CandyRific and Hilco Sweets announced today they are combining forces to create a unified candy industry leader under one banner, CandyRific. The combination brings together two complementary organizations known for innovation, licensed products, and retail partnerships.

The newly combined company will leverage the strengths of both organizations—CandyRific's distribution expertise and retail relationships with Hilco Sweets' product innovation and brand partnerships—to aim to deliver enhanced value to retail partners and consumers worldwide, the company says.

"This combination represents a transformative moment for our company," says BJ Ruckriegel, president of CandyRific. "We are creating a powerhouse that can innovate faster, serve customers better, and deliver the exciting candy experiences consumers crave."

Strategic leadership appointments

As part of the combination, the company announced key leadership appointments designed to capitalize on each team's core strengths:

• Emily Edmondson has been named EVP of business development and merchandising, where she will oversee select retail partners, while leading the company's creative engine encompassing sourcing, licensing, and design functions. This integrated role aims to ensure seamless alignment between product innovation and account strategy. "Our retail partners will see immediate benefits from this combination," says Edmondson. "We're bringing together the industry's best product innovation in both novelty consumables and toyetic items, always looking for the new and the next.”
• Shayne Quinn has been named EVP of sales operations and logistics, leading sales across all channels, directing procurement, logistics, and data analytics. This comprehensive role will drive efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and customer service across the organization. “What this means is more exciting products, better inventory management and a single, stronger partner focused on driving category growth,” says Quinn. “By combining forces, our retail partners will see the difference in every interaction.”

According to Ruckriegel, Edmondson and Quinn represent the best of both organizations. "Their proven track records and complementary skill sets position us perfectly to execute our ambitious growth strategy while maintaining the operational excellence our retail partners depend on," he says.

Related: CandyRific, Hilco Sweets celebrate novelty fun