Candy Industry articles from November 2005

Candy Industry archives from November 2005

Bravo!(Opening Shots)(European Candy Kettle Club winner)
November 1, 2005... Yes, that yours truly and Dee Wakefield, our European marketing manager, applauding the announcement that Bente Brevik was chosen this year's European Candy Kettle Club winner. In addition, the photo also symbolically portrays my delight in the...

Kraft to possibly separate from parent company.(Kraft Foods Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Kraft may soon be spun off into a separate company. Altria, the largest American cigarette maker and controlling shareholder of Kraft, may try to unlock shareholder value by turning Kraft Foods and Philip Morris into separate companies. The...

Callebaut opens new Calif. facility.(Newsletter)
November 1, 2005... Zurich-based Barry Callebaut unveiled its new $20-million chocolate factory in American Canyon, Calif. late last month. The 150,000-sq.-ft. production facility features lines for the manufacture of approximately 27,500 tons of solid chocolate...

Sweet and savory snacks added to 2007 All Candy Expo.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... In response to retailers' and wholesalers' needs, the National Confectioners Association's Board of Trustees voted to adopt the global definition of confectionery products to determine what may be displayed at the annual All Candy Expo....

Sugar producers announce plans for new refinery.(Cargill Sugar North America, Louisiana Sugar Cane Products Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Cargill Sugar North America plans to join forces with Louisiana Sugar Cane Products, Inc. (LSCPI) to build a million-ton-per-year sugar refinery at Cargill's Terre Haute Marine Facility in Reserve, La. LSCPI will provide the entire raw sugar...

ADM announces new cocoa processing facility.(Newsletter)
November 1, 2005... Decatur, Ill.-based Archer Daniels Midland Co. announced plans this month to build a new cocoa-processing plant in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The company is currently in the process of selecting a site and expects the...

Ferrero products now found at Aldi.(P e C Ferrero S.p.A., ALDI Group)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Italian confectioner Ferrera signed a deal with the world's biggest discount supermarket chain to supply the chain with its chocolate products. Seven of Ferrero's brands will now be said in Aldi stores in Germany. Previously Aldi chose to use a...

Blommer cited for cocoa dust emissions.(Newsletter)
November 1, 2005... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cited the Blommer Chocolate Co.'s Chicago plant earlier this month for violating limits on opacity, or the amount of light blocked by the factory's grinder dust. After a neighbor complained about the...

Ghirardelli ups cocoa content in baking chocolate.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Improving its already popular dark baking chocolate, San Leandro, Calif.-based Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. announced a formula change that includes higher cocoa content. The Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar and Bittersweet Chocolate Chips now...

Fanny May opens both seasonal and permanent locations.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Preparing for increased demand with the coming holiday season, Fannie May Candies opened their 50th retail store earlier this month in Mount Prospect, Ill. Located at 201 S. Main St., the first 50 customers to the store received a 1-lb. box of...

Company introduces chocolate line with herb blends.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... A new range of Swiss chocolate bars was introduced by Orgasmic Chocolates this month. Launched in the UK, these bars contain organic and Fair Trade-certified cocoa beans and herbs to produce a mellowing effect. Different blends of Chinese herbs...

Gertrude Hawk launches new Web site.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Together with Pipeline Interactive, Dunmore, Penn.-based Gertrude Hawk Chocolates launched a new company Web site. The site was restructured to provide greater integration with company stores in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Sections...

New study reveals how taste buds react to sugar.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... According to a study conducted by The University of Manchester and The University of Maryland School of Medicine, a low-calorie sweetener that tastes exactly like sugar could be just around the corner. The study measured for the first time how...

Wrigley continues expansion into the new year; with several new product releases and two new facilities, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. continues the expansion it began last year with the acquisition of several Kraft brands.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Just five months after finalizing their acquisition of confectionery brands from Kraft Foods, Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. continues to expand and grow, preparing to release eight new products in January 2006. The new products, which...

Philly Show seminars in Atlantic City a winner for confectionery attendees.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... The Philadelphia National Candy, Gift and Gourmet Show, will offer free educational programs during January 8-10, 2006 at its first show in Atlantic City. A schedule and detailed descriptions of each seminar are listed. Sunday, January 8,...

