After all, the Brazilian producer of hard and soft candies, caramels, lollipops, gummies, chewing gums and cereal bars, was experiencing a 15% annual growth rate, one that reflected gains both in domestic as well as export markets. 

Having established itself as an adroit exporter of confections back in 1973 - it was the first Brazilian confectionery company to do so - Riclan was quick to adapt to the necessary product standards expected from international buyers, particularly from the world’s single largest market, the United States.

Riclan’s executives Mario Schneider and Oswaldo Grissotto, descendants of founders Mario Schraider and  Irene Grisotto Teixeira, understood the importance of manufacturing prowess, of investing in automation and the latest processing and packaging technology to not only establish a beachhead in exporting, but guarantee a gateway for continued, sustainable growth. 

Their decision to build a 183,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing complex in downtown Rio Claro about 100 northwest of Sao Paulo in 1972 underscored a commitment to the future, one that’s being repeated today. 

Riclan’s third generation looks to build on that commitment established several decades ago by pursuing the same kind of farsighted investments. It’s in this manner that a 66-year-old tradition of producing branded and licensed confections that sweeten consumers lives in Brazil and abroad can continue.   

As a result, in August 2006, the company began construction of a new warehouse on the acreage it purchased three years earlier. Upon completion of the warehouse in June 2007, construction began on a new production facility. The following year in May, the company installed the first of six hard candy production lines within the new 204, 514- sq.-ft.- plant (19,000 sq. meters). The sixth hard candy line just went into production this past August. 

Today, the company produces a variety of candies, including its Freegells Candy Stick product, Freegells Double Twist, Pocket Candy (in pillow pack, coffee flavor and some fruit flavors varieties) and Sugarless Freegells, which come in a new flip-top box. Despite current projections from the Brazilian confectionery association showing sugar confections falling off and chocolate consumption increasing, Ivan Schraider, director of domestic operations and Mario’s son, sees continued strong sales growth domestically and abroad. 

Noting that Riclan was the first company in Brazil to produce cough candy with the Frigells brand, a brand that’s evolved to being one of the leading “drops” candies in the category, Ivan expects the same kind of new product innovation to stimulate double-digit sales gains. Last years, sales reached $130 million. 

Currently, branded sales comprise 60% of all revenues, with private label accounting for the remainder. Licensed confections account for a substantial portion of the company’s business – it is the largest licensee of confections in Central and South America – and the company continues to pursue only the most popular connections, such as Barbie, Hello Kitty, Hot Wheels, High School Musical, The PowerPuff Girls and Speedo. Exports, which have continued to grow since 1973 and encompass 50 countries, now account for nearly 30% of the company’s revenues. Antonio Roumualdo Da Silva, international business director for the company, projects a 20% growth rate during the next three years. 

Part of the success story behind Riclan’s dynamism revolves around new product rollouts as well as continued improvements in manufacturing efficiency, which keeps the company competitive in Brazil and overseas. 

This year, the company will launch 20 new products featuring new flavors, formats and formulas. Some of the new rollouts include Croc, juice-filled bubble gum, Freegells oral mints in Deep Blue and Polar flavors, Freegells hard candy with cream fillings, Bubble Gum Kits (Barbie and Hot Wheels) which feature one bubble gum, two sticks of gums and one tattoo, Freegell Artic breath strips and My Toffee in chocolate and strawberry flavors. The focus on new product development dovetails with added emphasis on boosting efficiency and trimming manufacturing costs. 

“Since the installation of processing lines in our $15-million plant, efficiency has improved 8% and productivity 10%,” says Ivan. Part of those efficiency and productivity gains stem from increased operating space and improved product flow. The company has also received SGS certification for its facilities and has been audited by Mattel, Inc. for the past 15 years as an approved supplier. 

Currently, plans call for a new $1-million confectionery line to go on-stream early next year. By 2013, all of the company’s six production lines at its original manufacturing complex in downtown Rio Clara will have moved to the new manufacturing complex, which will be expanded accordingly. 

That’s when the company believes  it will be time to shift into yet another higher gear.