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{{Short description|Canadian candy company}}
{{more footnotes|date=March 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company
|name = Ganong Bros., Limited
|logo = [[File:Ganong logo lrg.gif]]
| name = Ganong Bros., Limited
| logo = Ganong Bros. Logo 2020-.png
|type = Privately held company
| image = GanongNewFactory.JPG
|foundation = 1873
| image_caption = Ganong Bros. factory, pictured in 2006
|founder = [[Gilbert Ganong|Gilbert W. Ganong]] &<br>[[James H. Ganong]]
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
|location = One Chocolate Drive<br>[[St. Stephen, New Brunswick|St. Stephen]] <br> [[New Brunswick]]<br>[[Canada]] |
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1873|6|5}}
|locations = Offices:<br>[[Moncton]], [[New Brunswick]]<br>[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]<br>[[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]]
| founders = {{ubl
|key_people = [[David A. Ganong]], [[David Pigott]], [[Marc Lefebvre]]
| [[Gilbert Ganong|Gilbert W. Ganong]]
|industry =
| [[James H. Ganong]]
|products = confectionery
}}
|revenue =
| hq_location = 1 Chocolate Drive
|operating_income =
| hq_location_city = [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick|St. Stephen]], [[New Brunswick]]
|net income =
| hq_location_country = Canada
|num employees = 400+
| key_people = {{ubl|Bryana Ganong<br />([[President (corporate title)|President]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Nick Ganong<br />([[Chief operating officer|COO]])}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Ganong does sweet deal with Cooke |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/business/ganong-does-sweet-deal-with-cooke-100783289/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=[[SaltWire Network]] |date=October 13, 2022}}</ref>
|homepage = http://www.ganong.com/
| industry = [[Confectionery]]
| products = [[Chocolate]] (including [[Pal-o-mine]])
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees = 300<ref>{{cite news |title=Glenn Cooke Makes 'Major' Investment In Ganong |url=https://huddle.today/2022/10/13/glenn-cooke-makes-major-investment-in-ganong/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=[[Huddle (website)|Huddle]] |date=October 13, 2022 |language=en-CA}}</ref> (2022)
| website = {{URL|https://ganong.com/}}
}}
}}
[[File:GanongFactory.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The old Ganong factory has become the Chocolate Museum, where one can learn about the history of Ganong Brothers.]]
[[File:Ganongsign.JPG|thumb|right|100px|The new Ganong factory opened in 1990, located appropriately on "Chocolate Drive"]]
[[File:GanongNewFactory.JPG|thumb|right|The new factory as it appeared in 2006]]


'''Ganong Bros., Limited''' is a Canadian [[chocolate]] and [[confectionery]] company based in [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick|St. Stephen]], [[New Brunswick]]. Founded in 1873 by brothers [[James H. Ganong|James]] and [[Gilbert Ganong]], it is the oldest company in its industry in Canada.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Brunswick’s Ganong Bros. teams up to take candy company global |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9198770/new-brunswick-ganong-taking-business-global/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=[[Global News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |date=October 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Matei |first1=Adrienne |title=Canada's Oldest Confectionery |url=https://nuvomagazine.com/palate/ganong-chocolate-factory |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=NUVO |date=February 12, 2016}}</ref> The [[Family business|family-owned company]] is in its fifth generation of ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Merotte |first1=Bertrand |title=Fifth-generation Ganong to lead iconic New Brunswick chocolate maker |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/fifth-generation-ganong-to-lead-new-brunswick-chocolate-maker/article18299007/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=April 28, 2014 |language=en-CA}}</ref> Primarily a producer of boxed chocolates and the first to introduce heart-shaped boxes,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.ganong_bros_limited.11c82a2a139cf81b9099a9d4b6bf7209.html|title=Ganong Bros., Limited|last=|first=|date=|website=Dun & Bradstreet|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> it now provides many chocolates for [[Laura Secord Chocolates|Laura Secord]] stores.
'''Ganong Bros., Limited''' is [[Canada]]'s oldest [[candy]] company. It was founded by [[James H. Ganong|James]] and [[Gilbert Ganong]] in 1873 in [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick]], where it remains. Primarily a producer of boxed chocolates, it now provides many chocolates for [[Laura Secord Chocolates|Laura Secord]] stores.


