- 7+ Energy Drink Manufacturers to Know [2023] - May 2, 2023
- 12+ Great Cookie Manufacturers & Suppliers in the US - April 24, 2023
- 9 Great Soda Manufacturers & Private Label Companies in the U.S. [2023] - April 20, 2023
The United States is home to some of the best confectionery manufacturers and co-packers in the world. From chocolate to candy bars, these companies are a great way for confectionery brands to make and package their product.
If you’re looking for confectionery manufacturers and candy makers in the U.S. for your brand, this article will take a look at some of the top confectionery manufacturers in the United States that could be a great fit for your brand.
What is a confectionery maker?
A confectionery maker is a company that produces sweet food products. This can include candy, chocolate, gum, and other sugar-based treats. Confectioneries usually have factories where they make their products. Some of the largest confectionery manufacturers in the world are based in the United States.
The US confectionery industry is worth an estimated $35 billion. This includes everything from major chocolate companies to small gum factories and employs around 55,000 people in the US.
There are many different types of confectionery products. Some of the most popular include:
- Chocolate
- Candy bars
- Gum
- Taffy
- Cotton candy
What type of industry is confectionery?
The confectionery industry is part of the food and beverage sector. This sector includes companies that manufacture, process, and package food and beverages. The food and beverage sector is a large and important part of the US economy. It employs millions of people and generates trillions of revenue annually.
The confectionery industry is made up of both small and large companies providing a variety of products to consumers. Some of the largest confectionery companies in the world are based in the United States and the confectionery industry provides a variety of products to consumers and is made up of both small and large companies.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, there are many great options available from US-based confectionery manufacturers.
Top Confectionery Manufacturers for Your Food Product
While these are some great confectionery manufacturers for your candy or dessert, these are by no means the only–or the best one for your product. It’s just a sample of the great copackers and co-mans you can find on PartnerSlate’s matching platform.
PartnerSlate is a co-packing industry expert, and understands how all of these options can feel overwhelming fast. That’s why we’ve streamlined the process to provide transparency and guidance to both the product owners and manufacturers for frozen foods.
Most co-packers are bogged down with inbound requests that are ill-informed and a waste of their time. Here at PartnerSlate, we have a trusted relationship with co-packers who know we’ll introduce them to the right products for their facility. Instead of each side having to compare and contrast needs and capabilities, Parternslate uses a matching process to narrow down options that will be the best fit–saving the months (or years) it can take to find a partner. And all without paying exorbitant consultant fees.
Once you find your perfect fit? Use the secure platform to e-sign NDA’s, share documents, and schedule an introductory call–with helpful content to help guide you through the process.
But first: some great confectionery manufacturers for you to review!
Brooklyn Born Chocolate
Brooklyn Born Chocolate is a New York-based chocolate company that makes small-batch, handcrafted chocolate that was founded in 2014 by two friends who shared a passion for chocolate. Brooklyn Born Chocolate sources its cocoa beans from family-owned farms in South America. The company’s chocolate is made using traditional methods and is free of additives and preservatives.
Brooklyn Born Chocolate offers a variety of chocolate products, including bars, truffles, and hot chocolate.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Contract packaging
- Chocolate bar manufacturing
- Trademark registration
- Product development
- Flavor development
- Nutritional analysis
- Ingredient sourcing
- Fulfillment services
- Dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage
- Customizable packaging
Product Types:
- Chocolate Almond Cranberry Rocher
- Chocolate Covered Animal Crackers
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Poppers
- Crispy Chocolate Toffee Peanut Rocher
- Peppermint Pretzel Balls
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Caramel
- Dark Chocolate Bar
- Milk Chocolate Bar
- Mint Nib Crunch Chocolate Bar
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Chocolate Bar
- Salted Peanut Chocolate Bar
- Sweet & Salty Chocolate Bar
- Café Au Lait Chocolate Bar
- Fruit and Nut Endurance Bar
- Fruit and Nut Energy Bar
- Fruit and Nut Health Bar
- Fruit and Nut Vitality Bar
- Chocolate Gift Baskets
- Paleo Dark Chocolate Cashew Butter Cups
- Paleo Dark Chocolate Almond Butter & Raspberry
Specialty Product Capabilities
- Organic
- Kosher
- Keto
Location: 815 Martin Street, Rahway, NJ, 07065
Birmingham Chocolate
Birmingham Chocolate is a family-owned confectionery manufacturer. Today, the Birmingham Chocolate Company makes a wide variety of chocolate products, including bars, truffles, and fudge.
