Smarties Candy Company facts for kids
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Smarties tablet candies in 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 |
Smarties Candy Company is a famous candy maker. They are best known for their tasty Smarties candies. Edward "Eddie" Dee started the company in 1949. He moved to the United States from England.
Today, Edward Dee's granddaughters lead the company. Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer, and Liz Dee are co-presidents. Smarties Candy Company has factories in New Jersey, USA, and Ontario, Canada. The company is still owned by the Dee family. It is one of the few large candy companies in the US that is family-owned.
How Smarties Candy Started
In 1949, Edward Dee began making candy rolls. He was a candymaker from England. He rented a factory in New Jersey. He used one machine to wrap candy. He also had a machine that pressed candy tablets. This machine used to make pellets for other things.
Dee named his candy "Smarties." He wanted to encourage people to learn and get an education. His family in England makes a similar candy. Edward Dee first sold his candy by driving it to small stores. Later, his US operations moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1959. Then, in 1967, they moved to their current spot in Union Township.
Smarties Candy Company opened in Canada in 1963. This factory was in Toronto, Ontario. In 1988, it moved to Newmarket. In Canada, the candies are called "Rockets." This is to avoid confusion with another candy called Smarties made by Nestle. The company now makes over 2.5 billion Smarties candy rolls each year. They work around the clock in their two factories.
In 1991, Smarties worked with Mr. T. They created "Crusade for Kids." This program encouraged kids to stay in school. It also raised money for a charity called the Children's Defense Fund. In 2010, a Smarties sales leader was honored. They were put into the Candy Hall of Fame.
In 2011, the company changed its name. It went from Ce De Candy, Inc. to Smarties Candy Company. This new name matched their most famous candy. In 2013, they started the "Smarties Think" campaign. This campaign helps promote education. It also helps classrooms that need supplies. Since 2013, the company has given $200,000. They donate through DonorsChoose to help schools.
In 2016, the New Jersey factory added solar panels. They put 2,100 panels on the roof. This helps power the factory with clean energy. In 2017, Jonathan Dee stepped down as president. Edward Dee's granddaughters, Liz Dee, Sarah Dee, and Jessica Dee Sawyer, became co-presidents. That same month, Smarties launched the #LittleSmarties campaign. This campaign encourages curiosity. It features famous people like Jane Goodall and Marie Curie. They also continued their partnership with DonorsChoose.
Smarties Candy Products
Smarties Candy Company makes many kinds of candies. These include Mega Smarties and Giant Smarties. They also make X-treme Sour Smarties and Tropical Smarties. Other products are Love Hearts, Smarties 'n Creme, and candy necklaces. They also make Smarties Pops in different sizes. All Smarties candies are safe for people with allergies. They are free of peanuts, gluten, and dairy. They are also vegan.
Smarties candies are a popular treat. Some groups also give out Smarties to encourage safety. For example, some groups use them to remind people to wear seatbelts.