Loders Croklaan opens new plant in Illinois.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Loders Croklaan, a leading and innovative producer of oils and fats, christened its new oil processing factory in Channahon, Ill. in early November. The addition to the company's Channahon facility expands the existing plant by 10,000 sq. ft.,...

Hawaiian Host promotes key executives.(Dennis Teranishi, Keith Sakamoto, Dennis Maeda)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Honolulu-based Hawaiian Host, Inc., announced the following promotions involving its management team: Dennis Teranishi to vice chairman and chief executive officer; Keith Sakamoto to president; and Dennis Maeda to executive vice Teranishi...

Strategic moves; through a series of opportunistic as well as strategic acquisitions, Alpine Confections has become one of the most dynamic chocolate companies in North America, earning it Candy Industry's Manufacturer of the Year award.(Strategic moves)(Cover story)(Company overview)
November 1, 2005... Call it the Murray-Taiclet Opening. Unlike most chess moves, the first forays in this approach involve taking advantage of opportunities as they manifest themselves on the board rather than setting out in a planned attack. Only upon...

From 'lady boss' to turnaround queen: in propelling Nidar to become Norway's leading confectionery company, managing director Bente Brevik has demonstrated it's possible to grow a business despite flat consumption rates and zero-growth demographics.(International Profile)
November 1, 2005... Perhaps if the idea had come from anyone other than a "lady boss," it would have been rejected. And while creating a "jelly woman" with breasts wasn't necessarily a shocking idea in Norway (this is Europe, after all), it's unlikely a male...

Norwegian nocturne.(The 2005 European Candy Kettle Club Award Reception)
November 1, 2005... The local Norwegian folk choir began the festivities with several beautiful traditional songs, setting an elegant tone for that night, September 23, in Trondheim, Norway. As members of the European Candy Kettle Club committee walked into the...

Some things never change; despite updates in equipment and a new, expanded plant, fourth generation-owned Abdallah Candies remains committed to making candy the old-fashioned way.(Chocolate Trensetter)(Company overview)
November 1, 2005... Old-school business managers stress, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." While many candy companies fervently search for the latest and greatest to try to outwit competitors, there are a few that remain successful by staying with the old...

Not your parents' chocolate bar: manufacturers experiment with new flavors and higher cocoa percentages to come up with a new class of chocolate bar.(Category Closeup: CHOCOLATE BARS)
November 1, 2005... Remember when a chocolate bar was just a chocolate bar? When caramel, nuts and nougat were the most unusual ingredients one could find? Today's chocolate bars still prominently feature chocolate, but in many ways that's the only similarity they...

Embracing the dark side: spurred by new studies and customer demand, chocolate and cocoa producers have responded with a bevy of new dark chocolate products.(Candy R&D: TRENDS & APPLICATIONS IN INGREDIENT TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2005... Chocolate has been in the news more than ever over the past several weeks, with a constant stream of new studies and products touting the recently discovered health benefits of the traditional confectionery ingredient. These headlines have led...

Colorful confections.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Psychedelic Sours Fruit-Flavored Jawbreakers)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Company: Sconza Candy Co., Oakland The Product: Psychedelic Sours Fruit-Flavored Jawbreakers The Hook: This large, multi-colored candy features the classic jawbreaker design with a 70's twist. The outer neon green shell has...

Nutty nougat.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Company: Mary Sue Candies, Baltimore The Product: Pecan Nougat Log The Hook: To satisfy the need for a good quality, mass-produced nut log, Mary Sue made their own, using #1 fancy grade pecans, buttery caramel and a fluffy nougat...

A nod to the past.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Beeman's, Black Jack and Adams Sour gum)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Company: Cadbury Adams USA LLC The Product: Beeman's, Black Jack and Adams Sour gum The Hook: To celebrate the 135th anniversary of the introduction of modern chewing gum in America, Cadbury Adams is releasing some of their classic...

