Look out candy companies! Some of you are getting gobbled up by other candy companies like Pac Man.
After its seventh acquisition since January 2014, BBX Sweet Holdings has made its debut in the North American Sweet 60. BBX’s most recent acquisition was Kencraft Candy/Dynamic Confections, of Utah, after the first of the year. The Fort Lauderdale subsidiary of BBX Capital also snatched Jer’s Chocolates, Hoffman’s Chocolates, William & Bennett, Helen Grace Chocolates, The Toffee Box and Anastasia Confections over the last 18 months.
This isn’t the only change in Candy Industry’s North American Sweet 60 lineup, which names top confectioneries headquartered in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
For one, last year’s No. 7 Russell Stover Candies Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., which posted annual sales of $640 million, was bought out during the summer by Chocoladenfabriken Lindt & Sprungli of Switzerland. Since the North American Sweet 60 only includes companies headquartered on the continent, Russell Stover, a subsidiary of Lindt & Sprungli, will now only appear in the Global Top 100.
The same is true for last year’s No. 49 SweetWorks, of Buffalo, N.Y., which had projected sales of $37 million. It was acquired last year by Chocolat Frey, of Buchs, Switzerland. SweetWorks is famous for such brands as Nerds, Oak Leaf Gum and Niagara Chocolates.
Other acquisitions, which didn’t change the line-up, include the purchase of Harry & David last fall by 1-800-Flowers.Com, of Carle Place, N.Y., which also owns Fannie May andHarry London candies. This has increased their workforce to 2,800 in the confectionery segment of the business, as well as more than doubled sales to $325 million.
Hershey Foods Corp. significantly increased its workforce by acquiring Ontario’s Allan Candy Co., Shanghai Gold Monkey Food Joint Stock, and Krave Pure Foods to 20,000 this year, up from 14,000. Even with its divesture of Mauna Loa Macadamia, Hershey increased sales to almost $7.4 billion.
Novelty and licensed-candy company CandyRific purchased HILCO Corp., outside of Philadelphia in 2014, and expects to increase its sales this year, although by how much it was hesitant to say. HILCO, which sells its novelty candy products to discount stores, had annual sales of around $12 million. Projections call for the company’s sales to rise to nearly $20 million this year.
This represents the second year for the North American Sweet 60, a resource that provides a benchmark for analysis. It’s also a way to get some of the smaller companies from North America to be recognized, given the higher sales entry point in Candy Industry Magazine’s Global Top 100 listing, published each January.
Editor’s Note: All sales, plant and employee estimates are for confectionery operations only, unless otherwise noted. In addition, Candy Industry Magazine has attempted to factor out industrial chocolate sales and plants. All estimates come from a combination of manufacturer surveys, annual reports, media reports, private and published research, and analyst interviews. The North American Sweet 60 is a “work in progress,” one that many times involves making estimates when companies refuse to share their specific data. If there are any oversights or incorrect estimates, please fill free to contact Candy Industry Magazine’s editor Bernie Pacyniak at pacyniakb@bnp.com so we can adjust the listing for next year.
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60. Palmer Candy Co., Sioux City, Iowa
Plants: 2
Employees: 100
Chief Officer: Marty Palmer, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $19
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum;
59. Madelaine Chocolate Co., Rockaway Beach, N.Y.
Plants: 1
Employees: 100
Chief Officer: Jorge Farber, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $20
Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates;
58. Anthony-Thomas Candy Co., Columbus, Ohio
Plants: 1
Employees: 180
Chief Officer: Joe Zanetos, pres., Greg Zanetos & Tim Zanetos, VP
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $21
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
57. Asher's Chocolates, Sudenton, Pa.
Plants: 2
Employees: 200
Chief Officer: Robert Asher & John Asher, co-chair; Jeff Asher & David Asher, partners
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $22
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
56. Astor Chocolate, Lakewood, N.J.
Plants: 2
Employees: n/a
Chief Officer: David Grunhut
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $23
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops);
55. Enstrom Candies Inc., Grand Junction, Colo.
Plants: 1
Employees: 150
Chief Officer: Doug Simons, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $25
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
54. Atkinson Candy Co., Lufkin, Texas
Plants: 1
Employees: 225
Chief Officer: Eric Atkinson, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $35
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
53. KLN Family Brands, Perham, Minn.
Plants: 2
Employees: 200
Chief Officer: Kurt Nelson, COO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $36
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Panned Chocolates; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans;
52. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Durango, Colo.
