LUFKIN, Texas -- Eric Atkinson, president of Atkinson Candy Co., was inducted into the American Wholesale Marketer's Association (AWMA) Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony held in Phoenix earlier this month. The group recognized Atkinson for his dedicated service to the organization that he has been actively involved with for more than 30 years.
AWMA is a trade organization that brings together convenience distributors and their trading partners to discuss key industry topics such as regulatory issues, operations, logistics, category management and expanding product categories.
The Hall of Fame Award is the AWMA's highest honor and serves to recognize individuals at both distributor and manufacturer companies who have demonstrated utmost service to the convenience products industry.
Atkinson has been an active AWMA board and convention committee member for more than 10 years and has achieved other recognitions including Candy Man of the Year in 1990 and AWMA Dean of the Industry in 1999.
Atkinson's longtime industry friend, Steve Shing of GSC Enterprises, presented the award.
"Eric practically grew up in the AWMA, attending the annual conferences with his father as a young man. He has grown into a master of customer service, soliciting advice from his distributors, brokers and manufacturers. Nothing is too small for his attention," said Shing.
"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by my peers at AWMA, and I'm proud to be involved with an organization that does so much for the candy industry. The AWMA has given Atkinson Candy Co. the ability to better work with the nation's top distributors to build grassroots support for our brands," said Atkinson.
Atkinson Candy has been manufacturing candy in Lufkin, Texas, 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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