Sunmark Corporation facts for kids
Sunmark Corporation was a candy company based in St. Louis, Missouri. It was once known as Sunline Inc.. This company created many popular candies that you might still enjoy today!
Some famous candies invented by Sunmark include Pixy Stix, SweeTarts, Spree, and Fun Dip.
The Story of Sunmark
Sunmark Corporation was started in 1952 by Menlo F. Smith. It began as a smaller part of his father's company.
Growing the Company
The company first went by the name Sunline Incorporated. Later, it changed its name to Sunmark, Inc.
In 1975, Sunmark bought another company called Breaker Connections. This company made candies like the Wonka Bar. By 1980, Sunmark renamed this part of its business to Willy Wonka Brands.
Sunmark also became a parent company for other brands. These included Sunline Brands and Sunfield Foods.
New Candies and New Owners
In 1983, Sunmark introduced a very popular candy: Nerds.
A few years later, in 1986, a UK company called Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery bought Sunmark. Then, in 1988, Nestlé bought Rowntree Mackintosh. This meant Nestlé now owned Sunmark.
In 1993, Nestlé changed the company's name again to The Willy Wonka Candy Company.
Changes Over Time
In 1999, the main offices in St. Louis were closed. By 2006, many of the candy factories that used to belong to Sunmark were shut down. This happened because the candy market became very competitive.
Today, many of the candies Sunmark created are still made. In 2018, the Ferrara Candy Company bought Nestlé USA's candy business. This means candies like Pixy Stix, SweeTarts, and Fun Dip are now made by the Ferrara Candy Company.
