Candy Business articles from November 2002

Candy Business archives from November 2002

Safer chewing. (Editorial).
November 1, 2002... * REMEMBER THAT authority figure who, no matter how hard you tried, you could never please? In my case, it was a health teacher who harped incessantly about ear safety. "Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear," was his...

Ivorian clash continues, cocoa supply uncertain. (News).
November 1, 2002... ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE -- As unrest continued in Cote d'Ivoire, the fate of cocoa supplies remained uncertain. At press time, Cote d'Ivoire rebels reportedly rejected a proposal to stop fighting, threatening to disrupt exports. Cocoa...

Blommer roasting operations underway. (News).
November 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- Blommer Chocolate Co. has resumed production at its Chicago facility after a fire in May 2001 destroyed the building housing the roaster. Production has restarted after installation of two Buhler STT-6 indirect fire roasters....

Atkinson Candy acquires Long Boy line. (News).
November 1, 2002... LUFKIN, TX -- Atkinson Candy Co. has purchased the Coconut Long Boy name and production equipment for American Candy Co.'s line of twist-wrapped coconut caramel chews. The price of the deal was not disclosed. The item, which American...

Wilbur buys Peter's Chocolate. (News).
November 1, 2002... LITITZ, PA -- The Wilbur Chocolate unit of Gargill, Inc. has purchased Peter's Chocolate from Nestle USA. The acquisition reportedly makes Wilbur the top U.S. supplier of chocolate to the industry. The purchase price of the deal, which...

Hershey sheds new light on Times Square. (News).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Hershey Foods Corp. redefined the Times Square experience in late October with the official lighting of a 215-ft tall sign. Featuring a whimsical rendition of the original Hershey chocolate factory, the 60-ft-wide,...

Concord acquires American's wax works. (News).
November 1, 2002... CONCORD, ONT -- Dubble Bubble-maker Concord Confections, Inc. has purchased the wax candy division of Selma, AL-based American Candy Co. for $3 million. Production of such items as Nik-L-Nip wax bottles, Magic Sticks tubes and Fun Gum wax lips...

Wal-Mart to open more than 300 stores in U.S. (News).
November 1, 2002... BENTONVILLE, AR -- WalMart Stores, Inc. says it will open as many as 55 discount stores and up to 70 Supercenters in the U.S. during 2003. Including expansions and relocations, the company announced as many as 210 new Supercenters will debut...

Ford Gum opens distribution center. (News).
November 1, 2002... LINCOLNSHIRE, IL -- Ford Gum & Machine Co. has opened a new warehouse and distribution center. The facility enables Ford to double the size of its sales and marketing offices and also houses a bulk vending cash 'n carry outlet. Ford's...

EU rules of origin to clarify exports. (News).
November 1, 2002... GENEVA -- European manufacturers might soon be able to define chocolate items as originating from the country where they are made. This would change policies in some countries under which manufacturers label by the origin of raw ingredients....

New cacao selections offer higher yields. (News).
November 1, 2002... MAYAGUEZ, PUERTO RICO -- New selections of cacao released by scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service could offer higher yields and better fungal disease resistance. At the ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) in...

Swiss, Swedes lead in candy consumption. (News).
November 1, 2002... BRUSSELS -- Switzerland and Sweden topped world candy consumption in 2001 for the second year running, according to data issued this month by Caobisco, the trade organization for the European Union confectionery and biscuit industry. The...

Yorkshire Moulds Ltd. (News).
November 1, 2002... Caption: The former Yorkshire Moulds Ltd. has been acquired out of receivership by a management buyout team. The new company, Yorkshire Moulds UK, is headed by three Yorkshire veterans and two newcomers. The team is Andy Hinsley; Gordon...

Key-Pak machines do double duty. (News).
November 1, 2002... LEBANON, NJ -- Two new high-speed V-Series Flat-Bottom Bag v/f/f/s packaging machines from Key-Pak Packaging Systems can be equipped to pack both reclosable stand-up bags and standard pillow pouches. Based on a cantilevered machine design...

High-oleic peanut plantings to increase. (News).
November 1, 2002... ALEXANDRIA VA -- About 25 percent of this year's peanut crop will consist of a high-oleic peanut hybrid said to offer a number of advantages to manufacturers of peanut, items, including significantly extended shelf life. Howard Valentine,...