==History==
==History==
{{Multiple image
The Ganongs were descendants of [[Huguenot]]s who fled persecution in [[France]] and emigrated to [[New Amsterdam]] in the second half of the 17th century, the family name "Ganong" is a corruption of the original [[French language]] name, "Guenon".
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = JamesHarveyGanong.jpg
| image2 = Gilbert Ganong1.jpg
| footer = James (left) and Gilbert Ganong (right), the founders of the company
| total_width = 300
| alt1 = James H. Ganong
| alt2 = Gilbert Ganong
}}

Ganong Bros. Limited was founded on June 5, 1873,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ligeti |first1=Arik |last2=Lorinc |first2=Jacob |title=Morning Update: Ottawa to redraft broadcasting laws; Ford sued by late brother’s widow |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-morning-update-ottawa-to-redraft-broadcasting-laws-ford-sued-by-late/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=June 5, 2018 |language=en-CA}}</ref> as G. W. Ganong, Commission Merchant, Etc.<ref name="OttawaCitizen-1">{{cite news |last1=Enman |first1=Charles |title=Still going Ganong: After 127 years, the Ganongs still supply chocoholics. Charles Enman tells the sweet story of the N.B. family. |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/240322279/9293D83766334395PQ/6 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[The Ottawa Citizen]] |agency=[[Southam Inc.]] |date=December 29, 1999}}</ref> [[James H. Ganong]] had convinced his brother, a teacher and aspiring [[physician]] named [[Gilbert Ganong]], to start a [[grocery store]] with him in [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick|St. Stephen]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Southwick |first1=Reid |title=Old money, new blood; Savvy Succession of Ganong is part of a growing trend spreading across the country |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/423303770/3AB583B0078A44FEPQ/5 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Telegraph-Journal]] |date=July 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McCallum |first1=Margaret E. |title=Gilbert White Ganong |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gilbert-white-ganong |website=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |access-date=June 7, 2024 |language=en |date=June 2, 2008}}</ref> They advertised their opening in the ''[[Saint Croix Courier]]'',<ref name="OttawaCitizen-1"/> though the business began failing. They then started selling [[candy]] goods, then began manufacturing it themselves after struggling to get suppliers to do business with them.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ganong Bros. |url=https://search.canbarchives.ca/ganong-bros |website=Council of Archives New Brunswick |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>

In 1884, the brothers' partnership was dissolved; Gilbert maintained this business, while James left to focus on the [[St. Croix Soap Manufacturing Company]], a [[soap]] manufacturer based in the same town.<ref name="OttawaCitizen-1"/>

Ganong Bros. Limited has been one of the Canadian chocolate industry's most important companies. [[Arthur D. Ganong|Arthur Ganong]] was the first to make any sort of a wrapped chocolate bar; Ganong began [[selling]] the first chocolate bars in 1910. In 1920 they began using the [[brand name]] "[[Pal-o-Mine]]" for their chocolate bar.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}


The company also was the first to introduce a heart-shaped box of chocolates in North America. The heart-shaped boxes were originally used for presents over the Christmas season before it also succeeded around [[Valentine's Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuvomagazine.com/palate/ganong-chocolate-factory|title=Ganong Chocolate Factory|date=11 April 2020 }}</ref>
Ganong Bros. Limited has been one of the Canadian chocolate industry's most important companies. [[Arthur D. Ganong|Arthur Ganong]] was the first to make any sort of a wrapped chocolate bar; Ganong began [[selling]] the first chocolate bars in 1910. In 1920 they began using the [[brand name]] "Pal-o-Mine" for their chocolate bar.


