Panda (Finnish company) facts for kids

Panda Oy is a Finnish company that makes delicious sweets. It is based in Vaajakoski, a town near Jyväskylä. The company started in 1920. It was founded by a Finnish co-op group called SOK.

Panda is very famous for its tasty licorice and chocolate products. In 2005, a Norwegian company called Orkla Group bought Panda. It became part of Orkla's Felix Abba division.

History of Panda Sweets

How Panda Started

SOK started the Panda company in 1920. Back then, it was simply called SOK's confectionery factory. In 1929, the factory moved to a new building. This building was an extension next to a margarine factory.

In its first years, Panda only made hard candies and marmalade. But soon, they started making chocolate in the new building. In the next ten years, they also began to produce licorice.

Challenges and Growth

During the war years, it was hard to make many different sweets. By the end of 1942, only carrot marmalade was available. Even with limited choices, people bought it quickly because food was scarce.

After the war, new rules made candy production tricky. But in the 1950s, things got easier. The candy industry in Finland began to grow fast. Panda grew along with it.

Panda's factory site in Vaajakoski.