The company sources its cocoa beans from family-owned farms in South America. All the company’s products are made using traditional methods and are free of additives and preservatives.
Services:
- Custom packaging
- Private label manufacturing
- Chocolate bar manufacturing
- Trademark registration
- Product development
- Flavor development
- Wholesale
Product Types:
- Chocolate bars
- Keto bars
- Chocolate Blueberry Coffee Beans
- Chocolate & Cocoa Coated Coffee Beans
- Cayenne Cocoa Coated Coffee Beans
- Chocolate & Cocoa Coated Almonds
- Nonpareils
- Orange Peel
- Pretzel Caramel
- Oreos
- Toffee Sampler
- Dipped Grahams
- Bark Pretzel
- Bark Samoa
- Bark Pistachio Cherry
- Bark Salt Caramel Pecan
- Chocolate and cocoa-coated almonds and coffee beans
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- Sugar-free
Location: 1728 W Maple Rd Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Davis Chocolate
Davis Chocolate is one of the top confectionery manufacturers in the United States and the largest bean-to-bar facility in Indiana. The company produces a wide variety of chocolate products, including dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate bars, and white chocolate bars. Davis Chocolate is a private label chocolate manufacturer that manufactures chocolate for other companies.
The company’s products are available in stores across the United States and can also be purchased online.
Services:
- Depositing
- Moulding
- Inclusions
- High-speed flow wrapping
- Pouching
- Chocolate manufacturing
- Private label
- Dry storage
- Ingredient sourcing
- Co-packing
Product Types:
- Chocolate bars
- Dark, milk, and white chocolate bars
- Chocolate bars with inclusions such as almond, peanut butter, and cranberries
- Raw and powdered cocoa nibs
- Chocolate and peanut butter chips
- Wine sticks
- Wave sticks
- Ice cream
- Cakes
- Liquid chocolate
- Truffles
- Chocolate products
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
- Gluten-Free
- Organic
- Halal
Location: 3502 N Home St, Mishawaka, IN, 46545
Dillon Candy Company
Dillon Candy Company is a confectionery manufacturer that produces nut and fruit candies. The company’s products are available nationwide at major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger.
They are a private label company dedicated to providing their customers with the highest quality products. Their products are cooked in copper kettles, hand-stretched, and hand-worked with the best pecans, cashews, and peanuts.
Services:
- Candy manufacturing
- Private label
- Co-packing
- Ingredient sourcing
- Unlabeling packaging
- Wholesale
Product Types:
- Candy bars
- Gummies
- Chocolate bars
- Brittles
- Gourmet nut rolls
- Chocolate nuts and fruits
- Hard candies
- Pralines
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Organic
Location: 19927 HWY 84 E, Boston, GA, 31626
Ferrara Candy Company
Ferrara Candy Company is an American manufacturer of sweets and confections. Ferrara produces candy and gum sold under various brand names, including Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Nerds, SweeTarts, Laffy Tarty, Lemonheads, and RedHots cinnamon candy.
The company’s product line has since expanded to include gummy candies, licorice, marshmallows, and chocolate. The private label company also manufactures chewing gum under the Bubble Yum, Black Jack, and Beeches brands.
Services:
- Food manufacturing
- Private label
- Co-packing
- Ingredient sourcing
Product Types:
- Chewy candies
- Gummies
- Jellybeans
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate bars
- Cookies
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Organic
Location: 1 Tower Lane, Suite 2700, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.
Hebert Candies Inc.
Hebert Candies is a family-owned and operated business making fine chocolates and confections in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, since 1917. The company offers a wide variety of chocolate and candy products, including truffles, creams, caramels, nut clusters, toffee, and dipped fruits. Hebert’s chocolates are available in milk, dark or white chocolate.
As a private label company, Hebert Candies also manufactures chocolates for other companies under their brand names.