In 1911, Ganong Bros. purchased the bankrupt White Candy Company in [[Saint John, New Brunswick]] and operated a factory there until 1931. In 1988, due to the rising costs of production, a plant was built in [[Bangkok, Thailand]], due to lower labor costs and the close proximity to raw ingredients, and equipment from the St. Stephen factory was shipped there. The majority of the products from this factory is shipped to Canada.<ref>''Candymaking in Canada'', David Carr, p. 106-107, [[Dundurn Group|The Dundurn Group]], 2003.</ref> In 1990, a new factory was opened on Chocolate Drive, St. Stephen and continues to produce to this day. The old factory eventually became the Chocolate Museum.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
The company also was the first to introduce a heart-shaped box of chocolates in North America. The heart-shaped boxes were originally used for presents over the Christmas season before it also succeeded around [[Valentine's Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuvomagazine.com/palate/ganong-chocolate-factory|title=Ganong Chocolate Factory}}</ref>


In 1997, the company acquired the manufacturing and marketing license for [[fruit snack]]s under the [[Sunkist Fun Fruits|Sunkist brand]] in Canada from [[Sunkist Growers, Incorporated|Sunkist]] as well as [[Lipton]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tiffany |first1=Susan |title=Ganong Bros.-- 125 years of sweet success |journal=Candy Industry |date=February 1998 |volume=163 |issue=2 |pages=20-23 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/218752072/FC531284A5574EDBPQ/2 |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pacyniak |first1=Bernard |title=Perfect timing |journal=Candy Industry |date=February 2003 |volume=168 |issue=2 |pages=18-25 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/218753590/FC531284A5574EDBPQ/1 |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>
In 1911, Ganong Bros. purchased the bankrupt [[White Candy Company]] in [[Saint John, New Brunswick]] and operated a factory there until 1931.


===Today===
===Today===
[[File:Ganong logo lrg.gif|thumb|Ganong Bros. logo from 2006–2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Helping Canadians celebrate their sweetest moments. |url=https://ganong.com/helping-canadiens-celebrate-their-sweetest-moments/ |website=Ganong Bros. |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>]]
In 2008, for the first time in its history, Ganong selected a president and CEO from outside the family. Doug Ettinger, who had been a senior executive in the food industry for 20 years, was approved by the Ganong board of directors as the top executive of Canada’s oldest candy company.
[[File:Ganongsign.JPG|thumb|right|100px|The new Ganong factory opened in 1990, located appropriately on "Chocolate Drive"]]
In 2008, for the first time in its history, Ganong selected a president and CEO from outside the family. Doug Ettinger, who had been a senior executive in the food industry for 20 years, was approved by the Ganong board of directors as the top executive of Canada’s oldest candy company.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}


In 2015, the first female CEO was appointed: Bryana Ganong, part of the fifth generation of Ganongs. David Ganong maintains an advisory role on the company’s board and remains the controlling shareholder.<ref>http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1068765.html N.B. candy company to select boss outside family for first time</ref>
In 2015, the first female CEO was appointed: Bryana Ganong, part of the fifth generation of Ganongs. David Ganong maintains an advisory role on the company’s board and remains the controlling shareholder.<ref>http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1068765.htmlN.B. candy company to select boss outside family for first time {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328135719/http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1068765.html |date=2012-03-28 }}</ref>


'''Company heads'''
'''Company heads'''
Line 43: Line 63:
* [[R. Whidden Ganong]], president 1957–1977
* [[R. Whidden Ganong]], president 1957–1977
* [[David A. Ganong]], president 1977–2008
* [[David A. Ganong]], president 1977–2008
* [[Doug Ettinger]], president 2008 to 2012
* Doug Ettinger, president 2008 to 2012
* [[David A. Ganong]], president 2012 –2014
* [[David A. Ganong]], president 2012 –2014
* [[Bryana Ganong]], president 2014 to present
* Bryana Ganong, president 2014 to present


==Chocolate Museum==
==Chocolate Museum==
[[File:GanongFactory.JPG|thumb|right|300px|The old Ganong factory has become the Chocolate Museum, where one can learn about the history of Ganong Brothers.]]
Ganong's long history is showcased at its Chocolate Museum (Fr:''Le Musée du Chocolat'') which opened in 1999 in their old factory building in [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick]]. Exhibits describe the Ganong brothers and the company, and include hands-on and interactive displays about the process of making chocolate and candies historically and currently, and a display of historic chocolate boxes and antique candy-making equipment. Visitors can also taste chocolate samples. The building also houses the Ganong Chocolatier company store.
Ganong's long history is showcased at its Chocolate Museum (Fr:''Le Musée du Chocolat'') which opened in 1999 in their old factory building in [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick]]. Exhibits describe the Ganong brothers and the company, and include hands-on and interactive displays about the process of making chocolate and candies historically and currently, and a display of historic chocolate boxes and antique candy-making equipment. Visitors can also taste chocolate samples. The building also houses the Ganong Chocolatier company store.


