The Spangler Candy Company is a privately owned confectioner that has been manufacturing and marketing candy for more than a century. Headquartered in Bryan, Ohio, Spangler's products include lollipops,[1]candy canes, and marshmallow circus peanuts. Spangler brand names include Dum-Dums, Bit-O-Honey, Necco Wafers, Sweetheart Candies, Spangler Candy Canes, Spangler Circus Peanuts and Canada Mints. Dum-Dums, the company's most recognized brand, were invented in 1924, and Spangler purchased the rights and equipment in 1953. The small multicolor lollipops are popular as free giveaways. In 2018, Spangler bought various assets and brands from the defunct Necco, retaining the rights to Necco Wafers, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and Canada Mints. In 2020, Spangler bought the rights to Bit-O-Honey from Pearson Candy Company.
Spangler is the second largest employer in Bryan, Ohio. Spangler gives Bryan its identity as the "Dum-Dums Capital of the World" and the largest manufacturer of candy canes in the country. The company produces approximately 45% of the candy canes sold in the United States and produces over 12 million Dum-Dums per day.
Spangler Candy Company was established August 20, 1906 when Arthur G. Spangler purchased the Gold Leaf Baking Powder Company of Defiance, Ohio, for $450 and moved it to 204 W. High Street in Bryan, Ohio. The new company was named Spangler Manufacturing Company and produced baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, laundry starch, spices, and flavorings.[2]
In 1908, Ernest Spangler joined the company and suggested adding candy to the product line. In 1911, the Spangler Cocoanut Ball became the first candy manufactured by Spangler. In 1913, the business moved to its present location on North Portland Street in Bryan, Ohio. In 1914 Omar Spangler joined the company, bringing mechanical & bookkeeping knowledge. In those early years, Spangler manufactured: Creme Peanut Clusters, Cocoanut Balls, Bryan Drops, hand-dipped chocolates, chocolate bars, ice cream cones, soda pop, and cough drops.
Extended timeline:
1920: The company's name is changed to Spangler Candy Company. Truman Spangler joins the company as a salesman.
1922: Hard candy equipment is purchased and stick candy is manufactured. One of the most successful hard candies is the penny apple sucker. The sticks are placed in by hand and the pop is sold unwrapped. Chocolate equipment is also purchased, which eliminates the need to hand dip chocolate items. A variety of 60 products are being made and shipped from Spangler Candy Company.
1927: Spangler founds wholesaling subsidiary in Maumee, Ohio.
1931: Spangler acquires Hickok Honeycomb Chocolate of Sydney, Ohio.
1940: Spangler created their Marshmallow Circus Peanuts, their version of a popular penny candy.
1941: Marshmallow Topping is introduced and becomes popular as a sugar substitute during World War II.
1945: Founder Arthur Spangler dies in boating accident.
1946: The company is reorganized from a partnership to a corporation.
1953: Dum Dum Pops are acquired from Akron Candy Co. of Bellevue, Ohio.
1954: A-Z Christmas Candy Cane Company of Detroit, Michigan, is acquired.
1957: Ohio Confections Fudge of Cleveland, makers of Pecan Divinity, is acquired.
1960: The second generation of Spangler family members now actively manage the company. Ted Spangler is president and sales manager. Harlan Spangler is treasurer and financial officer. Norman Spangler is secretary and production manager. Frank Spangler is in purchasing and product design. Charles Spangler is transportation manager and in sales service. Albert Spangler manages the Toledo Wholesale operation. Ernest Spangler, now 80, continues as honorary chairman. The first union contract with Toledo Local 20 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is signed.
1962: Shelby Bubble Gum of Shelby, Ohio, is acquired.
Toledo location in 1962.
1965: American Mint Corp. of New York City is acquired.
1966: The Spangler Candy Dum-Dums Drum Man was born in April 1966. He was developed by the Howard Swink Advertising Agency of Marion, Ohio.
1978: Saf-T-Pops is acquired from Curtiss Candy Co. of Chicago, Illinois. C. Gregory Spangler, third generation family member, becomes President.
1980: The company acquires Standard the Candy Cane Company of Detroit, Michigan.
1987: Astro Pops brand is acquired from Nellson Candy Co. of Los Angeles, California.
1990: Spangler sells its subsidiary distributorship, Spangler Candy & Tobacco of Toledo to concentrate on manufacturing candy.
1995: Suck An Egg and Save-A-Sucker brands are acquired from Innovative Confections of Idaho Falls, Idaho.[3]
1996: Dean L. Spangler. third generation family member, becomes President. Spangler establishes an internet presence with a website at www.spanglercandy.com
2001: The Save Wraps for Stuff Program returns along with a new kid-focused website at www.dumdumpops.com.
2003: Spangler establishes a relationship with Imagination Confections to market Disney candies.
2005: Spangler Candy establishes the Spangler Foundation to honor the 2nd generation; provides community funds and scholarships to local area students. The Spangler Candy Company Store & Museum opens in late December.
2006: Spangler Candy celebrates its 100th year with a gala celebration on August 19, 2006. Customers, brokers, vendors, community leaders, employees, 25-Year Club members, and shareholders participate in the event. A book, "A Sweet Century: The 100-Year History of Spangler Candy Company and the Spangler Family", written by WIlliam L. Culbertson, is published.
2007: In June, the Spangler Fulfillment Center begins operation as a distribution center for the "Save Wraps for Stuff" program and website items.[4] Spangler sells its chocolate business to Key III Candies of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2008: Kirkland B. Vashaw, fourth generation family member, becomes President.
2009: Dum-Dums Facebook fan page is created in April and new Flick-A-Pop application goes live on iTunes in May.
2011: Kirk Vashaw is elected president and CEO in July. He becomes the 7th chief executive in Spangler's 105-year history.
2011: Ted Spangler, son of founder Arthur Spangler, and past director of sales, president, chief executive, and board chairman for Spangler Candy Company, dies at 92 in September. Dum-Dums become the #1 lollipop in late 2011 per IRI scan data.
2013: Spangler Candy completes its 82nd factory addition, which includes new bagging, case packout and palletizing equipment.
2014: William G. Martin is appointed president and CFO and is the first person outside the family to serve as president. Kirkland B. Vashaw remains CEO.
2016: The Spangler Fulfillment Center moves into newly expanded space in the Spangler Candy warehouse.
2016: Spangler celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Dum-Dums Drum Man with a large community mascot party, with ice cream, cake, and commemorative special label water bottles for everyone in attendance.
2018: Spangler Candy purchases the adjacent 20-acre facility owned by New Era Ohio LLC, providing additional warehouse for future growth. On Sept. 21, Spangler acquired the Necco Wafers, Sweethearts, and Canada Mints brands after the New England Confectionery Company declared bankruptcy. Spangler production of Necco Wafers resumed in May 2020, and Sweethearts relaunched for Valentine's Day 2021.
2022: Spangler Candy collaborates with the City of Bryan Municipal Utilities Department to paint eight 65-foot tall Dum-Dums on the community water tower located on the Spangler campus. The tower, painted by famed muralist Eric Henn, wins the "Tank of the Year" and "People's Choice" awards.
2023: Bit-O-Honey production begins in Bryan, Ohio in January. On June 9, 2023, a grand opening "wrapper-cutting" event is held in Bryan, with about 1000 people present.
2023: Spangler Candy World, an interactive museum, large-screen factory tour and retail store, opens in downtown Bryan in December 2023.
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