Candy Industry articles from November 2006

Candy Industry archives from November 2006

Go figure.(Opening Shots)
November 1, 2006... In between monitoring Halloween sales, fourth-quarter budget projections, travel and entertainment costs, sugar and cocoa bean fluctuations, and the price of gasoline, confectioners may have noticed another significant numerical milestone--U.S....

Hershey purchases organic chocolatier.(Newsletter)(The Hershey Company, Dagoba Organic Chocolate)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... In an effort to expand into the growing premium chocolate segment, the Hershey Co. acquired Ashland, Ore.-based Dagoba Organic Chocolate, LLC. Organic chocolate's rise in popularity prompted the purchase of Dagoba, a maker of high-quality...

Dynamic Chocolate purchases House of Brussels brand, assets.(Newsletter)(Dynamic Chocolates, House of Brussels Chocolates Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Dynamic Chocolates, a subsidiary of Dynamic Confections (formerly known as Alpine Confections) and a producer of seasonal and boxed chocolate varieties, announced that it acquired the House of Brussels brand and related assets. Keith Elliott,...

Jelly Belly to buy Ben Myerson Candy Co...(Newsletter)(Jelly Belly Candy)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy Co. signed an agreement to obtain Ben Myerson Candy Co.'s candy manufacturing and trade name assets. Myerson Candy, a licensee of Sunkist confectionery products, manufactures the Christopher line of...

... And spin off two brands to Adams & Brooks.(Newsletter)
November 1, 2006... Los Angeles-based Adams & Brooks, Inc. acquired Good News and Big Cherry from Jelly Belly Candy Co., which recently purchased Ben Myerson Candy Co. The chocolate bar brands, originally produced by Christopher's, were purchased by Myerson Candy...

Wrigley names new ceo.(Newsletter)(Wrigley Company appoints William Perez )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Wrigley announced that William Perez will succeed Bill Wrigley Jr. as the company's new ceo. The appointment marks the first time the company has enlisted someone outside the Wrigley family to be president and chief executive. Perez's past...

Olam and ADM make joint purchase.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Olam and ADM jointly purchased Cameroon-based cocoa processor Usicam, splitting the acquisition equally. Olam, a Singapore-based cocoa supplier, and ADM, the world's largest cocoa processor, plan to upgrade Usicam's cocoa bean processing plant...

Mars discontinues M-Azing varieties.(Newsletter)(Masterfoods USA)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... After spending $39 million in media since the M-Azing candy bar debuted in August 2004, Masterfoods USA plans to discontinue all but one variety of the bar, which embeds M&Ms into a chocolate bar. According to Information Resources Inc., the...

Cloetta Fazer's managing director and ceo resigns.(Newsletter)(Cloetta Fazer AB, Karsten Slotte )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Cloetta Fazer, the Nordic region's leading confectionery company, announced that its managing director and ceo Karsten Slotte resigned. Slotte said he wished to move back to Finland for personal reasons. Slotte relocated to Sweden in 2000 after...

Fannie May opens Chicago stores.(Newsletter)(Fannie May Confections Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Fannie May Confections Inc. opened a 3,400 sq.-ft. flagship store in downtown Chicago at a site that formally housed the company's 800 sq.-ft. store. Fannie May, which went bankrupt in 2004, was bought by 1-800-Flowers.com in April. The new...

Lake Champlain Chocolates makes short move.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Burlington, Vt.-based Lake Champlain Chocolates moved its packaging, warehousing and shipping departments to a new 47,000-sq.-ft. location. The short move was just down the street from the company headquarters. The new building also utilizes...

Hawaiian Host now available in China.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Honolulu-based Hawaiian Host announced that its products will be available in China this fall. Nanpu Food Co., Shanghai's largest food and candy distributor, will manage all Hawaiian Host sales and distribution. Though some Chinese airports...

Cocoa strike ceases in Africa.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Strikes organized by cocoa farmers in the Cote d'Ivoire were called off to give the government more time to meet the farmers' demands. The strikes, which began in October, called for stronger financial support for growing co-operatives. The...

Philly Candy Show bests last year's attendance, exhibits.(CANDY NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Although it may be a difficult concept for those outside the candy industry to grasp--hosting the Philadelphia National Candy Gift & Gourmet Show in Atlantic City, N.J.--confectionery insiders obviously like the concept. According to...