In conjunction with the community, the museum co-hosts the St. Stephen Chocolate Festival, which has been held since 1985.<ref>http://www.chocolatemuseum.ca/home.htm</ref> In 2000 the town was registered as "Canada's Chocolate Town".
In conjunction with the community, the museum co-hosts the annual St. Stephen Chocolate Festival, which has been held since 1985.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chocolatemuseum.ca/home.htm |title=Welcome to the Chocolate Museum |access-date=2009-12-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903090216/http://www.chocolatemuseum.ca/home.htm |archive-date=2009-09-03 }}</ref> In 2000 the town was registered as "Canada's Chocolate Town".


==Products==
==Products==

[[Pal-o-mine|Pal-o-Mine]], a soft fudge, coconut and peanut bar covered in dark chocolate introduced in 1920 and still being made today, is Ganong's oldest product.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
! Product
! Introduced
! Description
|-
| '''[[Chicken Bones]]'''
| 1885<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Julia |title=The story behind the weirdest Maritime Christmas candy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/chicken-bones-candy-ganong-st-stephen-1.4454303 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[CBC News]] |date=December 24, 2017}}</ref>
| Dark chocolate surrounded by cinnamon-flavored candy
|-
| '''Delecto'''
| 1917
| Boxed chocolates
|-
| '''Hillcrest'''
|
| "Nearly Perfect" assorted chocolates and chocolate cherries. An economy brand of chocolates
|-
| '''[[Pal-o-mine|Pal-o-Mine]]'''
| 1920<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Julia |title=What the heck happened to the Pal-O-Mine bar? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pal-o-mine-ganong-st-stephen-chocolate-1.6468126 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[CBC News]] |date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>
| A soft fudge, coconut and peanut bar covered in dark chocolate
|-
| '''Red Wrap'''
|
| Originally, a 5 lb box of assorted milk and dark chocolates. Usually available during the [[Christmas season]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Alison |title=Its Christmas season year-round at Ganongs; The candy factory starts planning a year ahead for the Yuletide season when it sells more than 80 per cent of its boxed chocolates |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/423107736/EE8062D17800453BPQ/3 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Telegraph-Journal]] |date=December 22, 1999}}</ref> Originally named "Ganong's Best" (GB),<ref>{{cite news |title=Holiday lunch roundup: Days 1 through 5 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1851975209/6B59F6A2721B40A7PQ/1 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Telegraph-Journal]] |date=December 24, 2016}}</ref> the nickname "Red Wrap" (due to the red packaging) was officially adopted as the name in the 2000s (decade)
|-
| '''[[Sunkist Fun Fruits|Sunkist]] fruit snacks'''
| 1997
| [[Sunkist Growers, Incorporated|Sunkist]]-branded [[fruit snack]]s, of which Ganong Bros. is the official licensee in Canada
|}

