Candy Business articles from January 2003

Candy Business archives from January 2003

Too many aisles. (Editorial).(hypermarkets vs. local retailers)(Editorial)
January 1, 2003... * I TRY TO BE AN informed consumer, I really do, but I confess to having a serious handicap when it comes to doing my part to boost the consumer spending numbers in this limping economy. It's not that I'm cheap (ask anyone at my local audio...

Big-three hike wholesale prices. (News).(Nestle USA, Hershey Foods Corp. and Masterfoods USA )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... CLEVELAND -- Pointing to increases in raw material, employment and transportation costs, Nestle USA, Hershey Foods Corp. and Masterfoods USA have raised wholesale candy prices as much as 10.8 percent. The increases mark the first time the...

Roquette to expand maltitol production. (News).(Roquette America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... KEOKUK, IA -- Roquette America, the U.S. subsidiary of Roquette Freres, is expanding the hydrogenation capacity and crystalline maltitol production of its Keokuk Specialty Production Facilities. The expansion is targeted for completion in...

Tray-Pak invests in new plant. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... READING, PA -- In efforts to better serve its customers, Tray-Pak Corp. has opened its new thermoforming plant here. The new plant expands Tray-Pak's capabilities to produce samples and prototypes, as well as housing inline thermoforming...

Hershey realigns senior sales force. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... HERSHEY, PA -- Hershey Foods Corp. has made a number of high-level changes to its sales and marketing functions in recent months, beginning with the announcement that Milt Matthews, vice-president, chief customer officer, will retire in...

Strong fourth quarter boosts Wrigley profits. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. reports record shipments, sales and earnings for both the fourth quarter and the full year. Global sales increased to more than $2.7 billion, up $345 million or 14 percent from a year ago. The increase...

LMC names regional sales manager. (News).(John Molinaro )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ELMHURST, IL -- LMC International appoints John Molinaro to the position of regional sales manager. Based in Indiana, he will be responsible for the Northeastern and Midwest regions of the U.S., as well as Eastern Canada and the Maritime...

Madelaine buys Fiesta, plans expansion. (News).(Fiesta Nut and Confection Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ROCKAWAY BEACH, NY -- Madelaine Chocolate Novelties, Inc. purchased the assets of Fiesta Nut and Confection Corp. and announced it would relocate and expand Fiesta's panning operations to accommodate expected growth. Fiesta makes such panned...

Schebler buys Sweet Systems. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... BETTENDORF, IA -- The Schebler Co. has acquired Sweet Systems International (SSI) of Morganton, NC. The acquisition includes SSI's total operations including its line of belt coaters, polishers and chocolate molding lines. Terms of the...

Cadbury acquires Adams. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... LONDON -- Cadbury Schweppes PLC is acquiring Pfizer Inc.'s Adams division for $4.2 billion, vaulting the chocolate powerhouse into the number two position in the world chewing gum market behind the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Four power brands...

Beta Brands names president, COO. (News).(Gary Musick)(Stephen Hummel)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... LONDON, ONTARIO -- The board of directors at Beta Brands Inc. appoints Gary Musick president, replacing John Lambert, who resigned as president, COO and company director. Musick is responsible for sales and marketing of Beta's confectionery and...

New sugarfree chocolate offers added benefits. (News).(Wilbur Chocolate Co. Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... LITITZ, PA -- New calcium-fortified sugarfree chocolate formulations from Cargill Inc.'s Wilbur Chocolate Co. Inc. arc said to provide a number of consumer benefits previously unavailable to makers of sugarfree chocolates. Two formulas, one...

Farley's & Sathers to shutter Brooklyn plant. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ROUND LAKE, MN -- Farley's & Sathers Candy Co., Inc. will close its Brooklyn, NY production facility at the end of March. The company will provide severance pay to eligible employees and is working with a number of local entities to provide...

Kraft confectionery sales slide. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... NORTHFIELD, IL -- Kraft Foods Inc. says volume for Kraft Foods North America's Biscuits, Snacks and Confectionery operations were up 0.7 percent last year with an operating revenue increase of 2.2 percent. While income for the unit's...

