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Confections

Walker’s Shortbread Leader Marjorie Henderson Walker Dies

Marjorie Henderson Walker, who grew her family’s business Walker’s Shortbread  “from one village bakery employing 20 people into an international business employing over 1,000 people,” died peacefully in Aberlour, Scotland, on Oct. 22.

The company posted an obituary on its website:

Marjorie, fondly known as ‘Marj’, was born in Inverness on 17th July 1940, daughter of the late James and Winnie Walker, a younger sister of Joe and older sister to James.

Marjorie is survived by her son David, daughter in law Beverley, grandson Josh and great grandchildren, Evie and Jack. Sadly her younger grandson Brodie passed away in 2018 at the age of 23.

Since she was a child, Marjorie had a huge love of all things nature – the countryside, farming, birds and animals, with a particular love of both horses and dogs.

Marjorie attended school in her home village of Aberlour. After school, Marjorie followed her passion attending equestrian schools in both the Cotswolds and Germany. During her time in Germany, Marjorie unfortunately suffered a bad knee injury, which ruled out the equestrian career she had dreamed of.

In 1962, Marjorie returned home to Speyside and joined her family business Walker’s Shortbread. She was made a full partner in the business with brothers Joe and Jim and was one of the three founding directors in 1980, when the Limited Company was formed.

During her 40 year career with the business Marjorie did a fantastic job for the company. She oversaw administration, and in the early days attended key events and food shows as the Walker’s brand was beginning to grow. As time went on, she managed the finances, and took on the role of Company Secretary later in her tenure. Marjorie also passionately managed the company’s five bakery shops, a responsibility which she greatly enjoyed, and they thrived under her management.

Marjorie was a real people person, like her father, and was full of kindness. Marjorie was popular with staff and managed customer relationships very well, in the process making good friends both at home and abroad. She was a composed and magnificent ambassador for the family business and an accomplished bridge-builder when there were disagreements to overcome.

Marjorie’s role in the development of Walker’s was highly significant and she was both a motivated and motivational businesswoman. During her time with the business, it grew from one village bakery employing 20 people into an international business employing over 1,000 people.

With great enthusiasm for animals and agriculture, Marjorie fulfilled her lifelong ambition of buying a farm with her son David who manages the farm to this day. Marjorie was a loving mother to her son David, and later to her grandsons Josh and Brodie all of whom she adored and championed passionately.

Marjorie was enormously loved by many people around the world, especially colleagues and customers. She will always be remembered as a fun-loving passionate and dynamic woman who will never be forgotten.

Salon du Chocolat to Return to NYC in November 2024

The largest world-renowned celebration of chocolate and cocoa, Salon du Chocolat, is set to return to the heart of New York City on Nov. 8-10, 2024 at the Javits Center.

Globally recognized by its Parisian origin,Salon du Chocolat is a remarkable international gathering of chocolatiers, artisans, pastry chefs, experts, and businesses from around the world, united by their unwavering passion for everything chocolate. Together, they create an awe-inspiring array of delectable offerings while showcasing their craftsmanship, diverse cultures, and extensive knowledge in a thoughtfully curated and immersive setting.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore exclusive vendors, partake in delectable tastings, demonstrations, and educational seminars, shop for chocolate treasures, and most importantly, revel in the joy of chocolate in all its delightful forms.

The November 2024 edition of Salon du Chocolat New York City marks an exciting new chapter with globally recognized event organizer, Messe Frankfurt. This collaboration is poised to elevate the trade show to new heights, offering an even more premium, immersive experience for attendees, building on the strong foundation established in 2019.

“Celebrated for its diverse gastronomic landscape and culinary innovation, New York City provides the perfect backdrop for an event that celebrates the art of chocolate in all its forms. We look forward to continuing Salon du Chocolat’s legacy of excellence,” said Sharona Sandberg, operations manager, Messe Frankfurt Inc.

Save the date and prepare your taste buds for a sumptuous adventure at Salon du Chocolat New York City 2024.

For more news of interest to the confection industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Ferrara to Acquire Jelly Belly Candy Company

Jelly Belly logoFerrara Candy Company will acquire Jelly Belly Candy Company through CTH Invest, the lead holding company of Ferrara. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The proposed acquisition would combine Jelly Belly Candy Company’s more than 100 flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans and gourmet specialty confections with Ferrara’s broad portfolio of sugar candies. Once the acquisition closes, nearly 800 global Jelly Belly employees and its facilities in California, Illinois and Thailand will join the Ferrara organization.

Jeff Brown, who is the executive vice president of global operations and distribution of Jelly Belly, will become its chief  executive officer.

Jelly Belly Candy Company’s roots date back to its founding in Illinois in 1869 and it has continued to be family-owned and operated by the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of the Rowland candy-making family. Its signature brand of Jelly Belly jelly beans has been one of the most loved and recognizable candy products in the world since its introduction in 1976. Its extensive portfolio includes more than 100 flavors of its well-known jelly beans and a wide variety of other candies.

The company is also well-known for its specialty retail confections, including jelly bean lines such as BeanBoozled jelly beans and Sport Beans Energizing jelly beans. Today, Jelly Belly distributes its products in more than 60 countries across five continents and has a strong track record of sustained and profitable growth.

Headquartered in Chicago for more than 115 years and privately owned, Ferrara is the leading U.S. sugar confections company and the manufacturer of 20 beloved brands such as Black Forest, NERDS, SweeTARTS and Trolli. Ferrara is a Ferrero related company.

“As we considered the future of Jelly Belly Candy Company, we have been steadfast in our commitment to create a win-win situation for our employees, consumers, and products,” said Herman Rowland, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jelly Belly. “When I met with the Ferrara team, I recognized a like-minded group that shares our knowledge and passion for the candy business and has the talent and resources to grow our products and the careers of our people around the world. I am confident of the continued success of Jelly Belly as part of the Ferrara portfolio.”

“Since our inception almost a century and a half ago, Jelly Belly Candy Company has been focused on providing exciting new flavors and continuous innovation, and we are extremely proud of the deep affinity we’ve built with our fans around the world,” said Lisa Brasher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jelly Belly. “Ferrara’s interest reflects the substantial value of our storied brand, built on our team’s many successes, and the opportunity to drive continued growth. We look forward to being a part of this impressive company.”

“We are excited to bring Jelly Belly’s imaginative products and talented team into the Ferrara community,” said Marco Capurso, Chief Executive Officer of Ferrara. “Our dedication to creating high-quality, innovative sugar confections for the world and our deep relationships with retailers aligns perfectly with the Jelly Belly track record and passion for quality, reliability, and customer service. We look forward to working together to build on the success of all our brands.”

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023 and is subject to certain closing conditions.

Raymond James acted as exclusive financial advisor and Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal counsel to Jelly Belly. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as legal counsel to Ferrara Candy Company.

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is a leading sugar confectioner in the United States with its broad portfolio of Ferrara products and a leader in Brazil through its Dori Alimentos products.

Ferrara boasts a passionate team of more than 7,500 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy and Trolli to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz and Yogurte 100 in Brazil.

Ferrara’s innovation success has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company.

With candy-making roots dating back to 1869, Jelly Belly Candy Company began making Jelly Belly jelly beans in 1976. Today, Jelly Belly confections are sold all over the world and the company has remained family-owned and operated by the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of the candy-making family.

For more news of interest to the confectionary industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.