===Discontinued products===
====Mints====
Ganong Bros.'s "double-thick" [[wintergreen]] [[Mint (candy)|mint]]s were, until being discontinued in 2019,<ref name="CBC-mints">{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=That sucks: Ganong drops classic double-thick mints |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ganong-mints-discontinued-1.5039136 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[CBC News]] |date=March 1, 2019}}</ref> manufactured by the company since around 1889.<ref name="Courier-mints">{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Sari |title=Ganong peppermints back by popular demand, for a limited time |url=https://stcroixcourier.ca/ganong-peppermints-back-by-popular-demand-for-a-limited-time/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Saint Croix Courier]] |date=February 24, 2021}}</ref> They came in white and pink colours, were particularly larger than the average mint candy, and were [[Food coating|coated]] with a powder.<ref name="CBC-mints"/> Since the company used traditional "[[Antique|antiquated equipment]]," manufacturing the mints had grown to be too costly. In 2021, they were temporarily re-released for a limited time.<ref name="Courier-mints"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sirois |first1=Stephanie |title=N.B. Favourite Returns In A New Form |url=https://www.919thebend.ca/2021/02/15/n-b-favourite-returns-in-a-new-form/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[CKNI-FM]] |date=February 15, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
====Fruitland Chews====
Fruitland Chews were a line of jelly fruit snacks<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Sandy |title=Candy business growing strong |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/412640144/138FED595A145E8PQ/1 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Gleaner]] |date=September 15, 1998}}</ref> that Ganong Bros. began manufacturing in 1989,<ref name="Transcript-chews">{{cite news |last1=Ferguson |first1=Heather |title=Ganong Bros. Limited has a rich, sweet history |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/750105620/138FED595A145E8PQ/2 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Times & Transcript]] |date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> as a means of competing against the dominating [[Betty Crocker]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Entrepreneur |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post/148886176/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[National Post]] |date=December 24, 2004 |page=76}}</ref> They used [[Purée|fruit purée]] to make them.<ref name="Transcript-chews"/> The line was merged in 1997 when Ganong Bros. acquired the rights for Sunkist in Canada.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Burn |first1=Doug |title=Sweet exports soar |journal=Food in Canada |date=May 2003 |volume=63 |issue=4 |pages=52-54 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/224353059/138FED595A145E8PQ/4 |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|Food|History}}
{{Portal|Food|History}}
* [[Laura Secord Chocolates]]
* [[Laura Secord Chocolates]]
* [[List of food and beverage museums]]
* [[List of food and beverage museums]]
* [[Purdy's Chocolates]]
* [[Purdy's Chocolates]]
* [[J. Howard Crocker]], machinist at Ganong Bros.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* Craigs, Melodie. ''Ganong, The Candy Family'' (1984) Literacy Council of Fredericton {{ISBN|0-920333-16-8}}
* Craigs, Melodie. ''Ganong, The Candy Family'' (1984) Literacy Council of Fredericton {{ISBN|0-920333-16-8}}
* Folster, David. ''The Chocolate Ganongs of St. Stephen, New Brunswick'' (1991) [[Goose Lane Editions]] {{ISBN|0-86492-115-2}}
* Folster, David. ''The Chocolate Ganongs of St. Stephen, New Brunswick'' (1991) [[Goose Lane Editions]] {{ISBN|0-86492-115-2}}
Line 68: Line 126:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.cbc.ca/wordsatlarge/features/feature.php?storyId=247 ''It Wouldn't Be Christmas without Chicken Bones'' (Excerpt: Ganong, by David Folster)]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/wordsatlarge/features/feature.php?storyId=247 ''It Wouldn't Be Christmas without Chicken Bones'' (Excerpt: Ganong, by David Folster)]
* [http://www.ganong.com/ Official company website]
* [http://www.ganong.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.chocolatemuseum.ca/ The Chocolate Museum]
* [http://www.chocolatemuseum.ca/ The Chocolate Museum]


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Chocolate companies]]

[[Category:Food and drink companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian chocolate companies]]
[[Category:Canadian brands]]
[[Category:Canadian brands]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1873]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1873]]
[[Category:Ganong family]]
[[Category:Ganong family]]
[[Category:St. Stephen, New Brunswick]]
[[Category:St. Stephen, New Brunswick]]
[[Category:Companies based in New Brunswick]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Family-owned companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies based in New Brunswick]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in New Brunswick]]

Latest revision as of 17:14, 7 June 2024

Ganong Bros., Limited
Company typePrivate
IndustrieConfectionery
GegründetJune 5, 1873; 151 years ago (1873-06-05)
Founders
Hauptsitz1 Chocolate Drive,
St. Stephen, New Brunswick
,
Kanada
Key people
[1]
ProdukteChocolate (including Pal-o-mine)
Number of employees
300[2] (2022)
Websiteganong.com

Ganong Bros., Limited is a Canadian chocolate and confectionery company based in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Founded in 1873 by brothers James and Gilbert Ganong, it is the oldest company in its industry in Canada.[3][4] The family-owned company is in its fifth generation of ownership.[5] Primarily a producer of boxed chocolates and the first to introduce heart-shaped boxes,[6] it now provides many chocolates for Laura Secord stores.