Hershey enters sugarfree sector. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... HERSHEY, PA -- Hershey Foods Corp. debuts sugarfree versions of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures, Hershey's Chocolate, Hershey's Chocolate with Almonds and Hershey's Dark Chocolate. The company says the items, set for a late March rollout,...

William Stark dies. (News).(former owner of Stark Candy Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ASPEN, CO -- William Stark, former owner of Stark Candy Co., died near here after falling from a bridge on January 25. The 75-year old Stark, a life-long outdoorsman and adventurer, is believed to have taken his own life rather than face the...

U.S., Canada to allow label health claims. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Confectioners interested in promoting good-for-you products will likely be updating packaging, the result of changes to labeling laws in the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration relaxed regulations for food...

NCA to revamp Marketplace. (News).(National Confectioners Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... VIENNA, VA -- The National Confectioners Association is taking the operation and management of eCandy Marketplace in-house, having severed its ties to Enverta, the company which developed the system. Changes being made to the online service...

Just Born buys Goldenberg. (News).(Goldenberg Candy Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... BETHLEHEM, PA -- Just Born, Inc. enters the chocolate market with the purchase of Philadelphia's Goldenberg Candy Co., maker of Peanut Chews and Chew-Ets. Just Born signed a letter of intent to acquire the regional manufacturer for an...

Ontario to impose package recycling fees. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... TORONTO -- Companies with consumer goods sales in Ontario, Canada, of $2 million or more will soon be required to pay fees based on the weight of the packaging sold in the province. The fees will reportedly be used to help offset expenses of...

Hispanics named dominant minority, opportunity for confectioners. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show 13 percent of the population of 284.8 million on July 1, 2001, was of Hispanic origin, surpassing the African American population for the first time. This marks a prime...

NCA, CMA reorganize, expand. (News).(National Confectioners Association, Chocolate Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... VIENNA, VA -- The National Confectioners Association and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association are refining their structure in order to better meet the needs of each organization. The two groups, which have been united since the early 1980s,...

Grupo Bimbo to sell Wrigley gum. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... MEXICO CITY -- With sights set on increasing its market penetration in Mexico, the Win. Wrigley Jr. Co. has struck an official distribution deal with Grupo Bimbo. Through the alliance, Bimbo's Barcel subsidiary becomes the exclusive...

Longtime broker Richard Antonucci passes. (News).(Obituary)
January 1, 2003... BRADENTON, FL -- Retired owner of Cleveland-based R.L. Antonucci & Associates, Richard Antonucci, died January 20 after a long battle with cancer. He was 74. A member of the National Confectionery Sales Association, Antonucci was inducted...

Candy sales hit $6.6 billion in 2002. (News).
January 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Candy sales hit $6.6 billion in 2002, an increase of slightly more than one percent when compared to 2001 results, according to Information Resources, Inc. The data for food, drug and mass channels (excluding Wal-Mart) for the...

DuPont, Bunge form joint venture to produce specialty ingredients. (News).(Solae L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... WILMINGTON, DL -- Solae LLC is the new joint venture company being formed by DuPont and Bunge Ltd. to manufacture and market vegetable proteins, soy concentrates and isolates and specialty lecithins to the global protein and functional...

Kathryn Beich goes solo. (News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... BLOOMINGTON, IL -- Former Nestle USA division, Kathryn Belch, is now an independent company with exclusive rights to distribute Nestle branded confections through the fundraising channel. Nestle will continue to produce candy for Kathryn...

Industry takes obesity initiatives. (News).
January 1, 2003... CLEVELAND -- Candy and chocolate makers are taking an active role in helping develop workable solutions to U.S. consumers' well-publicized "obesity epidemic." Masterfoods USA and Kraft Foods North America are supporting efforts to take...

PMCA Production Conference slated. (News).(April 28-30)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... HERSHEY, PA -- Suppliers are lining up to present their products and services to more than 900 of the world's top confectionery scientists and technicians expected to attend the PMCA's 57th Production Conference in Hershey, PA, April 28 to 30....

FONA builds new facility. (News).(Flavors of North America, Inc. )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... CAROL STREAM, IL -- Flavors of North America, Inc. (FONA) has broken ground for an 80,000-sq-ft facility to include flavor development, application and prototype creation labs, a culinary center and training areas. Located in Geneva, IL,...

