Smarties Candy Company facts for kids
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Smarties tablet candies in a roll (right) and loose (left).
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Formerly
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Ce De Candy, Inc. |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Confectionery |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Founder | Edward Dee |
| Headquarters | Union, New Jersey, United States |
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Key people
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| Products | Smarties |
| Revenue | US$15 million (2021) |
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Number of employees
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100 |
The Smarties Candy Company is a family-owned business famous for making the popular tablet candy called Smarties. The company was started in 1949 by a man named Edward "Eddie" Dee, who moved to the United States from England.
Today, the company is run by Edward Dee's granddaughters: Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer, and Liz Dee. They are the co-presidents of the company. Smarties are made in two factories, one in Union Township, New Jersey, and another in Newmarket, Canada. It is one of the few large candy companies in the U.S. that is still owned by the same family that started it.
Contents
The History of Smarties
How It All Began
Edward Dee, who came from a family of candy makers in England, started making his famous candy rolls on January 10, 1949. He began in a small, rented factory in New Jersey with just one machine for wrapping candy and one for pressing the tablets.
Dee, who went to Cambridge University, named his candy "Smarties" to encourage people to value education. His family in England makes a similar candy. At first, Dee drove his car to small grocery and tobacco stores to sell the candy himself.
Growing the Candy Business
The company grew over the years. In 1959, it moved to a new factory in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Then, in 1967, it moved to its current location in Union Township.
In 1963, the company opened a factory in Canada. In Canada, the candy is called Rockets. This is to avoid confusion with another candy made by Nestlé that is also called Smarties. Today, the two factories work all day and night, making over 2.5 billion rolls of Smarties every year!
Helping the Community
The Smarties Candy Company has also worked to help others. In 1991, the company worked with the actor Mr. T on a project called Crusade for Kids. It encouraged kids to stay in school and raised money for the Children's Defense Fund charity.
In 2011, the company officially changed its name from Ce De Candy, Inc. to Smarties Candy Company. In 2013, it launched its "Smarties Think" campaign to support education and help classrooms get the supplies they need. The company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to schools through an organization called DonorsChoose.
The company also cares about the environment. In 2016, it installed over 2,000 solar panels on the roof of its New Jersey factory to use clean energy.
Smarties Products
Besides the original Smarties, the company makes many other treats. These include:
- Mega Smarties
- Giant Smarties
- X-treme Sour Smarties
- Tropical Smarties
- Love Hearts
- Smarties 'n Creme
- Candy necklaces
- Smarties Pops (lollipops)
All Smarties products are made without peanuts, gluten, or dairy, and they are also vegan. This means many people with allergies or special diets can enjoy them.
Smarties are sometimes used in safety campaigns. Groups give them out to remind people to buckle their seatbelts and drive safely.