Chocolate Bar.(introduces Retro Bar line)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Reliving flavors of the past, New York-based Chocolate Bar introduces their Retro Bar line. Inspired by boardwalk candy, state fairs and local soda shops, each bar features a favorite from the past with a modern twist. Flavors include PB&C...

Jelly Belly Candy Co.(launches new flavor candy)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Starting in January 2006, Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy Co. launches a new Flavor. Consumers are invited to try to guess the new flavor for opportunities to win up to $250,000 in prizes. Those who want to participate can enter...

Endangered Species Chocolate Co.(At a glance)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Just in time for the holiday season, Indianapolis, Ind.-based Endangered Species Chocolate Co. releases their new Holiday Treats. The bags of individually wrapped chocolate squares are available in milk and dark chocolate varieties made with...

The Topps Co. Inc.(At a glance)
November 1, 2005... Adding to their current line of Ring Pop flavors, New York-based The Topps Co., Inc. released new Ring Pop Space Gems. Made with real fruit juice, the line includes Star Gazer Grape, Wild Planetary Cherry, Star-Berry Watermelon, Blue Raspberry...

Mark Avenue Chocolates.(intriduces new chocolate candy)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Dunmore, Penn.-based Mark Avenue Chocolates, a subsidiary of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, has a new product for the holiday season. Their milk and dark assorted chocolates are now available in a 12 Days of Christmas package, featuring twelve...

Straight from the tropics.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Tiki Head Candy)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Company: Candy Planet, Pinellas Park, Fla. The Product: Tiki Head Candy The Hook: These tropical candies come packaged in tiki head-shaped plastic tubes and contain hard candy and candy syrup in strawberry, pineapple and watermelon...

Candy bar alternative.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Healthyroads Snack Bars)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Company: Healthyroads, Inc., San Diego, Calif. The Product: Healthyroads Snack Bars The Hook: Available in Almond Raisin, Apple Cinnamon, Peanut and Cranberry Crunch flavors, every variety is 100% certified organic and contains no...

New fruit ingredient released by SVZ.(CREATORS BRIEFS)
November 1, 2005... Cosun company SVZ recently introduced their new product, Verifruit, with an official release scheduled at Fi Europe. Verifruit is a new fruit ingredient that has many of the same properties of fresh fruit, including color, juiciness and...

Nutrinova features Sunett's benefits at Fi Europe.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... During this year's Fi Europe show, Germany-based Nutrinova plans to highlight how sweetener technology can make finished products healthier. By holding beverage taste tests, the company will demonstrate how different blends of Sunett, a...

Consumers embrace almonds in new products.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Almond Board's 2005 consumer research shows consumers' positive view of almonds, leading to a doubling of the annual per capita consumption over the past five years. Of those surveyed, 90% agreed that almond-enhanced products have a better...

Moscow trade fair the leading packaging platform for Russian, Eastern markets.
November 1, 2005... The upcoming UPAKOVKA/ UPAK ITALIA is set to drive home its position as the ultimate platform for packaging technology on the Russian market. Through December 13-16, more than 300 exhibitors will set up shop at the Upakovka/Upak Italia trade...

Bohler-Bindler: meeting the demand for versatility, compactability.
November 1, 2005... Based on a simple and intuitive menu guidance system, the Article Configurator, the product-oriented operating concept of Buhler-Bindler's VersiShot depositor enables confectioners to create a multitude of chocolate confections using one...

A.E. Nielsen:: latest generation moulding lines address marketplace needs.(Company overview)
November 1, 2005... As one of the leaders in the market for chocolate enrobers and cooling tunnels, Farum, Denmark-based A.E. Nielsen has been driving innovation for the past 50 years. Today, the company manufactures and markets chocolate enrobing machines and...

Aasted-Mikroverk: specializing in innovative, high-quality chocolate machinery.(Company overview)
November 1, 2005... Having produced chocolate production machines and moulding lines for nearly 90 years Aasted-Mikroverk is among the leader's in quality and performance. Rooted in Copenhagen, it's understandable that the uniqueness and the simplicity of...