Plants: 1
Employees: 160
Chief Officer: Franklin Crail, chair & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $36
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
51. Ganong Bros., Ltd., St. Stephen, New Brunswick
Plants: 1
Employees: 370
Chief Officer: Bryana Ganong, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $37
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
50. Adams & Brooks, Los Angeles, Calif.
Plants: 3
Employees: 200
Chief Officer: John Brooks Sr., pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $38
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
49. Zachary Confections, Frankfort, Ind.
Plants: 1
Employees: 250
Chief Officer: Jack Zachary, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $39
Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
48. Ford Gum & Machine Co., Akron, N.Y.
Plants: 1
Employees: 90
Chief Officer: George Stege, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $40
Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
47. Sarris Candies Inc., Canonsburg, Pa.
Plants: 2
Employees: 500
Chief Officer: Athena Sarris, CEO & Bill Sarris, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $45
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
46. Original Gourmet Food Co., Salem, N.H.
Plants: 2
Employees: 150
Chief Officer: Richard Alimenti, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $45
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans;
45. BBX Sweet Holdings, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Chief Officer: Jarett Levan, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $48
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
44. Justin's, Boulder, Colo.
Chief Officer: Justin Gold, founder
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $49
Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
43. Arway Confections / Long Grove Confectionery, Chicago
Plants: 2
Employees: 125
Chief Officer: Craig Leva, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $50
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
42. CandyRific, Louisville, Ky.
Plants: n/a
Employees: 17
Chief Officer: Robert Auerbach, Paul Roberts & Mike Roberts, owners
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $52
Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
41. Elmer Chocolate, Ponchatoula, La.
Plants: 1
Employees: 175
Chief Officer: Robert Nelson, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $53
Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
40. Sweet Candy Co., Salt Lake City, Utah
Plants: 1
Employees: 140
Chief Officer: Richard Kay, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $54
Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Panned Chocolates; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
39. Impact Confections, Littleton, Colo.
Plants: 1
Employees: 200
Chief Officer: Jeff Rome, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $55
Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
38. Turin Chocolates, div. of Grupo Turin, Mexico City, Mexico
Plants: 1
Employees: 225
Chief Officer: Octavio Penaloza Sandoval, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $56
Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates;
37. Brown & Haley, Tacoma, Wash.
Plants: 1
Employees: 300
Chief Officer: Pierson Clair, CEO; John Melin, pres. & COO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $69
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat;
36. New England Confectionery Co., Revere, Mass.
Plants: 1
Employees: 300
Chief Officer: Michael McGee, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $70
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
35. R.C. Purdy Chocolates Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia
Plants: 1
Employees: 150
Chief Officer: Karen Flavelle, CEO, & Peter Higgins, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $75
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
34. The Warrell Corp., Camp Hill, Pa.
Plants: 2
Employees: 300
Chief Officer: Lincoln Warrell, CEO, & Kevin Silva, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $76
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans;
33. Pearson Candy Co., div. of Brynwood Partners, St. Paul, Minn.
Plants: 1
Employees: 210
Chief Officer: Michael Keller, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $78
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Energy & Cereal Bars
32. Georgia Nut Co. Skokie, Ill.
Plants: 1
Employees: 325
Chief Officer: Dave Drehobl, CEO and Rick Drehobl, president
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $100
Chocolate bars; panned chocolates; toffee and/or caramel; nut and/or seed candies, bars and brittles, marzipan and nougat; other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads)
31. Albanese Confectionery Group Inc., Merrilville, Ind.
Plants: 1
Employees: 300
Chief Officer: Scott Albanese, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $100
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Panned Chocolates; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
30. Spangler Candy Co., Bryan, Ohio
Plants: 1
Employees: 430
Chief Officer: Kirkland B. Vashaw, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $100
Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
29. Laura Secord, Quebec, Quebec
Plants: 1
Employees: 1,000
Chief Officer: Jean Leclerc, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $104
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
28. World's Finest Chocolate, Chicago, Ill.
Plants: 1
Employees: 285
Chief Officer: Eddie Opler, chair & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $110
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
27. American Licorice Co., Bend, Ore.
Plants: 2
Employees: 400
Chief Officer: John Kretchmer, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $114
Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
26. Doumak Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Plants: 2
Employees: 195
Chief Officer: Mark Schuessler, pres. & COO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $115
Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
25. Kind Healthy Snacks, New York
Plants: n/a
Employees: n/a
Chief Officer: Daniel Lubetzky, founder & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $125
Energy & Cereal Bars
24. Standard Functional Foods Group, Nashville, Tenn.
Plants: 1
Employees: 600
Chief Officer: James Spradley Jr., CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $139
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Toffee & Caramel; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Energy & Cereal Bars
23. Bazooka Candy Brands, Div. of Topps Co., New York
Plants: 1
Employees: 275
Chief Officer: Tony Jacobs, global gen. manager, Bazooka Candy Brands
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $146
Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
22. Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Inc., Dunmore, Pa.
