Spangler hiresbrand manager

Spangler Candy Co. appointed Mike Rosenblatt as new brand manager on the marketing team in November 2007. Brands Rosenblatt will oversee include Saf-T-Pops, Circus Peanuts and Dum Dum Pops.

Additionally, he will run all national consumer promotions, retailer promotions and primary market research. Rosenblatt has extensive experience in candy marketing with companies like Huhtamäki Oy in Finland, Liberty Richter and most recently R.A.B. Food Group.

Schneeweiss joins Just Born

Just Born, Inc. welcomed Chris Schneeweiss in the company’s brand development and corporate services division as brand manager for Peeps, seasonal brands and jelly beans. Schneeweiss’ new responsibilities will include developing and executing marketing programs and managing day-to-day brand activity. Schneeweiss began his career in sales with Nabisco Brands before moving to brand management with Hershey Foods.


Pecan Deluxe appoints Marcus as chef, advisor

Matt Marcus joined Pecan Deluxe Candy Co. as research & development chef and culinary advisor. Marcus, whose background includes working in world-class restaurants in the U.S. and abroad, earned his Bachelors Degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. Additionally, Marcus received a specialty baking and pastry degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, Calif.

Davis takes Chocolate Graphics' U.S. franchising post

Dave Davis will take over as vice president of U.S. franchising for Chocolate Graphics International Franchising LLC. Davis boasts over 30 years of global experience in sales and marketing for the food, beverage and confectionery industries. His most recent experience stems from running his own business ventures in Australia, including sales and marketing director for ProfitVision, a supermarket scanning and warehouse software used throughout Australian grocery and convenience stores. Davis will work in the U.S. headquarters in Newport Beach, Calif.

Just Born's Downs promoted to operations manager

Gayl Downs, formerly Just Born’s human resources and operations support manager, has been promoted to operations manager at the company’s Philadelphia facility. Specifically, Downs will be responsible for Peanut Chews production. Downs began working with the Peanut Chews brand in the Philadelphia plant in 1999. At the time, the brand and facility were owned by The Goldenberg Candy Co. until Just Born acquired the company in 2003.

Christensen joins Frutarom

Frutarom USA recently named J. Hunter Christensen national accounts manager. Christensen will work with customers in the Northeast, in addition to selection accounts nationwide. He will sell the Frutarom’s full product portfolio, including herbal extracts, gums and botanicals. Christensen’s former roles include in Citroil Enterprises’ flavor division and in flavor and fragrance sales at Givaudan North America.

Gascon promoted to Wixon R&D vice president

St. Francis, Wis.-based ingredient manufacturer Wixon, Inc. promoted Mariano Gascon to vice president of R&D. Gascon’s new position will include direct product and food technology developments with the company’s team of food technologists, flavorists and research professionals. Gascon joined Wixon in 1997 as flavor lab director where he led the company’s staff of flavor chemists. He is a certified flavor chemist and serves as the national chairman of the Society of Flavor Chemists.

Schrepfer announces retirement from Bühler

After nearly 46 years with the Swiss-based Bühler Technology Group, Georg Schrepfer will retire from his corporate communications post in December 2007. Since Schrepfer’s position was divided into a food and non-food side, he will have two successors. Doris Sieber will take over business on the food side, which includes the chocolate & cocoa division. Silvia Wipfli will handle the non-food division. Schrepfer says his first post-retirement priority is to catch up on skiing-one of his fondest pastimes.

Supplier News

Danisco completes expansion of xylose factory
The completion of an expansion to the largest xylose facility in the world, the Danisco Sweeteners GmbH factory, secures Danisco’s position as the world’s leading manufacturer of xylitol. Located in Lenzing, Austria, the expansion will increase Danisco’s yield of xylose, which is the raw material used for xylitol production. Xylitol, a cardiostatic bulk sweetener, has been internationally recognized for its dental benefits. With a price tag of $34 million, the xylose plant expansion was designed and initiated at the beginning of 2006.

Brunner finalizes production extension, forms U.S. partnership

The Hans Brunner Company completed an extension to its Glonn, Germany-based production facilities. The upgrade features cutting-edge technology that allows for new injection moulding capacity with improved flexibility and reduced delivery times. The company is also expanding internationally, as it has joined Micelli Chocolate Mold Company in New York to market a range of Brunner Moulds in the U.S. and Canada.

Moonstruck adds new master chocolatier, R&D director

Portland-based Moonstruck Choco-late Co. welcomed Chef Julian Rose as its master chocolatier and director of research and development. Chef Rose brings more than 25 years of experience to the position, including having worked at Barry Callebaut as its North American technical advisor and director of the company’s Chocolate Academy in Canada. In his new role with Moonstruck Chocolate, Rose will develop new products, upgrade existing ones and uphold the quality of the company’s entire product line.

Jones, Thompson join Just Born

Bethlehem, Pa.-based Just Born, Inc. appointed Timothy Jones as its global supply chain commodity manager. In his new position, Jones will develop and manage supplier relationships, analyze commodity trends and forecast information, and support new product development. Jones, who most recently worked with Knoll, Inc., boasts more than 20 years of operations and supply chain experience. William Thompson also recently joined Just Born as its manufacturing finance manager. Thompson’s new role includes being responsible for all daily finance activities at the company’s Philadelphia facility. Thompson’s resume includes 28 years of corporate financial experience, his most recent  as controller of John-Jeffrey Corp.

