Ferrara Candy Co. is acquiring Jelly Belly Candy Co. through CTH Invest, the lead holding company of Ferrara.
The proposed acquisition would combine Jelly Belly’s more than 100 flavors of Jelly Belly jellybeans and a variety of other candies with Ferrara’s broad portfolio of sugar candies.
Jeff Brown, who is currently the executive vice president of global operations and distribution of Fairfield, California-based Jelly Belly, will become its CEO.
“We are excited to bring Jelly Belly’s imaginative products and talented team into the Ferrara community,” said Marco Capurso, CEO 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.”
Once the acquisition closes, nearly 800 global Jelly Belly employees and its facilities in California, Illinois and Thailand will join the Ferrara organization.
Jelly Belly’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 jellybeans was introduced in 1976. The company is also well-known for its specialty retail confections, including jellybean lines such as BeanBoozled jellybeans and Sport Beans Energizing jellybeans. 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.
“As we considered the future of Jelly Belly Candy Co., we have been steadfast in our commitment to create a win-win situation for our employees, consumers and products,” said Herman Rowland Sr., chairman at 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.”
Based in Chicago for more than 115 years and privately owned, Ferrara is a U.S. sugar confections company and the manufacturer of 20 brands such as Black Forest, Nerds, SweeTarts and Trolli. Ferrara is a Ferrero related company.
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