of more than...

Tootsie Roll eyes sugar-free.(Newsletter)(Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... According to a security analyst who attended the company's annual meeting in Virginia, Tootsie Roll Industries Inc. is very close to introducing a sugar-free version of its popular Tootsie Roll confection, as reported by Crain's Chicago...

Wrigley appoints first chief marketing officer ...(Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. promoted Martin Schlatter )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. appointed its first chief marketing officer late last month. Martin Schlatter was promoted from general manager for Wrigley's U.S. business and will be responsible for marketing the company's products...

... and releases new coffee-flavored gum.(7-Eleven Inc. introduced Doublemint Kona Creme)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Already available in 7-Eleven stores nationwide, Wrigley is testing a new coffee-flavored gum, Doublemint Kona Creme. Available for about $.99 in 17-stick packs, the gum is an offshoot of the company's Wrigley's Coffee Gum. The product only...

Ferrero adds new production line in Poland.(Ferrero Polska)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Ferrero Polska, the Polish subsidiary of Italian confectioner Ferrero, invested over 10 million euros to launch a new production line at its factory in Belsk Duzy, Poland. Ferrero Polska moved production of its Raffaello chocolates to Poland...

Illinois expands lead legislation.(food safety)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Expanding its current laws on goods containing lead, Illinois is set to become one of the first states to ban the sale of many consumer products that contain lead. Introduced by Rep. Harry Osterman, the legislation would ban the sale of several...

Core-Mark to acquire Klein Candy Co.(Core-Mark Distributors Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... San Francisco-based Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc., a wholesale distributor of packaged consumer products, announced late last month that it is in negotiations to acquire substantially all of the assets of Klein Candy Co. L.P. Based in...

Quality Candy Co. shifts management.(Al Bono to quit and Ken Margulis joined)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Henderson, Nevada-based Quality Candy Co. announced management changes last month. President and ceo Al Bono is leaving the company with company founder and chairman Pierre Redmond re-assuming that position. Ken Margulis is joining the company...

Investors battling for board elections at Topps.(Topps Company Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... According to The Deal, Pembridge Capital Management LLC, an investment firm, filed a preliminary proxy statement in mid-May proposing that New York City-based Topps hold annual elections for members of the board of directors. It, together with...

Palmer Candy Co. receives state tax benefits for expansion.(Iowa Department of Economic Development)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Sioux City, Iowa-based Palmer Candy Co. will receive tax benefits from Iowa's Dept. of Economic Development for expansion efforts involving a 12,000-sq.-ft. addition to the company's warehouse. Palmer will also hire 10 more workers and install...

Industry's chocolate cognoscenti attend CMA symposium.(NEWS)(Chocolate Manufacturers Association )
May 1, 2006... The sixth floor conference room at New York's Institute of Culinary Education was filled with many of the chocolate industry's mover and shakers, from chocolate suppliers such as Barry Callebaut, ADM, Cargill, Blommer and Guittard to chocolate...

Stephany's closes factory, retail units following exec's death.(Hal Strottman, Stephany's Chocolates)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Arvada, Colo.-based Stephany's Chocolates came to a sad end when it closed its doors late last month following the death of president Hal Strottman. The company factory and all five retail locations closed on April 19 and the First National...

Baker Perkins regains its independence.(APV Baker Inc. acquired by Invensys PLC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... APV Baker, a leading supplier of process equipment and services to the food industry worldwide, has been acquired from Invensys plc by private investors John Cowx and Brian Taylor. The new company will trade as Baker Perkins. The business...

Industry experience defines new agency.(NEWS)(Sollich North America LLC)
May 1, 2006... John Holland, co-president of newly formed Sollich North America LLC, a Tampa-based agency representing confectionery equipment and ingredient suppliers, began adding up the years: Bob Limburg, co-president, 27 years; Holland, 22 years; Graham...

Staying fit: to remain competitive as a third-generation family business, Zachary Confection's leadership team strives to combine efficient manufacturing with unsurpassed product quality. An intensified product development program assures the company meets customer needs while tapping into emerging confectionery niches.(Company overview)
May 1, 2006... Zachary Confection's Patrick Zachary says he tries to work out about five days a week. His preferred regimen? It's an aerobic program that combines lifting weights and jogging on an elliptical trainer. Of course, it does make it a bit easier to...

Eye on London.(candy industry)(Discussion)
May 1, 2006... Tourists riding one of London's most popular attractions, the London Eye, certainly get a bird's eye view of the city, not to mention an appreciation of its cultural and geographical expanse. This year's annual European Suppliers Roundtable...

A long and winding road: despite coming from a very different background, Terry Hicklin, along with his wife, Pat, have found success with their ownership of Candy House Gourmet Chocolates in Joplin, Mo.(Chocolate Trendsetter)
May 1, 2006... Although no one really knows what the future holds, most of us spend our lives planning for the road ahead. Parents enroll their children in schools they feel will help them get into college; teenagers apply to colleges they feel will help them...

