Candy & Confectionary

Highlights

People on the Move

Godiva Integrated Into Pladis, Names Steve Lesnard CEO

April 10, 2024
Godiva has been owned by Yildiz Holding since 2008, and Yildiz created Pladis, home of United Biscuits and DeMets.
Courtesy of Evolved
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People on the Move

Evolved Chocolate Brand Appoints New CEO, Refreshes Brand

April 9, 2024
Joe Serventi, credited with successful brand scaling projects over the years, joins the company, bringing more than two decades of food and beverage industry experience with him...
Candy & Confectionary

Blommer Chocolate Co. to Close Legacy Chicago Processing Plant

March 25, 2024
Blommer Chocolate Co. today announced that it will close its Chicago processing facility — the company’s original manufacturing plant, which opened in 1939...
Courtesy of Mars
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R&D

Mars Opens R&D Innovation Studio in Hackettstown, New Jersey

March 21, 2024
More than $70 million investment includes a test kitchen, packaging lab and collab space — and also improves processing plant’s efficiency and food safety efforts.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Sugar Foods Acquires Concord Foods

March 11, 2024
The two processors manufacture a wide variety of food products for retail, foodservice and private label customers, from candy apple kits to crunchy toppings and beverage ingredients...
Candy & Confectionary

Organic Chocolate, Truffle, Snack Manufacturer Alter Eco Foods Acquired

Feb. 2, 2024
Investment firm Trek One Capital has purchased the company, which sells its products in organic/natural retail grocery channels in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand....
Mergers & Acquisitions

Shelf-Stable Foods Processor Saco Foods Acquired by Fengate Private Equity

Jan. 22, 2024
The investment firm will retain CEO Tom Walzer in the purchase from Benford Capital Partners.
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R&D

Mars Opens Global Research and Development Hub in Chicago

Jan. 18, 2024
The 44,000-square-foot, $42 million facility will help the company achieve its goal to double its snacking business in the next decade, the company says.
Candy & Confectionary

CBS News: Children Still Working for Mars Inc.’s Ghana Cocoa Suppliers

Nov. 30, 2023
Children as young as 5 were found harvesting cocoa for Mars suppliers in Ghana; CBS News claims chocolate company has failed to verify its moves to eradicate child labor in its...
Courtesy of Haribo
Haribo America
Candy & Confectionary

Haribo Opens its First North American Gummi Processing Plant; Unveils New Goldbears Variety

July 28, 2023
The new Pleasant Prairie, Wis., facility is expected to focus its production on the company’s Goldbears and expand capacity in the near future to meet demand.
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Mergers & Acquisitions

Ferrara Candy Co. to Acquire Brazilian Candy Maker Dori Alimentos

July 25, 2023
Acquisition of family-owned processor of a large stable of candy and sweets brands in Brazil expected to close later this year.
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Worker Safety

NTSB: Crack in Retired Gas Service Tee May Have Led to R.M. Palmer Chocolate Plant Explosion

July 19, 2023
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation reveals crack in service tee retired from service in 2021, but not disconnected from the natural gas supply.
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"Seattle: Theo Chocolate Factory Tour"
Mergers & Acquisitions

Theo Chocolate to Merge with American Licorice Company

July 12, 2023
Seattle-based organic and fair-trade chocolate maker will join ALC and shut down Seattle manufacturing facility in the third quarter of 2023.