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Ring Pop has opened a new 120,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Moosic, Pennsylvania, US, following a production shutdown that threatened supply.
The new factory, nearly four times the size of its previous site, not only restores production but also increases capacity to meet rising consumer demand. With projections for 2025 set to exceed $100 million in retail sales, the candy brand is said to be 'on track for a milestone year'.
The closure of the Scranton, Pennsylvania facility on August 2024, after 47 years of operation, created uncertainty for over 100 employees. However, within months, the company managed to find a new location, relocate equipment and resume operations.
Tony Jacobs, CEO of Bazooka Brands, the parent company of Ring Pop, said: "It would not have been surprising for it to take at least a year or more to get back up and running. But we have an incredible team, and I could not be prouder of how they responded."
"In a matter of weeks, they found a new location. In a matter of months, they moved our equipment. And in just six months, the facility, our equipment and our team were fully operational again. What an unbelievable accomplishment."
The multi-million-dollar investment, supported by Apax Partners LLP, allows Bazooka to retain its existing workforce and expand production to 1.5 million Ring Pops per day.
Jocelyn Stahl, chief of global operations at Bazooka Brands, added: "Rather than seeing this challenge as a setback, our team seized the opportunity to elevate operations and prepare for the brand's exciting future. This isn't just a replacement – it's a major upgrade that will enable us to expand operations and drive Ring Pop to new heights."