MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — Kar’s Nuts has hired a former Mars Wrigley Confectionery chief operating officer as its CEO.
Victor Mehren will replace Nick Nicolay, who had been Kar’s Nuts president and CEO since 1995. Nicolay will continue to remain involved in the company as its chairman.
Mehren most recently was COO, U.S. at the Chicago-based candy company. He was responsible for operations and integration of the merged Mars and Wrigley business units. He also was general manager of Wrigley, general manager of Mars Ice Cream and Substantial Snacks and general manager of Mars Chocolate Canada.
"I am excited to join the Kar's Nuts team and look forward to leading a category-leading business with strong tailwinds and exciting innovation capabilities," Mehren said. "Kar's Nuts has an incredible brand and has been a snacking staple for over 85 years. I appreciate the leadership Nick and the Kar's Nuts team exhibited to get to this point and am honored to be a part of the next phase of growth alongside Palladium."
Palladium Equity Partners LLC, a New York-based private equity firm, announced a significant investment in partnership with the owner of Kar’s in 2017. The companies partnered to further expand Kar’s market reach, according to Palladium.
Madison Heights, Mich.-based Kar’s Nuts manufactures better-for-you snacking products under the Kar’s, Second Nature and Sanders Fine Chocolatiers brands. The company, which was founded in 1933, is known for its trail mix, including Kar’s Sweet ‘n Salty Mix.
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