Plants: 1
Employees: 500
Chief Officer: Bill Aubrey, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $155
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
21. R.M. Palmer Candy Co., West Reading, Pa.
Plants: 3
Employees: 850
Chief Officer: Richard Palmer Jr., pres., & Mark Schlott, COO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $171
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Toffee & Caramel; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
20. Jelly Belly Candy Co. Ltd., Fairfield, Calif.
Plants: 3
Employees: 725
Chief Officer: Lisa Brasher, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $190
Panned Chocolates; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
19. Sunrise Confections, div. of Mount Franklin Foods LLC, El Paso, Texas
Plants: 3
Employees: 3,000
Chief Officer: Gary A. Ricco, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $200
Toffee & Caramel; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
18. Dulces De la Rosa, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Plants: 4
Employees: 6,500
Chief Officer: Enrique Michel Velasco, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $210
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum;
17. Hearthside Food Solutions, Downers Grove, Ill.
Plants: 7
Employees: 1,023
Chief Officer: Richard Scalise, chair & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $215
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Energy & Cereal Bars
16. Just Born Inc., Bethlehem, Pa.
Plants: 2
Employees: 600
Chief Officer: Ross Born & David Shaffer, co-CEOs
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $231
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads);
15. U.S. Nutrition Inc., div. of NBTY Inc., Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Plants: 3
Employees: 13,500
Chief Officer: Steve Cahillane, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $259
Energy & Cereal Bars
14. Abbott Nutrition, div. of Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio
Plants: *100
Employees: *70,000
Chief Officer: John Landgraf, exec. VP, Nutritional Products
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $290
Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
13. Canel's SA de CV, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Plants: 3
Employees: 2,300
Chief Officer: Robert Garcia Navarro, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $306
Toffee & Caramel; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
12. Promotion in Motion Cos. Inc., Allendale, N.J.
Plants: 3
Employees: 550
Chief Officer: Michael Rosenberg, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $325
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Panned Chocolates; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
11. I-800-Flowers.Com Inc., Carle Place, NY
Plants: 3
Employees: 2,800
Chief Officer: Jim McCann, founder & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $325
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
10. See's Candies, S. San Francisco, Calif.
Plants: 3
Employees: 1,500 ²
Chief Officer: Brad Kinstler, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $410
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections;
9. Clif Bar & Co., Emeryville, Calif.
Plants: 373
Employees: n/a
Chief Officer: Kevin Cleary, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $508
Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Energy & Cereal Bars
8. Pepsico Americas Foods, div. of Pepsico Purchase, N.Y.
Plants: *700
Employees: *274,000
Chief Officer: Indra Nooyi, chair & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $530
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Energy & Cereal Bars
7. Tootsie Roll Industries, Chicago
Plants: 7
Employees: 2,200
Chief Officer: Ellen Gordon, chair
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $537
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections;
6. Barcel S.A., div. of Grupo Bimbo, Mexico City, Mexico
Plants: Barcel S.A., div. of Grupo Bimbo
Employees: 3,000
Chief Officer: Gabino Gomez, pres. of Barcel
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $694
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
5. Ferrara Candy Co., Chicago
Plants: 9
Employees: 800
Chief Officer: Todd Siwak, CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $1,000
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
4. General Mills, Minneapolis, Minn.
Plants: *50
Employees: *43,000
Chief Officer: Ken Powell, chair & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $1,800
Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Energy & Cereal Bars
3. Hershey Foods Corp., Hershey, Pa.
Plants: 16
Employees: 20,800
Chief Officer: John Bilbrey, chair, pres. & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $7,422
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
2. Mondelez International, Deerfield, Ill.
Plants: *171
Employees: *110,000
Chief Officer: Irene Rosenfeld, chair & CEO
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $14,350
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Moulded Chocolate Figures & Shapes; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
1. Mars, Inc., McLean, Va.
Plants: ¹ 70
Employees: 35,000
Chief Officer: Grant Reid, pres.
Confectionery Sales Estimates (in millions): $18,480
Chocolate Bars, Biscuits & Wafers, Covered Pretzels/Chips; Truffles, Pralines & Filled Chocolates; Panned Chocolates; Toffee & Caramel; Nuts/Seed Candies, Bars, Bark, Brittles & Marzipan, Nougat; Hard Candies (includes Lollipops, Mints, Lozenges & Cough Drops); Gummies, Jellies, Licorice, Chews, Fruit Snacks & Jelly Beans; Other (Marshmallows, Yogurt-Covered, Interactive, Pressed Candy, Powders & Spreads); Gum; Reduced-Sugar Confections; Energy & Cereal Bars
*this includes production of non-confectionery items
**company wouldn't disclose
***merger w/Leaf (Sept. 1, 2011 to Aug. 31, 2012)
¹ See's Candies has 550 employees year-round, 1,200 seasonally
