On July 14, 2014, when the Lindt & Sprüngli Group announced that it was acquiring Russell Stover Candies, the news raised some eyebrows within the U.S. chocolate market. While few were surprised to hear that the Kansas City chocolate manufacturer was acquired — the industry knew Russell Stover was on the block — the final deal generated closer scrutiny from not only industry participants, but observers as well.

But for Lindt & Sprüngli, the acquisition marked the company’s “Biggest and most important strategic acquisition to date,” emphasized Ernst Tanner, chairman of the Lindt & Sprüngli Board of Directors and Group CEO. It was, as he added, “A unique opportunity for us to expand our North American chocolate business and will greatly enhance the group’s status as the leader in premium chocolate in the world’s biggest marketplace.”