The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the recipients of multiple industry awards ahead of the opening of the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo.

"There is no better way to usher in the excitement of this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo than by recognizing the best our industry has to offer," said NCA President and CEO John Downs. “This year, innovation and dedication to creating the best products and shopper experience take center stage as we celebrate our suppliers, brokers, manufacturers and retail partners.”

The Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation

The Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation is given annually to recognize a breakthrough innovation from the supplier member community that advances the confectionery industry and improves the ability of confectioners to manufacture, distribute, market and/or sell chocolate and candy. A panel of NCA manufacturing member companies reviews the applications and selects the award recipient each year.

For the first time in the award’s history, this year the award was presented to two winners:

Mantrose-Haeuser Co., Inc. – MantroShield
MantroShield's concept delivers the sour taste impact of organic acids with enough protection to allow its use in confectionery but without the negative aspects of common encapsulation processes.
 
Schubert Additive Solutions – Partbox
With Partbox, spare parts can be provided to companies in the confectionery industry much faster than before. Partbox uses 3D printing technology to produce spare parts directly inside the factories of the confectionery industry. With Partbox, spare parts don't have to be stored physically. Through the optimized process, companies can save time and money in the ordering process of spare parts. Partbox enables a high availability of spare parts without storing them.

The Golden Candy Dish Award

Doug Boes, Shankman & Associates
 
The Golden Candy Dish Award is presented to a broker industry member who has performed above and beyond the call of business to promote and grow the confectionery industry. The individual is selected based on the candidate's leadership skills and ability to build relationships and cultivate new business opportunities with confectionery manufacturers. This year the award also recognized their versatility and perseverance through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Silver Candy Dish Award 

Katherine Phegley, Brown & Haley
 
The Silver Candy Dish Award is presented to a leader in sales, marketing, management or another key role in confectionery manufacturing who has made significant contributions to growing the confectionery category. The individual is selected based on the candidate's leadership skills and ability to build relationships and cultivate new business opportunities with brokers. This year we also focused on their versatility and perseverance through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Woman of Influence Award

The National Confectioners Association presented the first-ever Woman of Influence Award to highlight a recipient who has performed above and beyond the call of duty in service of the industry. The recipient of this award is selected by the National Confectioners Association's Women's Leadership Group. 

The 2021 Woman of Influence Award Winner is Libby Taylor, who previously served as the NCA’s vice president of membership. Taylor joined the association in 1993 and pioneered the National Confectioners Association's signature events, including the Sweets & Snacks Expo launch in 1997.