LUXEMBOURG -- Tic Tac manufacturer and confectionery giant Ferrero International S.A. has acquired Fannie May Confections Brands, the U.S.-based premium chocolate confectionery manufacturer of the Fannie May and Harry London brands, as well as 1-800-Flowers.com Inc. The transaction closed May 31.
Fannie May was founded in 1920 in Chicago. Currently owned by 1-800-Flowers, a multibrand provider of gourmet and floral gifts, Fannie May’s current primary distribution channels include online, telephone, QVC home shopping channel, a network of 80 retail stores operated by Fannie May, conventional retail and private-label/contract manufacturing activities. The company operates a production facility in Ohio and distribution centers in Ohio and Illinois. It employs 750 people full time, with additional seasonal hires.
“Fannie May represents a strong strategic and cultural fit for Ferrero, and we are happy that Fannie May’s talented people, premium brand and quality products will become part of the Ferrero Group," said Giovanni Ferrero, CEO of the Ferrero Group, Alba, Italy. "The United States is an important growth market for Ferrero, and we are excited about the opportunity to support and grow a great American brand as we continue to expand our presence in the United States.”
Following the acquisition, Fannie May will operate as a stand-alone entity and brand within the Ferrero Group, with support from Ferrero USA Inc. as needed. Ferrero will maintain Fannie May’s plant in Ohio, as well as its distribution centers in Ohio and Illinois. Ferrero will maintain the network of Fannie May retail stores, with plans to grow it over time. Ferrero will maintain its U.S. headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., and its assembly and packaging facility in Somerset, N.J.
“Fannie May brings great people and a valuable manufacturing, distribution and retail network to Ferrero’s expanding U.S. presence," said Paul Chibe, president and CEO of Ferrero North America. "We plan to build on the Fannie May organization to support the growth of the Fannie May and Harry London brands. We are confident there are significant opportunities to enhance Fannie May’s growth, leveraging Ferrero’s capabilities to sell new products through a substantially larger base of channels.”
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