LUFKIN, Texas -- Atkinson Candy Co. has announced an agreement with Laco Inc., a strategic partner of The Warrell Corp., to purchase the Slo Poke, Black Cow and Sophie Mae brands. The three classic brands will become a part of the Atkinson family of traditional made-in-America confections.
Atkinson Candy will have exclusivity on marketing and sales of the newly acquired brands, while manufacturing details are still in discussions. During this transition period, Atkinson Candy and Warrell plan to use the contract manufacturing capabilities of Warrell at its facility in York, Pa., as well as Atkinson's facilities in Lufkin, Texas.
"This strategic transaction by Atkinson and the potential for additional product introductions represent new opportunities for both Warrell and Atkinson Candy Co. to work together and maximize existing capabilities of both companies to our mutual benefit," said Pat Huffman, president of Warrell.
"We are proud to bring these three great items into our ever growing house of classic candy brands," said Atkinson Candy president Eric Atkinson. "This acquisition points to our continued strategic growth in the classic confections market and allows us to work more closely with other family-owned U.S. businesses."
The Sophie Mae brand, in particular, presents Atkinson Candy with an opportunity to expand their existing peanut brittle business, which they have been producing since 1938. "This is a fantastic occasion for us to build line extensions for our peanut brittle by leveraging this well-known brand name," said Atkinson.
Atkinson Candy will make further announcements regarding the marketing of the three brands as details become available, it said.
The Warrell Corp. is an almost 50-year-old specialty confectionery business led by Linc Warrell and his family. With a contract manufacturing and private-label manufacturing base, Warrell also has a broad specialty distribution business, Pennsylvania Dutch Candies and other strong branded goods including Classic Caramel, Katharine Beecher and Manchester Farms.
Atkinson Candy has been manufacturing candy in Lufkin since 1932 and in Guatemala since 2010. The company's brands are distributed worldwide: Chick-O-Stick, Peanut Butter Bar, Long Boys Coconut, Chocolate Long Boys, Long Boys Juniors, Mint Twists, Fruitie Tootie Twists, Peco Coconut Peanut Brittle, Old Fashion Peanut Brittle, Rainbow and Neapolitan Coconut Bars, Christmas Tree Mint Twists, Family Favorites, Rainbow and Mint Sticks, Assorted Sours and Gemstone Candies by Atkinson.
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