SPI upgrades maltitol analysis capabilities. (News).(SPI Polyols Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... NEW CASTLE, DE -- With sugarfree sales continuing to outperform the sector, SPI Polyols, Inc. is upgrading its in-house Applications Development lab to better serve the needs of producers of sugarfree items. To better characterize...

Dulce De Leche candy wins honors. (News).(Productos Alimenticios Santillana, Ltd. wins 'Best Candy in the Western Hemisphere')(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... MIAMI -- Colombia-based Productos Alimenticios Santillana, Ltd. has won the first "Best Candy In The Western Hemisphere" product award. The winning product, Arequipe Dulce De Leche, is a creamy caramel candy in small packs. The award was...

Inside Zachary: Zachary Confections' hometown appeal translates into steady growth for this all-American candy maker. (Special Report).
January 1, 2003... FACING STIFF COMPETITION as large manufacturers intrude on its traditional seasonal market, Zachary Confections, Inc. has struck back by offering a substantial everyday line, which includes more than 15 chocolate items and, most recently,...

The year ahead. (Industry Developments).(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2003... Consolidation is squeezing companies as global market pressures forge far-flung alliances and at-home merger activity. CandyBUSINESS examines the competitive influences, opportunities and public issues expected to shape the industry in 2003....

Sugarfree update. (Special Report).(sugarfree candy product trends, sweeteners)
January 1, 2003... IN 2002, THE SUGARFREE chocolate sector in the U.S. was legitimized by new entries into the market by major manufacturers, including Ilershey Foods Corp., Nestle USA and Wilbur Chocolate Co. Inc. While sugarfree candy as a whole has been...

Surprise developments: Ludo, LLC exercises entrepreneurial spirit developing its newest interactive item, Creature Treat Surprise. Company president Jay Pearlman reveals the product's progression from concept to retail. (Product Development: Ludo).
January 1, 2003... YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN Jay Pearlman at last year's All Candy Expo, the first show with his year-old company, Cleveland-based Ludo, LLC. Even if you didn't see him, you know the type. He's at one of those tiny booths without attention-getting...

Eight styles, one wrapper. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * SWEET MAGIC is a custom-built foil wrapper capable of producing multiple wrap styles for moulded and enrobed chocolates. According to Ray Cote, sales manager, American Chocolate Mould Co., Inc. (right), the new machine from Nuova Fima...

CFS, Bainbridge gear up for U.S. packaging market. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * NETHERLANDS-based Convenience Food Systems (CFS), makers of Aquarius lollipop systems and packaging machines, introduces four models of SmartPacker V/F/F/S machines designed specifically for confectionery applications. Previously available...

LMC, Dhiman team in North America. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * THE FIRST PRODUCT introduced to the NAFTA market as a result of LMC International's strategic marketing agreement with India's Dhiman Industries is the co-branded LMC/Dhiman DP-10 Automatic Pillow Wrap machine. According to LMC President...

Daimer Steamer cleans without chemicals. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * THE STAINLESS steel KleenJet Steamer Ultra by Daimer Industries, Inc. generates pressure as high as 90 psi and temperatures to 310[degrees] F without the need for special hoses or connections. The system is said to destroy salmonella...

World's thinnest metallized films debut. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * AT PACK EXPO, candy makers were able to evaluate several new films from Toray Plastics (America), Inc. designed to minimize costs and enhance shelf appeal. Torayfan PCF is the company's new high barrier metallized OPP film designed as a...

Sonoco debuts packs, coating, promo technologies. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * SONOWRAP RIGID single-wrap packs are said to be the only hermetic-shaped packages of their kind in North America. Two sizes are available - 91 x 68 x 61mm/197ml single-serve oval-shaped pack and 110 x 97 x 178mm/1080ml tapered style. The...

Next-gen inserter debuts. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * THE DPI Coupon Inserter from the EPI division of Exact Packaging, Inc. operates at speeds of up to 275 ppm, utilizing a rotary knife to separate promotional pieces. For use with most V/F/F/S machines, horizontal wrappers and cartoners, the...