ISM 2006: confectioners from around the globe congregate in Cologne.(36th International Sweets and Biscuits Fair)
November 1, 2005... For four days--from January 29 to February 1, 2006--the confectionery sector will be at the center of attention in Cologne, Germany, as visitors from all of the world visit the 36th International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM). Around 1,600...

Lloveras: delivering reliable innovation.
November 1, 2005... Lloveras' philosophy in designing a chocolate moulding line focuses on integrating all steps critical to chocolate tablet and bar production in a manner that maximizes product variety. This enables the manufacturer to turn out as broad a range...

Bosch Confectionery & Chocolate: complete production, packaging lines from one reliable partner.(Company overview)
November 1, 2005... Bosch Confectionery & Chocolate, a business unit of Bosch Packaging Technology, encompasses the entire competency behind Bosch, Hansella, Makat, Sapal and Togum. These five brands combine tradition and reputation totalling more than 300 years,...

Hass-Mondomix: ensuring variety and flexibility.
November 1, 2005... Drawing upon years of development and its extensive field experience, Ea Almere, Netherlands-based Mondomix continues to add innovation and flexibility within the marshmallow and aerated products sector. The company recently installed a number...

F.B. Lehmann: chocolate and cocoa processing--at its finest.
November 1, 2005... Aalen, Germany-based F.B. Lehman produces complete confectionery lines for chocolate, compound, fillings, coatings, fat binders, chocolate articles, nut pastes and chocolate spreads. Full-scale cocoa processing plants are designed and...

Winkler und Dunnebier: triple-shot depositing enhances capabilities.
November 1, 2005... The name WDS--Winkler und Dennebier Susswarenmaschinen GmbH--stands for more than 90 years of corporate development, high quality design and state-of-the-art production facilities, a combination of experience and quality that's enhanced through...

DT&G: engineering quiet, high-output coaters, polishers.
November 1, 2005... In existence for more than 30 years, the DTG Finn Coater produces greater outputs in shorter timescales and with much less noise than the traditional panning methods. The company's belt panning technology is used to engross various...

Caotech: latest developments increase options, output.
November 1, 2005... Caotech b.v., based in Wormerveer--the Netherlands, has a worldwide reputation as a specialist in self-developed ball mills and conches within the cocoa and chocolate-related processing sector. The technical staff of Caotech b.v. combines both...

Klockner Hansel Processing GmbH: delivering sweet competency.
November 1, 2005... Klockner Hansel, which supplies worldwide tailor-made lines to ensure the effective production of successful products, has developed key innovations within the industry, such as the CrossFlow and JellyStar, both of which belong to a complete...

SOLLICH & CHOCOTECH: perfect partners for bar processing.
November 1, 2005... For many years now, the name CONBAR, which means continuous bar processing equipment, has been known for flexibility and reliability. SOLLICH has developed this unique technology by combining more than 30 years of know-how and experience....

Dumoulin: specializing in panning innovations for more than 50 years.(Dumoulin)
November 1, 2005... In business more than 50 years, Dumoulin, located in Tournan-En-Brie, France, has specialized in panning equipment for the past 25 years, also lending a hand in the candy and chocolate industry as well. Dumoulin developed the first...

Carle & Montanari: technological developments enhance flexibility, output and sanitation.
November 1, 2005... Carle & Montanari -- worldwide leaders in chocolate moulding technology --and now part of the Sacmi group, are pleased to present their more recent developments: the V-Pack 2 project in chocolate wrapping; and a new generation of loose moulding...

Tanis Food Tec: removing boundaries to innovation.(Tanis Food Tec)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Tanis Food Tec, based in Lelystad, Netherlands, has been a household name with both bakery and confectionery manufacturers for more than three generations now. In close cooperation with our customers, Tanis Food Tec provides made-to-measure...

MacIntyre Chocolate Systems/Petzholdt Heidenauer: acquisition bolsters capabilities, technologies.
November 1, 2005... MacIntyre Chocolate Systems and Petzholdt Heidenauer (who are both part of the Ladco Group) have enjoyed a fruitful first year working together. Strengthened by the purchase of Petzholdt Heidenauer in 2004, MacIntyre Chocolate Systems--as part...

