Spangler Candy Company facts for kids
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Formerly
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Spangler Manufacturing Company (1906–1920) |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Confectionery |
| Founded | August 20, 1906 (as Spangler Manufacturing Company) |
| Founder | Arthur G. Spangler |
| Headquarters | 400 N Portland St. Bryan, Ohio, U.S. 43506 |
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Key people
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Greg Spangler (CEO) |
| Products | Candy |
| Revenue | $189 million (2021) |
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Number of employees
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650 |
The Spangler Candy Company is a family-owned business that has been making and selling candy since 1906. It's located in Bryan, Ohio, USA. Spangler makes famous candies like lollipops, candy canes, and marshmallow circus peanuts.
Some of their well-known brands include Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops, Whistle Pops, Spangler Candy Canes, and Spangler Circus Peanuts. Dum Dums lollipops were first made in 1924. Spangler bought the company that made them in 1953. These small, colorful lollipops are often given away for free.
In 2018, Spangler bought several brands from a company called Necco. This included Necco Wafers, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and Canada Mints. In 2020, Spangler also bought the rights to Bit-O-Honey candy.
Spangler also sells different kinds of mint candy, hard candy, and caramel candy. The company is the second largest employer in Bryan, Ohio. Bryan is even known as the "Dum Dum Capitol of the World" because of Spangler. The company makes about 45% of all candy canes sold in the United States. They also produce over 12 million Dum Dums every single day!
History of Spangler Candy
The Spangler Candy Company started on August 20, 1906. Arthur G. Spangler bought a baking company for $450. He moved it to Bryan, Ohio. The new company was called Spangler Manufacturing Company. It first made things like baking soda, baking powder, and spices.
In 1908, Arthur's brother, Ernest Spangler, joined the company. He suggested they start making candy. In 1911, the Spangler Coconut Ball became their very first candy. In 1913, the business moved to its current location in Bryan, Ohio. More family members joined, bringing new skills. They made many different candies, including chocolate bars and ice cream cones.
Key Moments in Spangler's History
- 1920: The company's name changed to Spangler Candy Company.
- 1922: They bought equipment to make hard candy. One popular candy was the penny apple sucker. They also started making chocolate items by machine instead of by hand.
- 1940: Spangler created their famous Marshmallow Circus Peanuts.
- 1945: The founder, Arthur Spangler, passed away.
- 1953: Spangler bought Dum Dum Pops from the Akron Candy Co. This was a very important step for the company.
- 1954: They bought the A-Z Christmas Candy Cane Company. This helped them become a big candy cane maker.
- 1960: The second generation of the Spangler family took over managing the company.
- 1962: Spangler acquired Shelby Bubble Gum.
- 1966: The Spangler Candy Dum Dums Drum Man character was created.
- 1978: Saf-T-Pops were acquired. C. Gregory Spangler, a third-generation family member, became President.
- 1996: Dean L. Spangler, another third-generation family member, became President. Spangler also launched its first website.
- 2005: The Spangler Candy Company Store & Museum opened.
- 2006: Spangler Candy celebrated its 100th birthday!
- 2008: Kirkland B. Vashaw, a fourth-generation family member, became President.
- 2011: Kirk Vashaw became President and CEO. Dum Dums became the number one lollipop in the U.S.
- 2018: Spangler bought several brands from the New England Confectionery Company (Necco). This included Necco Wafers and Sweethearts.
- 2020: The company acquired the Bit-O-Honey brand.