History

[edit]
James H. Ganong
Gilbert Ganong
James (left) and Gilbert Ganong (right), the founders of the company

Ganong Bros. Limited was founded on June 5, 1873,[7] as G. W. Ganong, Commission Merchant, Etc.[8] James H. Ganong had convinced his brother, a teacher and aspiring physician named Gilbert Ganong, to start a grocery store with him in St. Stephen.[9][10] They advertised their opening in the Saint Croix Courier,[8] though the business began failing. They then started selling candy goods, then began manufacturing it themselves after struggling to get suppliers to do business with them.[11]

In 1884, the brothers' partnership was dissolved; Gilbert maintained this business, while James left to focus on the St. Croix Soap Manufacturing Company, a soap manufacturer based in the same town.[8]

Ganong Bros. Limited has been one of the Canadian chocolate industry's most important companies. Arthur Ganong was the first to make any sort of a wrapped chocolate bar; Ganong began selling the first chocolate bars in 1910. In 1920 they began using the brand name "Pal-o-Mine" for their chocolate bar.[citation needed]

The company also was the first to introduce a heart-shaped box of chocolates in North America. The heart-shaped boxes were originally used for presents over the Christmas season before it also succeeded around Valentine's Day.[12]

In 1911, Ganong Bros. purchased the bankrupt White Candy Company in Saint John, New Brunswick and operated a factory there until 1931. In 1988, due to the rising costs of production, a plant was built in Bangkok, Thailand, due to lower labor costs and the close proximity to raw ingredients, and equipment from the St. Stephen factory was shipped there. The majority of the products from this factory is shipped to Canada.[13] In 1990, a new factory was opened on Chocolate Drive, St. Stephen and continues to produce to this day. The old factory eventually became the Chocolate Museum.[citation needed]

In 1997, the company acquired the manufacturing and marketing license for fruit snacks under the Sunkist brand in Canada from Sunkist as well as Lipton.[14][15]

Heute

[edit]
Ganong Bros. logo from 2006–2020[16]
The new Ganong factory opened in 1990, located appropriately on "Chocolate Drive"

In 2008, for the first time in its history, Ganong selected a president and CEO from outside the family. Doug Ettinger, who had been a senior executive in the food industry for 20 years, was approved by the Ganong board of directors as the top executive of Canada’s oldest candy company.[citation needed]

In 2015, the first female CEO was appointed: Bryana Ganong, part of the fifth generation of Ganongs. David Ganong maintains an advisory role on the company’s board and remains the controlling shareholder.[17]

Company heads

Chocolate Museum

[edit]
The old Ganong factory has become the Chocolate Museum, where one can learn about the history of Ganong Brothers.

Ganong's long history is showcased at its Chocolate Museum (Fr:Le Musée du Chocolat) which opened in 1999 in their old factory building in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Exhibits describe the Ganong brothers and the company, and include hands-on and interactive displays about the process of making chocolate and candies historically and currently, and a display of historic chocolate boxes and antique candy-making equipment. Visitors can also taste chocolate samples. The building also houses the Ganong Chocolatier company store.

In conjunction with the community, the museum co-hosts the annual St. Stephen Chocolate Festival, which has been held since 1985.[18] In 2000 the town was registered as "Canada's Chocolate Town".

Produkte

[edit]
Produkt Introduced Description
Chicken Bones 1885[19] Dark chocolate surrounded by cinnamon-flavored candy
Delecto 1917 Boxed chocolates
Hillcrest "Nearly Perfect" assorted chocolates and chocolate cherries. An economy brand of chocolates
Pal-o-Mine 1920[20] A soft fudge, coconut and peanut bar covered in dark chocolate
Red Wrap Originally, a 5 lb box of assorted milk and dark chocolates. Usually available during the Christmas season.[21] Originally named "Ganong's Best" (GB),[22] the nickname "Red Wrap" (due to the red packaging) was officially adopted as the name in the 2000s (decade)
Sunkist fruit snacks 1997 Sunkist-branded fruit snacks, of which Ganong Bros. is the official licensee in Canada

