Candy line and 40 jobs moving to Bryan

Jon Chavez, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio
·2 min read

May 12—BRYAN, Ohio — Spangler Candy Co., which acquired classic candy Bit-O-Honey last November from Pearson's Candy Co. of St. Paul, said it will move production of the roasted almond and honey treat to its facility in Bryan in the first half of 2022, creating 40 jobs.

For now, the product will continue to be produced in Minnesota but shipped from Spangler's warehouse in Bryan, Ohio.

"There is a lot of work to be done before Bit-O-Honey can officially move to Bryan," CEO Kirk Vashaw said in a statement. "Still, we are very excited to begin the process.

"With the many challenges we have all faced in the past year, we are excited for this opportunity to add more jobs to Bryan and provide a boost to our local economy," he added.

Before equipment is moved to Bryan, Spangler, which is a private, family-owned company, will upgrade its West Campus buildings in Bryan so they conform with production-ready, food-grade standards.

Meanwhile, the company said that unionized production, maintenance, warehouse, and sanitation workers at Spangler have ratified a new contract that runs through February, 2025, and includes the West Campus facility. Workers at Spangler have been represented by Teamsters Local 20 since 1959.

"Spangler Candy Company is very pleased to have reached this agreement with Teamsters Local 20," Bill Martin, Spangler president, said. "This new contract sets policies and procedures as well as wages and benefits in place to allow a smooth transition as we integrate the new Bit-O-Honey operation."

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Mr. Martin said the ability to move Bit-O-Honey production to Bryan was aided by a solution to the multiemployer pension plan crisis. The government's American Rescue Plan Act, approved by Congress in March, resolved the problem.

"The multi-employer pension crisis has been a roadblock to any expansion at Spangler for several years," Mr. Martin said. "The Bit-O-Honey move will help our employees, our company, and our community in a big way."

First Published May 12, 2021, 8:00am