WRGB-TV CBS 6 - Tough economy means sweet success for local company

Canajoharie --

You can call it sweet success!

80% of all the world's rock candy is now produced in Canajoharie thanks to Richardson Brands. Historically liquor and candy usage spikes during tough economic times and that's the case over at Richardson's.

Sales have been up 5% each year throughout this recession and the buck doesn't stop there.

The company expects to put out another 'help wanted' sign in the coming months.

"People are looking for comfort food during a recession" says Tom Shellooe, Director of Operations at Richardson Brands.

So naturally Richardson Brands is doing just fine. The world's biggest producer of rock candy is in the middle of their busiest manufacturing time as they prepare for the holiday season.

"We are confident that we'll be able to add 80 new jobs in the year 2012 to this facility in Canajoharie, raising us to about 300 people" adds Shellooe.

At Richardson's a little bit of sugar goes a long way. Not only do they make every type of candy under the sun but it all comes down to gravy, literally.

"We are able to use the final part of the sugar syrup in making our Gravy Master which people have been using for years since probably the 1950's" says Shellooe.

With business booming in the food service sector and the candy industry the company hopes to continue making products for another 50 years. Right now the plant employs 215 people. Village of Canajoharie's mayor Francis Avery says, there is no village without Richardson.

"We would be literally underwater. The taxes, your water sewer rates would be so prohibitive no one would stay here" adds Avery.

Thanks to 180,000 square feet of manufacturing space Richardson plans on staying in Canajoharie for the long-haul.

Richardson brands CEO is currently in the middle of acquiring 2-3 different companies. They're also working on some new channels of distribution.

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News & Politics

Tags:

• New York State
• Canajoharie
• Richardson Brands
• Economy
• Jobs
• Candy
• Manufacturing