Fast Track Engineering: engineering superior products via experience, innovation.
November 1, 2005... Fast Track Engineering, a new Australian company, was created to provide the confectionery industry with new ideas and opportunities in the manufacure of soft-boiled candies. The company aims at improving day-to-day operations while creating a...

Theegarten-Pactec: developing solutions for the future.(management of Theegarten-Pactec GmbH & Co KG)
November 1, 2005... Theegarten-Pactec, which came into existence as a result of the merger between Rose-Theegarten in Cologne, Germany, and Pactec in Dresden, Germany, in 1994, is well-known throughout the confectionery industry. The company has maintained its...

Knobel: modular thinking develops into modular design.(Knobel Confiseriemaschinen AG)
November 1, 2005... In developing its moulding-lines, stand-alone depositors and devices, Knobel has embraced modular design. This enables confectionery manufacturers to build a complete line in steps, thus allowing the operations department to upgrade capacities...

Economical, efficient f/f/s packing unit.(seal machines from Parsons Eagle Packaging Systems)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Parsons-Eagle Packaging Systems, a Division of Campbell Wrapper with facilities in De Pere, Wis. and Oakland, has introduced a new Phaser XP vertical form/fill/seal machine that combines simple operation with high performance at a low cost. The...

Printer streamlines packing during peak season.(Gladstone Candies buys ink jet printer from Loveshaw Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Gladstone Candies, a producer of sticky snowman-shaped suckers, black "coal" (i.e., old-fashioned rock candy), and giant red pops based in Hummels Town, Pa., purchased the industry's first self-contained, two-line ink jet printer from Loveshaw,...

Richard Milker joins Just Born.(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Formerly with Kellogg's Co. and Masterfoods, Richard Milker has joined Bethlehem.Pa.-based Just Born. Inc. as its director of research & development, technical services and consumer relations. Milker will direct the company's initiatives to...

Scaling a new peak.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Alpine Confections' owners, Dave Taiclet (left) and Taz Murray (right) receive Candy Industry's Manufacturer of the Year Award from Editor Bernard Pacyniak during Stagnito Communications' Top Gun Executive Food & Beverage Conference, which was...

Fast-forwarding to next-generation mogul, finishing technology.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)
November 1, 2005... With decades of experience in the confectionery industry, Fast Track Engineering Pty. Ltd. delivers what end-users demand--superior technology and uncompromised service. After fire destroyed Blueberry Hills Foods' jumbo mogul, the company chose...

New technology offers chocolatiers independence, efficiency.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)
November 1, 2005... Eaton, Pa.-based Netzsch Fine Particle Technology, LLC, a leading provider of wet and dry grinding technologies for the food processing industry, has developed new chocolate processing technology for chocolatiers: the ChocoEasy line of...

Stainless-steel conveyors right on target.(Dorner Manufacturing's new sanitary conveyors)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Dorner Manufacturing's patented designs and construction techniques ensure that the company's newest series of sanitary conveyors will meet the needs of the confectionery, snack, bakery and protein markets with confidence and reliability. ...

Bulk bag unloader features variable flow rate.(Vibra Screw, Inc. introduces bulk bag unloader)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Totowa, N.J.-based Vibra Screw, Inc., a leader in solids processing and solids handling solutions, has introduced a variable flow rate bulk bag unloader designed to provide an efficient and continuous discharge of material from bulk bags with...

Sweet profile.(interview of Jim Flessor)(Gayety's Chocolates and Ice Cream Company)(Interview)
November 1, 2005... As a third generation family-owned company, Gayety's in Lansing, Ill. has a long and rich tradition of making chocolates that dates back to the 1920's. Typical of most family-run companies, Jim Flessor began his career by doing errands and...

A test of sweets trivia.(Eat It! Snacks & Sweets Trivia Game)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Looking for something unique and fun for a holiday gift'? Eat It! Snacks & Sweets Trivia Game may be the answer. This new board game features trivia about yummy food categories including chocolate, candy, cookies, ice cream, desserts and...