Robocaser for high-speed case packing. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * HI-SPEED Cheekweigher Co., Inc. introduces the 300 bpm Robocaser, designed for ease packing flexible bags. The pick-and-place machine is designed to pack bags, pouches and other flexible packs into cartons and trays. A nesting option is also...

Rovema takes V/F/F/S back to basics. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * INTRODUCED at PackExpo, the Intermittent Motion VPI-260 B V/F/F/S from Rovema Packaging Machines. LP is designed for those seeking a simplified, more economical machine for the production of heat sealable pillow bags. Featuring...

Biodegradable film for twist, trays. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * NATUREWORKS PLA, a compostable packaging material made from lactic acid derived from corn, is available from Cargill Dow LLC for twist and flow wrap applications, as well as for use as labels, film over wraps and forming rigid trays. ...

Weighing, measuring solutions from Thermo-Electron. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * Thermo Goring Kerr, a Thermo Electron Corp. business; introduces the Goring Ker DSP IP metal-detection said to be impervious to pressure washdown environments. Designed to scan metallic and non-metallic packaging for metal contaminants,...

Low-cost case packer debuts. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... PACKING AS MANY as three cases at once while operating at up to 90 bpm, the FP500 Flexible Pouch Case Packing System from Wepackit Inc. is said to meet the needs of small and midsize candy makers. With a footprint of 48-by-72-in, the stainless...

Reclosable pouch from Kapak. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * QUADPAK side-gusset standup pouches made with Pactiv Corp.'s Hefty EZ-Slider zippers, EZ- Zip zippers or tear-notch seals are from Kapak Corp., manufacturer of preformed pouches and roll stock. Said to be suitable for dry food products and...

Shuttleworth rolls out conveyors. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * SHUTTLEWORTH, INC. debuts six SmartFeed segmented roller conveyors designed to interface with all wrapping machines. The conveyors can be incorporated into new machinery applications where they can be controlled from the wrapper, or they can...

Miniature rollers ease product development. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... MINI DROP Rollers from Eastern Design and Development Co. (EDDCO), part of The Purcell Co., are designed for use in pilot plants and low-volume production applications. According to the company's Ralph Carfagno, the transportable tabletop...

Bosch flow wrapper sorts, wraps. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * BOSCH PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, Food & Confectionery introduced the BVK 0030 EK flow wrapper at Pack Expo. Designed with an infeed system that sorts products by color and then wraps them in sequence, the unit features throughput speeds ranging...

Proportional Gate increases packaging efficiencies. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * HEAT AND CONTROL, INC.'S Revolution Proportional Gate works with the company's Fastback conveyors to adjust the amount of product diverted from one conveyor to another. The discharge gate is designed to keep main product supply flowing while...

New films, label technology from AET. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... TOPPCURE IS Applied Extrusion Technologies. Inc.'s (AET Films) recently introduced system that enables die-cut labels made from the company's transparent, white opaque or metallized OPP films to be applied using modified cut and stack labeling...

Metal detector for film, metallized packs. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... * SAID TO REPRESENT the most advanced metal detection technology available, the MET 30+ 3f, from Lock Inspection Systems, Inc., is designed to inspect both poly wrapped products and those using metallized films. Mark D'Onofirio, general manager...

Second generation sorter premieres. (New Product News).
January 1, 2003... PRISM2 IS THE next generation of Key Technology's Prism sorting technology, said to have the same capacity levels as earlier versions but in a shorter, narrower footprint and with an updated body design for use in wet environments. ...

Searching out the next great idea. (Publisher's Note).(reasons why U.S. candy makers attended ISM tradeshow in Cologne)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... * PRE-ISM SHOW canvassing revealed that threats of war against Iraq were not affecting U.S. candy manufacturers' Cologne travel plans. CandyBUSINESS sources suggest that while U.S. candy maker attendance at last year's ISM in Cologne was...

International confectionery trade. (Resource Center).(US sugar confectionery imports by type and country of origin; cocoa exports by country of destination)(Illustration)
January 1, 2003... * SUGAR CONFECTIONERY U.S. imports of sugar confectionery continue to be dominated by Canadian and Mexican sources, with the UK running a distant third. Trend watchers should take particular note of the growing tide of imports originating from...