All about the bean: establishing Pierre Marcolini chocolates in the United Kingdom takes passion and perseverance. Partner Deborah O'Neill has ample of both when extolling the virtues of specific cocoa beans and Marcolini's wizardry with chocolates.(Global Chocolatier)(Pierre Marcolini)(Interview)
May 1, 2006... So where does the best chocolate in world come from? Is it Belgium, French, Swiss, Italian, German, dare we say American? Ask Deborah O'Neill, a partner of Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier who has the exclusive rights to distribute the brand...

A shift to the dark side: responding to consumers' demands for new and different flavors, chocolate bar manufacturers are focusing on dark chocolates, single origin cocoa and limited edition flavors to appeal to the growing interest in upscale confections.(markets)
May 1, 2006... While traditional milk chocolate bars may never be truly replaced, American consumers are becoming more sophisticated in their chocolate bar tastes. Responding to this shift, candy companies large and small have been releasing products...

Fun and functional: the growing popularity of functional chewing gums has led gum base manufacturers to focus on products that can easily incorporate wide-ranging benefits to traditional gum flavors and textures.(trends)
May 1, 2006... Chewing gum has always been a confection of many uses. Some people chew it solely for taste, some use it as a breath freshener and others use it as an alternative to smoking. Gum base manufacturers have been noticing the demand for even more...

Globe-trotting Chocolate.(Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker Inc. introduced Kumasi Sambirano and Jamaica a l'Ancienne)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Berkeley, Calif. The Product: Kumasi Sambirano and Jamaica a l'Ancienne The Hook: These two new 3-oz. Limited Series bars feature cocoa beans from Jamaica, Madagascar and Ghana. The Jamaica...

Fizzy-flavored Frooties.(Tootsie Roll Industries Inc. introduced Lime Cola Frooties)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: Tootsie Roll Industries, Chicago The Product: Lime Cola Frooties The Hook: Tootsie Roll introduces its ninth Frooties flavor with the new Lime Cola variety. Based on the popularity of citrus enhanced beverages, the product...

Chips of chocolate.(San Francisco Chocolate Factory introduces GAIA Organic Chocolate)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: The San Francisco Chocolate Factory, San Francisco, Calif. The Product: GAIA Organic Chocolate The Hook: Adding to its current line of gourmet chocolates, The San Francisco Chocolate Factory introduces a new organic line....

The Topps Co.(new Bazooka Bubble Gum Watermelon Twist Wrap)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... As part of a nationwide re-launch of the well-known brand, New York-based The Topps Co. is releasing new Bazooka Bubble Gum Watermelon Twist Wrap. Featuring a new formulation for longer-lasting flavor and softer Chew, the individually wrapped...

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.(new Connoisseur Collection)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Selected again this year to be the official chocolate for the Academy Awards, Portland, Ore.-based Moonstruck Chocolate Co. created the new Connoisseur Collection for the celebrity presenters' and performers' gift baskets. Although the special...

Blue Q.(Candy From Strangers and Sugar Trip introduced)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Pittsfield, Mass.-based Blue Q introduces a new line of candy after the success of its gum line. Featuring colorful, humorous and original packaging, the two main products are Candy From Strangers and Sugar Trip, among many others. Candy From...

Hotlix.(Scorpion Suckers launched)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Grover Beach, Calif.-based Hotlix recently launched its new Scorpion Suckers in the U.S. Available in blueberry, apple, strawberry and banana varieties, each sucker contains a real scorpion. The company produces a number of other insect...

Candy Lovers Delight.(Candy Lovers Delight introduces Juicy Twists )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Hamburg, N.Y.-based Candy Lovers Delight introduces its new line of licorice twists. Juicy Twists are available in Blue Raspberry, Strawberry and Watermelon flavors, with each variety packed in a concession box. The packaging features bright...

Full flavor.(Cadbury Adams USA L.L.C. launched Stride)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: Cadbury Adams USA, Parsippany, N.J. The Product: Stride The Hook: Featuring Winterblue and Spearmint flavors, this new long-lasting gum hits stores this month. Both flavors are available in single and multi-packs with...

Crumbly caramel.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Caramoo Caramel Crumble Candy )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: PD3, Inc., Seattle, Wash. The Product: Caramoo Caramel Crumble Candy The Hook: Produced in Europe and distributed by PD3, Inc., Caramoo Caramel Crumble Candy features a rich, buttery caramel flavor and soft, crumbly...

Nuts for organics.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Sconza Candy Co. introduces organic toffee cashews and peanuts)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: Sconza Candy Co., Oakland, Calif. The Product: Organic Toffee Cashews and Peanuts The Hook: The newest addition to the company's Naturally, Sconza line, the new Organic Toffee Cashews and Peanuts feature whole cashews and...