Services:
- Candy manufacturing
- Chocolate manufacturing
- Private label
- Ingredient sourcing
Product Types:
- Truffles
- Caramels
- Creams
- Chocolate bars
- Dipped fruits
- Milk, white, and dark chocolates
- Genevas
- Chocolate pops
- Chocolate covered cookies
- Nonpareils
- Chocolate covered raisins
- Malt balls
- Peanut clusters
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
Location: 574 Hartford Turnpike (Rt. 20), Shrewsbury, MA, 01545
Primrose Candy Company
Primrose Candy Company is a candy manufacturer specializing in candies such as caramel and taffy. The company’s products are available nationwide at major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger. Primrose Candy Company is a private label company manufacturing a candy base with the highest quality products.
Services:
- Candy manufacturing
- Private label
- Packaging
- Research and development
- Ingredient sourcing
- Bulk purchasing
- Formulation development
Product Types:
- Caramel
- Taffy
- Fruit chews
- Caramel or Coated Popcorn
- Savory Popcorn
- Hard boiled candy
- Chewy candy
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Organic
- Kosher
- Sugar-free
Location: 4111 W Parker Ave, Chicago, IL, 60639
Quality Candy Co.
Quality Candy Co. is a family-owned and operated candy manufacturer and the oldest brand of peppermint candy canes in the United States. Quality Candy Co. is a private label company that manufactures candy canes for other companies under their own brand names.
They have two brands (King Leo and Gilliam) that offer quality stick candies to consumers.
Services:
- Candy manufacturing
- Vertical Form/Fill Bagging
- Horizontal Form/Fill Bagging
- Flow Wrapping
- Twist Wrapping
- Hand Packing
- Private label
- Puff Manufacturing
- Drop Manufacturing
- Ingredient Manufacturing
- Contract Manufacturing
Product Types:
- Peppermint candy canes
- Lollipop
- Giant Sticks
- Gilliam Sticks
- Gilliam Drops
- King Leo Puffs
Specialty Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
- Organic
- Gluten Free
- USDA Organic
- Vegan
- Non-GMO
- Allergen Free
Location: 3535 Executive Terminal Dr #100, Henderson, NV, 89052
What is the largest confectionery company in the world?
The largest confectionery company in the world is Mars Wrigley. They are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and have over 65,000 employees. Their products include chocolate, gum, mints, and other confectionery items.
They operate in over 180 countries and have annual sales of over $35 billion. The second-largest confectionery company is Ferrero Group. They are headquartered in Italy and have more than 36,000 workers. Their products include chocolate, hazelnut spread, biscuits, and other confectionery items. They operate in over 170 countries and have annual sales of over $12 billion.
Confectionery manufacturers vs. candy makers
Confectionery manufacturers are companies that make confectionery products, while candy makers are companies that make candy. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. Confectionery manufacturers typically make a wider variety of products than candy makers. Candy makers usually only make one product, such as chocolate or candy.
There are many confectionery manufacturers in the United States. Some top companies include Mars Wrigley, Ferrero, Hershey, Nestle, and Lindt & Sprungli. These companies make various products, including chocolate, gum, mints, and other confectionery items.
On the other hand, candy makers usually only make one type of product. For example, See’s Candies is a candy maker that specializes in making chocolate. Another example is Dylan’s Candy Bar, which is a candy store that produces and sells a variety of different candies, but not other confections.
Confectionery manufacturers vs. confectionery suppliers
The difference between confectionery manufacturers and confectionery suppliers is the manufacturers make the sweets while suppliers provide the raw ingredients.
Confectionery manufacturers produce all kinds of delicious treats–from chocolate and candy to gum and mints–while suppliers are responsible for providing the factories with sugar, cocoa, and other vital ingredients.
The best confectionery manufacturing company for you?
It is important to note that there is no “best” confectionery manufacturer. Instead, you should find the company that best suits your specific needs and preferences. Do you want a large company with a wide range of products or a smaller business specializing in a particular confectionery type? Are you looking for a manufacturer that uses organic ingredients or one that focuses on sustainability?
When it comes to finding the right confectionery manufacturers in the United States, PartnerSlate will get your products from ideas to the shelves. Instead of researching, comparing notes, making calls, visiting, and experimenting (and repeating this process) you can save serious time and effort by using PartnerSlate to identify which co-packing company will be a perfect fit. We do all this work for you–and then some–helping reduce the time and expenses needed to find the best beverage co-packer or drink manufacturing company for you. There’s a reason PartnerSlate is the leading discovery and connection platform in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Contact us today to get started!