CocoaBella creates 'greatest box of chocolates'.(CANDY NEWS)
November 1, 2006... A rosemary-infused rainbow colored caramel from Kansas City, a chocolate-encased fig stuffed with an almond and a sliver of lemon from Italy, an almond praline chewy caramel from France and a milk chocolate almond cluster from San Francisco...

Sealed (and stamped) with a Kiss.(CANDY NEWS)(The Hershey Co. has deal with Postal Service)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... To commemorate Hershey's Kisses' 100th Birthday, the Hershey Co. teamed up with the U.S. Postal Service to create the "With Love and Kisses" stamp. The commemorative stamp, which is set to arrive at post offices in mid-January 2007, features an...

Marich Confectionery adds warehousing space.(CANDY NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... With the recent addition of 20,000 sq. ft. of storage space, Hollister, Calif.-based Marich Confectionery Co.'s headquarters facility, which encompasses manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and administrative offices, now totals 75,000 sq. ft....

Jim Hutchins joins Hillside Candy.(People)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Hillside Candy has appointed industry veteran, Jim Hutchins, as its vice president of sales. Hutchins will oversee sales for Hillside's Golightly sugar free, GoNaturally 100% natural and Hillside Sweets lines. "Jim brings more than 25 years of...

Varick Enterprises, Crosio & Associates to jointly represent Lloveras.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... East Boston, Mass.-based Varick Enterprises, Inc., has teamed up with Crosio & Associates in Atlanta to jointly represent S.A. Martin Lloveras Co. in North America. Terrassa, Spain-based Lloveras manufactures chocolate processing equipment...

Industry mourns Russ Albers' passing.(CANDY NEWS)(Obituary)
November 1, 2006... Russ Albers, longtime Jelly Belly Candy Co. executive, died on November 13, following complications from a broken leg and subsequent surgery. The well-respected confectionery executive had spend nearly half a century in the industry, working...

IFF separates flavors and fragances business units.(Supplier News)(International Flavors and Fragrances Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... New York City-based International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. announced it will reorganize itself into two separate business units on January 1,2007, thus better reflecting its day-to-day operations. Hernan Vaisman and Nicolas Mirzayantz will...

Bell Flavors promotes Olson to head national sales.(Supplier News)
November 1, 2006... Northbrook, Ill.-based Bell Flavors and Fragrances has promoted Dominic Olson from regional sales manager to national sales manager. Olson, who started his career with the company in its research and development flavor labs, has been with Bell...

Erv Klein joins Sollich North America team.(Supplier News)(Sollich North America LLC)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Tampa-based Sollich North America LLC has hired Erv Klein as an independent sales associate. Klein spent 28 years in the chocolate and confectionery business, starting with Werner Lehara (Baker Perkins) in Grand Rapids, Mich., holding various...

Spreading its wings: Axel Oberwelland, winner of this year's European Candy Kettle Club award, recognizes that continued growth for family-owned August Storck KG lies in leveraging the company's mega brands. The key, however, is to do so in a disciplined, market-by-market approach.(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... They're referred to as Storckians, sometimes even called Storckies. With more than 4,500 strong spread out amongst 47 countries, they form the nucleus of Berlin-based August Storck KG, a $1.5-billion, family-owned confectionery business that...

Westphalian wonderland.(Axel Oberwelland awarded European Candy Kettle Club award )
November 1, 2006... The Hotel Klosterpforte (top right) adjoins the doors of an 800-year-old monastery in Marienfeld, Germany. The monastery, founded by the Zisterzienser monks, had developed during Middle Ages to become one of the most important orders in...

Chocolate tango: in typical Argentinean tango style, Baruch Schaked and his son, Edgar, have "abrazando" or embraced chocolate, passing along their passion to 35 franchisees as part of the Schakolad Chocolate Factory concept.
November 1, 2006... A man walks into a chocolate shop. He's stressed, frantic and in desperate need of urgent assistance. The owner at the counter immediately sees his distress and asks about his problem. The man confesses that he forgot his wife's birthday and...

Organic's allure: the organic confectionery market grew 45% this year, vastly overshadowing growth gains in conventional candies. Now everyone wants a piece of the hottest trend in the food industry, but how long will organics stay hot remains a mystery.(Special Report: ORGANIC CONFECTIONERY MARKET)
November 1, 2006... Health, convenience and product premiumization are the marketing mantras of the organic confectionery world. Organic candy is now available to suit any occasion and price. Consumers can now choose premium products such as organic truffles,...