Gift basket Symposiums slated. (News).
November 1, 2002... PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA -- Thomas Catanese & Co. will present the 78th Confection Business and Gift Symposium at the Penn State University Malvern Campus on January 11. The 79th Symposium will be presented in New York City on February 3. At...

Tray-Pak earns gold standard certification. (News).
November 1, 2002... READING, PA -- Thermoformed packaging manufacturer Tray-Pak Corp. has been recognized by the American Institute of Baking (AIB) with the group's superior rating certificate. The Quality Certification program is designed to enhance product...

Bainbridge, CFS team for U.S. packaging, pop markets. (News).
November 1, 2002... GRANDVILLE, MI -- Bainbridge Assoc. now represents CFS SmartPacker v/f/f/s packaging equipment and Aquarius lollipop production systems from The Netherlands-based CFS Weert B.V. (Convenience Food Systems). Ross Bainbridge, president of...

Trans Fat label rules expected in 2003. (News).
November 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- In its "Letter Report on Trans Fatty Acids, FDA's Next Steps," the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (NAS) says consumers need to limit the amount of trans fats in their diets. While citing a relationship...

White chocolate identity set by FDA. (News).
November 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration has established a standard of identity for white chocolate, effective January 1, 2004. The rule provides a common name for products made from cocoa butter, milk solids, nutritive carbohydrate...

Just born names CFO. (News).
November 1, 2002... BETHLEHEM PA -- Ronald J. Izewski is now chief financial officer at Just Born, Inc. Joining the company in 1995 as vice-president of finance, Izewski is responsible for all aspects of the company's finance, information technology and long-term...

Brach's expands U.S. chocolate production. (News).
November 1, 2002... CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Brach's Confections, Inc. is adding a new chocolate line at its Jersey Pike facility which will increase the plant's annual production capacity by 20 million pounds. According to the company, this represents a 40 percent...

Archibald emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (News).
November 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- Archibald Candy Corp. has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The majority of the company's debtors agreed to a plan that would convert $170 million in debt into $50 million in secured debt with most of the balance being converted...

Food industry veteran named NutraSweet CEO. (News).
November 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- Lawrence S. Benjamin is now chief executive officer of The NutraSweet Go., the world's largest producer and marketer of aspartame and the developer of Neotame, a new sweetener and flavor enhancer approved by the FDA this summer. ...

Cadbury bars debut with nutraceuticals. (News).
November 1, 2002... LONDON -- Cadbury Ltd.'s Boost bar line is reportedly the UK's first mass-market chocolate bar with added nutraceutical ingredients. The 60.5-gram (2.13-ounce) bars are available in two varieties: guarana, which Cadbury claims can outperform...

ACNielsen U.S. expands its Convenience Track Service. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... ACNielsen U.S. expands its Convenience Track Service, adding sales results from c-stores operated by ExxonMobil...

Dandy A/S, the Denmark-based former chewing gum manufacturer. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... Dandy A/S, the Denmark-based former chewing gum manufacturer, has changed its name to Gumlink. Having sold its chewing gum brands and production to Cadbury Schweppes, the company will concentrate on consulting services and chewing gum label...

Pop Rocks, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Zeta Espacial SA. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... Pop Rocks, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Zeta Espacial SA, has taken over U.S. distribution of Pop Rocks from Chupa Chups USA...

Candy Plus. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... Perfetti van Melle sold its confectionery plant in Gyal, Hungary, near Budapest, to the Hungarian subsidiary of Czechoslovakia-based Candy Plus, which also acquired Hungarian distribution rights to van Melle's Frutella, Mentos and Alpenliebe...

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker celebrated its fifth year in business in October...

Enstrom Candies, Inc. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... Enstrom Candies, Inc., Grand Junction, CO, has upgraded its web site for improved navigation and ordering ease...

PMMI's Pack Expo Las Vegas. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... PMMI's Pack Expo Las Vegas will feature a 100,000-sq-ft Material Pavilion showcasting plastics, resins, films, glass, metal and other packaging materials...

Stonehedge Farms Inc. (Worth Mentioning).
November 1, 2002... Stonehedge Farms Inc., said to be the largest producer of caramel corn in the U.S., was awarded a 2002 Governor's Export Excellence Award by PA Gov. Mark Schweiker.

Going global: consider taking your brands global to capture emerging markets. (Exclusive Report).
November 1, 2002... OPPORTUNITIES EXIST for small and mid-sized manufacturers looking to extend their global reach as domestic markets are slimmed by consolidating mass retailers and the growing dominance of large manufacturers. Not surprisingly, importing and...