Discontinued products

[edit]

Mints

[edit]

Ganong Bros.'s "double-thick" wintergreen mints were, until being discontinued in 2019,[23] manufactured by the company since around 1889.[24] They came in white and pink colours, were particularly larger than the average mint candy, and were coated with a powder.[23] Since the company used traditional "antiquated equipment," manufacturing the mints had grown to be too costly. In 2021, they were temporarily re-released for a limited time.[24][25]

Fruitland Chews

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Fruitland Chews were a line of jelly fruit snacks[26] that Ganong Bros. began manufacturing in 1989,[27] as a means of competing against the dominating Betty Crocker.[28] They used fruit purée to make them.[27] The line was merged in 1997 when Ganong Bros. acquired the rights for Sunkist in Canada.[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ganong does sweet deal with Cooke". SaltWire Network. October 13, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Glenn Cooke Makes 'Major' Investment In Ganong". Huddle. October 13, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "New Brunswick's Ganong Bros. teams up to take candy company global". Global News. The Canadian Press. October 14, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  4. ^ Matei, Adrienne (February 12, 2016). "Canada's Oldest Confectionery". NUVO. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Merotte, Bertrand (April 28, 2014). "Fifth-generation Ganong to lead iconic New Brunswick chocolate maker". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Ganong Bros., Limited". Dun & Bradstreet.
  7. ^ Ligeti, Arik; Lorinc, Jacob (June 5, 2018). "Morning Update: Ottawa to redraft broadcasting laws; Ford sued by late brother's widow". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Enman, Charles (December 29, 1999). "Still going Ganong: After 127 years, the Ganongs still supply chocoholics. Charles Enman tells the sweet story of the N.B. family". The Ottawa Citizen. Southam Inc. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  9. ^ Southwick, Reid (July 19, 2008). "Old money, new blood; Savvy Succession of Ganong is part of a growing trend spreading across the country". Telegraph-Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  10. ^ McCallum, Margaret E. (June 2, 2008). "Gilbert White Ganong". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Ganong Bros". Council of Archives New Brunswick. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "Ganong Chocolate Factory". April 11, 2020.
  13. ^ Candymaking in Canada, David Carr, p. 106-107, The Dundurn Group, 2003.
  14. ^ Tiffany, Susan (February 1998). "Ganong Bros.-- 125 years of sweet success". Candy Industry. 163 (2): 20–23. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  15. ^ Pacyniak, Bernard (February 2003). "Perfect timing". Candy Industry. 168 (2): 18–25. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "Helping Canadians celebrate their sweetest moments". Ganong Bros. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  17. ^ http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1068765.htmlN.B. candy company to select boss outside family for first time Archived 2012-03-28 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Welcome to the Chocolate Museum". Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  19. ^ Wright, Julia (December 24, 2017). "The story behind the weirdest Maritime Christmas candy". CBC News. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  20. ^ Wright, Julia (May 30, 2022). "What the heck happened to the Pal-O-Mine bar?". CBC News. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  21. ^ Hughes, Alison (December 22, 1999). "Its Christmas season year-round at Ganongs; The candy factory starts planning a year ahead for the Yuletide season when it sells more than 80 per cent of its boxed chocolates". Telegraph-Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  22. ^ "Holiday lunch roundup: Days 1 through 5". Telegraph-Journal. December 24, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Ibrahim, Hadeel (March 1, 2019). "That sucks: Ganong drops classic double-thick mints". CBC News. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Green, Sari (February 24, 2021). "Ganong peppermints back by popular demand, for a limited time". Saint Croix Courier. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Sirois, Stephanie (February 15, 2021). "N.B. Favourite Returns In A New Form". CKNI-FM. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  26. ^ Morgan, Sandy (September 15, 1998). "Candy business growing strong". The Daily Gleaner. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Ferguson, Heather (September 10, 2010). "Ganong Bros. Limited has a rich, sweet history". Times & Transcript. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  28. ^ "Entrepreneur". National Post. December 24, 2004. p. 76. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  29. ^ Burn, Doug (May 2003). "Sweet exports soar". Food in Canada. 63 (4): 52–54. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
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