Cool confection.(Perfetti van Melle launched AirHeads Berry Cool)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Company: Perfetti Van Melle, Erlanger, Ky. The Product: AirHeads Berry Cool The Hook: Released in conjunction with the movie Ice Age: The Meltdown, the new limited edition flavor features packaging with Ice Age characters. The...

Wilbur introduces sweet and spicy coatings.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Wilbur Chocolate Company Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... As part of the growing trend of combining spicy flavors with chocolate, Lititz, Pa.-based Wilbur Chocolate introduces new Hot Coats Confectionery Coatings. Available in ginger, chili and jalapeno flavors, all varieties are compound coatings and...

Chr. Hansen receives patent for color process.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Chr. Hansen Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Milwaukee, Wis.-based Chr. Hansen recently received a patent for a new process it developed that increases the total yield of curcumin from turmeric by 30% to 40%. Curcumin is the primary pigment in turmeric, which is used as a color in several...

Crispy, healthy coating.(CREATORS BRIEFS)
May 1, 2006... To help manufacturers create low-fat, low-sugar snacks, London-based Tate & Lyle launched its new Coated Snack CREATE 700. The crunchy coating can be used to create dual-textured snacks that have a light, crispy shell and are soft inside. Made...

Jockeying for the lead: A.E. Nielsen remains committed to delivering quality and reliability while simultaneously responding to marketplace demands for faster speeds and higher output.(Mads Hedstrom)(Interview)
May 1, 2006... When Candy Industry last visited Mads Hedstrom, president of A.E. Nielsen, four years ago, the then 35-year-old executive referred to the company's line of equipment as "work horses of the industry." And while that analogy still applies to...

G.W. Barth appoints Fischer to board.(Juergen Fischer appointed)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Freiberg am Neckar, Germany-based G.W. Barth AG, known for manufacturing equipment and providing process engineering solutions to the food industry for more than 100 years, appointed Juergen Fischer, the company's managing director and head of...

All-on-one chocolate processing.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)(Terrassa)(Lloveras)
May 1, 2006... The UNICOM system developed by Terrassa, Spain-based Lloveras, combines the advantages of two very different but well-proven chocolate processing system. The first is the Universal Mixing/ Refining/Conching machine, which has been used for...

New extrusion-forming technique encapsulates marshmallows.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)
May 1, 2006... Tanis Food Tec (TFT), based in Lelystad, The Netherlands, has developed a new line of equipment designed for the continuous production of encapsulated marshmallow balls. Encapsulated marshmallow balls have been a big hit in the Far East, but...

High-speed case erector.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)
May 1, 2006... The Duraformer 2 Case Erector from O/K International Corp. in Marlboro, Mass., can seal cases with tape at speeds up to 20 cases per minute. The design of the Duraformer 2 focuses on innovation and ease-of-use, providing customers with uptime...

Cooperative effort produces high-speed bagmaker.(Innovations in Packaging)
May 1, 2006... Decatur, Ga.-based Kliklok-Woodman sold its first Evolution, ultra-high speed bagmaker to Olmarc Packaging, Chicago, for that company's contract packaging needs. According to Ken Marchetti, president of Olmarc Packaging "We choose the Evolution...

New flow-wrap pack style.(Innovations in Packaging)(Sigpack Systems)
May 1, 2006... Sigpack Systems, with offices in Europe and the United States, has devised a new pack style for stacked products that enables faster and more flexible flow wrapping of stacked products such as biscuits. The new O-Carton, flow-wrap pack style...

CEMOI pack wins OPPack Award.(Innovations in Packaging)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... A French candy maker was among the six winners of ExxonMobil Chemical Films 2005 OPPack Awards, which recognize excellence and innovation in flexible packaging and labelling in Europe. Chosen in Luxembourg by an independent jury of...

Ultrasonic sealing technology for horizontal flow-wrappers.(Innovations in Packaging)
May 1, 2006... Thanks to a cooperative effort between Cavanna Spa and Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik GmbH, the two companies have developed a horizontal flow pack wrapping machine--dubbed Flowsonic--that uses ultrasonic longitudinal and transversal sealing. ...

Tackling food safety critical issues.(Food Safety Summit 2006)
May 1, 2006... The 2006 Food Safety Summit brought together thousands of food processors, retailers, foodservice and government personnel along with more than 180 exhibitors for the most important food safety show in North America. The roster of keynote...

Sweet profile.(CANDY WRAPPER)(Interview)
May 1, 2006... Having grown up in western Pennsylvania, James Mulholland followed a career path known to many in the area: Big Steel. "Fresh out of the University of Pittsburgh, I joined U. S. Steel at their Clairton Works, he explains. "There I baked...