Jelly Belly appoints Thailand plant director

Jelly Belly Candy Co. announced that Herman Rowland, Jr. will become managing director for the company’s Rayong, Thailand, manufacturing facility. The facility, which is still under construction, is expected to begin operations later this year. Rowland, Jr., a fourth-generation candymaker, began working full time for Jelly Belly in 1979 and most recently held the position of v.p.-special projects. Rowland, Jr. also played an active role is securing the company’s acquisition of the Ben Myerson Candy Co. and Sunkist licensed confections. He has also overseen aspects of the Thailand plant project since 2005.

ADM names cocoa sustainability head

Archer Daniels Midland Co. appointed Alain Fredericq director, global business development and sustainability programs for ADM Cocoa. The newly created position will allow Fredericq to put his West African and chocolate market experience into practice by aligning business development and sustainability efforts with ADM Cocoa’s expansion and product quality goals. Fredericq joined ADM in 1994 and has worked in a variety of cocoa management roles, including director, European chocolate.

GTC Nutrition appoints manager

Laurie Scanlin, Ph.D. joined GTC Nutrition as its manager of food applications. Scanlin’s new position involves developing formulations, supervising the applications team and laboratory, and overseeing food science-related research. Prior to this most recent appointment, Scanlin served as a food science consultant with Right Stuff Consulting.

Fortitech Europe adds new managing director

Fortitech Europe recently announced Martin Austin as its new managing director/general manager. Austin will oversee all of Fortitech Europe’s operations, such as manufacturing, technical, sales and purchasing, at the company’s Gadstrup, Denmark facility. Austin’s most recent position before joining Fortitech Europe was with global flavor and fragrance company, Firmenich UK Ltd, where he led the company’s UK division.

Takasago expands oral care team

Takasago Flavors welcomed Mike Munroe as its global v.p.-oral care. Munroe’s 18 years of oral care experience, along with former sales, marketing and category management positions, make him a valuable addition to the company’s oral care team. “We are very enthusiastic about Mike being part of our global oral care team,” said Brian Buck, v.p. and general manager, Takasago International Corp. (USA) Flavor Division. “It’s especially fortuitous as we look to leverage our acknowledged strength in aroma chemicals.”

Former Kettle Committee member dies

John “Jack” Wolf, 75, of Columbus, Ohio, died January 15, 2008, at Mt. Carmel Medical Center. Jack retired in 1997 after more than 30 years in the edible fats and oils business servicing the confectionery trade. He held various sales and marketing positions with Glyco Chemicals, Durkee Foods, Capital City Products, Karlshamns USA, ABITEC, and AC HUMKO. He also was v.p. and general manager of Dezaan USA. Jack has been active in a number of trade and professional groups including the Institute of Food Technologists, the American Association of Candy Technologist, Candy's Industry's Kettle Committee and the National Confectioners Association.

Bradman Lake breaks from German subsidiary

Packaging technologies group, Bradman Lake, announced that it ended business from its former German subsidiary, Bradman Lake GmbH. The disconnection comes after a strategic review by Bradman Lake’s new parent, Langley Holdings PLC. The company will serve its European mainland business directly from the UK, while maintaining its office in Moscow. Bradman Lake acquired the German subsidiary in 2003, but business suffered due to technical difficulties since the acquisition.

Ilapak completes acquisitions

Ilapak recently finalized the acquisitions of the tangible and non-tangible assets of Delta Systems Inc. and Food Machinery Sales (FMS) Inc. The business aspects have been reorganized under two operating divisions of Ilapak Holding USA Inc. The company will retain all aspects of product lines, service, engineering, sales and support functions, and will continue to operate from facilities in Rogers, Ark. and Athens, Ga. Delta Systems manufactures primary product handling, feeding and wrapping systems. Similarly, FMS specializes in distribution and feeding systems for snack food manufacturers.

Nielsen-Massey launches cookbook

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas recently introduced its new cookbook entitled “A Century of Flavor.” The book, written in honor of the company’s centennial anniversary, contains 50 recipes for dishes ranging from Crème Brûlée French Toast and Caramelized Pineapple Sauce to Crab Cakes with Vanilla Remoulade and Spicy Tequila Shrimp. Each recipe incorporates at least one of Nielsen-Massey’s pure vanillas and/or flavorings.

Concord Foods marks its 40th anniversary

Concord Foods, a leading supplier of retail food products and custom ingredients, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Under the direction of Peter Neville, the company’s Brockton, Mass. facility houses all its departments, including a uniquely resourceful research and development team who possess over 100 years of food science education and technological experience. The company’s four divisions – Concord Foods, Oringer, Red-E-Made and Tempo – serve retailers, food manufacturers and food service establishments nationwide.

Blue Pacific Flavors to collaborate with HortResearch

Blue Pacific Flavors, a leading innovator of creative natural and organic compliant fruit flavors, announced its strategic collaboration agreement with The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd., more commonly known as HortResearch. Blue Pacific is a leader in creative natural and organic compliant fruit flavors and sweet flavor delivery to a wide range of food applications, and HortResearch is acknowledged as a world leader in integrated fruit research. “This agreement will allow us to build on a wide range of HortResearch flavor- and fruit-based technologies by developing an innovation pipeline for the next generation of fruit flavors and natural fruit-based ingredients," said Blue Pacific Flavors president and ceo Donald Wilkes.