A little help from Mother Nature: from almonds to acai berries, more manufacturers rely on natural inclusions to add nutrition and a bit of sophistication to traditional confections.(Candy R&D: TRENDS & APPLICATIONS IN INGREDIENT TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2006... Though more and more consumers today are keeping an eye out for nutrition, that doesn't mean they have abandoned their desire for indulgence. Manufacturers' willingness to include natural products to further enhance the health value of a...

Autumn inspiration.(NEW PRODUCTS)(The 2006 Fall Collection, chocolate truffles)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE COMPANY: Joseph Schmidt Confections, San Francisco THE PRODUCT: The 2006 Fall Collection THE HOOK: In the spirit of the fall season, Joseph Schmidt Confections released its Fall Collection. New truffle flavors and designs comprise...

Vermont Valentines.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Grand Heart Valentine Box)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE COMPANY: Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington, Vt. THE PRODUCT: Grand Heart Valentine Box THE HOOK: Lake Champlain Chocolates recently introduced its chocolate gifts for Valentine's Day. This year's selection includes Heart-Shaped...

Signature Chocolates by Rena.(At a glance)(Chocolates a la Carte introduces Gourmet Truffle Pop collection)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Continuing its reputation creating innovative, fun high-quality chocolate products, Valencia, Calif-based Signature Chocolates by Rena, the retail line of Chocolates a la Carte, launched its Gourmet Truffle Pop collection. The creative...

The Hershey Co.(At a glance)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Hershey Co.'s new Twizzlers Rainbow Twists offer a brightly colored and fruity take on the traditional licorice favorite. The colorful spectrum of well-known twists come in Strawberry, Orange, Lemonade, Watermelon, Blue Raspberry and Grape...

Chocolates Turin.(At a glance)(Chocolates Turin S.A. de C.V. introduces chocolate candies)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Mexico-based Chocolates Turin, in an agreement with Diageo, will now produce a premium Baileys Irish Cream-filled chocolate. The new line will feature both alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions of the popular dairy cream and Irish whiskey...

Madelaine Chocolate.(At a glance)(Madelaine Chocolate Novelties introduces Snowman Pops)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Rockaway Beach, N.Y.-based Madelaine Chocolate introduced new Snowman Pops to their established Christmas chocolates and novelties line. Made of premium, solid milk chocolate, each pop comes wrapped in a shiny foil wrap with a cartoon snowman...

B.T. McElrath.(At a glance)(B. T. McElrath Chocolatier intorduces chocolates)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Based in Minneapolis, B.T. McElrath introduced a new line of artisan chocolates especially for the holidays. Champagne, Magdalena and Cafe Latte truffles now accompany the popular Berry Poinsettia chocolates. The Champagne truffles feature a...

Big-bite bark.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Dark chocolate bark)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE COMPANY: Fantasy Candies, Lyndhurst, Ohio THE PRODUCT: Dark chocolate bark THE HOOK: Fantasy Candies Chocolate Factory introduced a new dark chocolate bark line. The bark, made of all-natural 72% dark chocolate and dried fruits and...

Nougat nutrition.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Enriched natural dietary fiber chew)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE COMPANY: Sankom, The Woodlands, Tex. THE PRODUCT: Enriched natural dietary fiber chew THE HOOK: Manufactured in Switzerland, Sankom's individually wrapped dietary fiber nougats pack unique health benefits, including one gram of...

FDA approves pearl-effect colors.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... EMD Chemicals Inc., the North American specialty chemicals affiliate of Germany-based Merck KGaA, recently began marketing Candurin Pearl Effect Colors. The announcement came shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Candurin...

Partial fat replacer for cocoa butter.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Eberbach, Germany-based GELITA developed Instant Gel Schoko, which replaces up to 39% of cocoa butter and thereby reducing overall fat content by 25%. Manufacturers continued to struggle when removing fat from chocolate because of the sensory...

Palatinit develops successful sugar substitute.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Palatinit of America )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... With a growing demand from the health food industry to create more sugar alternatives, Mannheim, Germany-based Palatinit created Isomalt. This innovative sugar replacer specifically tailors to sugar-free and sugar-reduced applications, while...

Sweet profile.(David Bidwell of Bon Bons Confectionery)(Biography)
November 1, 2006... When David Bidwell, president Of Alpharetta, Ga.-based Bon Bons Confectionery, talks about how he became involved in chocolate, the conversation always begins with Lydia Olsen. "When you try one of Lydia's truffles you know you are eating...