On Thursday, Ferrara Candy Company announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Jelly Belly Candy Company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The proposed acquisition would combine Jelly Belly’s jelly beans and specialty confections with Ferrara’s portfolio of sugar candies. Once the acquisition closes, nearly 800 global Jelly Belly employees and its facilities in California, Illinois, and Thailand will join the Ferrara organization. Jeff Brown, current EVP of global operations and distribution of Jelly Belly, will become the company’s CEO.
“As we considered the future of Jelly Belly Candy Company, we have been steadfast in our commitment to create a win-win situation for our employees, consumers, and products,” said Herman Rowland, Sr., chairman of the board of directors of Jelly Belly, in a statement. “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.”
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, according to Ferrara Candy.
Headquartered in Chicago, Ferrara is the manufacturer of 20 brands, including Black Forest, NERDS, SweeTARTS, and Trolli.
“We are excited to bring Jelly Belly’s imaginative products and talented team into the Ferrara community,” said Marco Capurso, CEO of Ferrara, in a statement. “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.”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023 and is subject to certain closing conditions.
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Image: Jelly Belly