Wal-Mart's Melton: focused on the customer. (Retail Profile).
November 1, 2002... When making a purchase decision, Wal-Mart's Cassondra melton asks herself: 'is it a value to the customer? are they going to see it as a value? is it actually a good quality product at the best possible value?' WAL-MART STORES, INC.'s...

Product development: reducing the risk. (Special Report).
November 1, 2002... THERE WAS A TIME in the not so distant past when the catchphrase "think outside the box" was the anthem of marketing gurus. Companies were on a quest for the next big thing -- one product guaranteeing a place in innovation history. Perhaps...

Scales: weighers/counters. (Buyers' Guide).(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2002... BUYERS' GUIDE SCALES: WEIGHERS/COUNTERS * Candy BUSINESS presents a guide to weighers and counters available from leading suppliers worldwide. To ensure accuracy, we work closely with suppliers to obtain the most up-to-date...

Made in Mexico. (Special Report).
November 1, 2002... DURING A TOUR of three Mexican candy facilities earlier this year, CandyBUSINESS discovered expansive, modern facilities, plant improvements and aggressive market plans all developed to further growth into the U.S. market. Monterrey-based...

Genetic labeling controversy heats up: consumer concerns regarding the benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified foods is forcing the GMO labeling issue to a head. (Special Report).
November 1, 2002... WHILE FRONT PAGE furor over "Frankenfoods" has calmed, the debate now swirling around the use and labeling of genetically modified food ingredients is gaining steam. Most notably, recent regulatory proposals in the U.S. and the European Union...

Calendar.
November 1, 2002... * THIS CALENDAR IS PROVIDED AS A SERVICE TO OUR READERS AND CandyBUSINESS ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS AND TO SUBMIT EVENTS, PLEASE VISIT www.candybusiness.com JANUARY 2003 JANUARY 2-8 RCI WINTER...

Caught between. (Publisher's Note).
November 1, 2002... * ROCKS AND OTHER HARD PLACES might just seem comfortable to NCA board members as they reluctantly consider letting snack items into the All Candy Expo. At first glance, the matter might seem to be a clear-cut case of inviting foxes to...

Succession planning strategies. (Resource Center).
November 1, 2002... MOST HEADS OF FAMILY-OWNED candy companies probably familiar with the phrase: "Less than one-third of family businesses survive into the second generation, and fewer than 13 percent survive into the third generation." But few owners seem to...

Australian radio. (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... TALK ABOUT PRODUCT placement. On Australian radio there's a hit single, "Get Your Juices Going," by a group calling itself Starburst. Does Masterfoods mind? Nah -- it's their idea. The lyrics were written by the company's ad agency and the...

Ad Age's Pop Culture Survey of 300 agency execs and marketers. (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... ACCORDING TO Ad Age's Pop Culture Survey of 300 agency execs and marketers, the majority prefers chocolate "alone or as an ingredient" as their favorite snack. I also can't help but praise their choice of favorite tech tool -- Apple's Power Mac...

Ragold's Rainer "Robo" Schindler. (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... SO WHO'S THE most wired candy exec? The smart money's on Ragold's Rainer "Robo" Schindler. A recent in-flight survey of Rainer's digital toys yielded: one cell phone, two laptops, one digital camera, one video camera, one PDA, one writing...

A Judge in Lorain. (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... A JUDGE IN Lorain, OH, had a unique sentence for an admitted thief, who pleaded guilty to knocking down a 10-year-old last Halloween and stealing his candy. The 23-year-old not only had to wear a sign on Halloween that said, "I'm sorry. I will...

Starbucks stores. (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... STARBUCKS After Coffee Mints, available only at Starbucks stores, are stylish, 0.5-ounce tins with a hefty SRP of $1.95. That's all well and good, except for the PR claim that Starbucks is "the creator of the power mint category." Give me a...

Warning! (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... WATCH OUT FOR LOOTERS at the 2003 All Candy Expo! While bags are now banished from the show floor, greed will drive determined looters to find new ways to steal as many "samples" as they can. Be on the lookout for beady-eyed, "sample"-happy...

Jeers & Cheers. (Confidential).
November 1, 2002... JEERS To Hannah Foods, makers of Gummy Bear Cookies. There's no candy in them, not even gummi flavors! CHEERS To Pfizer Inc. CEO Hank McKinnell for brushing aside wild speculation about bids for the company's Adams subsidiary....