Who We Are
Our Company
Since 1906, Spangler Candy Company has been a family-owned and operated confectionery manufacturer in Bryan, Ohio (population 8,300). Our iconic and historically significant products have inspired millions of smiles among adults and children alike for more than a century.
We employ more than 600 people, and have established a working environment where honesty, respect and teamwork guide our behavior and focus our resources. We are committed to providing fair wages and excellent benefits, including an on-site free medical clinic and tuition reimbursement.
Under our Dum-Dums(r) flagship, we are one of the largest lollipop producers in the world and the only major candy cane producer in the United States. Our other products include Bit-O-Honey, Spangler Circus Peanuts, Sweethearts, Necco Wafers, and Canada Mints.
We believe in being a positive force in our community by investing financially and through personal engagement, and by supporting community involvement by our employees. We also actively invest in projects which allow us to do more using less of the earth’s resources.
We combine hard work with innovation, honesty and compassion to compete in the confectionery marketplace, and to invest in the future for the benefit of our employees and their families, consumers, communities, and our company.
Downtown Bryan, Ohio, is home to Spangler Candy World, our interactive museum and candy store. See our current hours and plan your visit.
We are proud to be a founding member of the Candy Alliance, LLC, and an active member of the National Confectioners Association.
A Century of Sweetness
See a timeline of our growth.
1906
Spangler begins on August 20, 1906, when Arthur G. Spangler purchases the Gold Leaf Baking Company of Defiance, Ohio, for $450 and moves it to 204 W. High Street in Bryan, Ohio. The new company is named Spangler Manufacturing Company, and produces baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, laundry starch, spices and flavorings.
1908
Arthur’s brother, Ernest Spangler, joins the company and suggests adding candy to the line.
1913
The business moves to its present location on N. Portland Street in Bryan, Ohio.
1914
Third brother, Omar Spangler, joins the business and brings mechanical & bookkeeping knowledge.
1920
All products manufactured at the company are candy, so the name is changed from Spangler Manufacturing Company to Spangler Candy Company.
1922
Hard candy equipment is purchased and stick candy is manufactured. One of the most successful hard candies is a 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 the chocolate items.
A variety of 60 products are being made and shipped.
1927
A candy jobbing business and retail store is opened in Maumee, Ohio.
1939
On June 10, 1939, the worst summer storm in Bryan, Ohio’s, history swept through the north and west part of the city. Estimated damages were between $5,000 and $10,000 to the Spangler Candy Company. However, two days later, Spangler Candy resumed manufacturing operations and making shipments as the damages were being repaired.
1940
Spangler created marshmallow Circus Peanuts, its version of a popular penny candy, in 1940.
1941
Marshmallow Topping was a big item for Spangler Candy.
1945
Arthur Spangler, along with three other prominent citizens of Bryan, Ohio, drowns in Snow Lake, Indiana, while fishing.
1947
By 1947, the second generation of Spanglers joins the company.
1953
Dum-Dums® is acquired from Akron Candy Company in Bellevue, Ohio.
1954
A-Z Christmas Candy Canes is purchased from Detroit, Michigan.
1960
The second generation Spanglers now actively manage the company. Ted Spangler is president and sales manager. Harlan (Bun) 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.
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® purchased from Curtiss Candy Company in Chicago, Illinois.
C. Gregory Spangler, third generation family member, becomes President.
1987
Astro Pops® acquired from Nellson Candy Company in 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 bought from Innovative Confections in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
1996
Dean L. Spangler, third generation family member, becomes President.
Spangler establishes an internet presence at www.spanglercandy.com.
1998
Spangler’s first in-house company newsletter, the Confection Connection, is published.
1999
Spangler Candy becomes a founding member of the Candy Alliance, which consists of American Licorice, Ferrara Pan Candy Company, Goetze’s Candy Company, Necco/Stark/Haviland, and Spangler Candy Company.
2001
The Save Wraps for Stuff Program returns, along with a new kid-focused web site at www.dumdumpops.com.
Spangler enters into a co-manufacturing relationship with Sunrise Confections in Juarez, Mexico, to manufacture commodity candy canes.
An outside warehouse fire at Oberhaus Enterprises in Archbold, Ohio, destroys 110,000 cases of Spangler products, mostly Dum-Dums, with a value of $6.5 million dollars.
2003
Spangler/Imagination Confections® markets Disney candies.
2005
Spangler Candy establishes the Spangler Foundation to honor the 2nd generation; provides community funds and scholarships for 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 19th, 2006. Customers, brokers, vendors, community leaders, employees, 25-Year Club members, and shareholders participate in the event.
The 100 year book, “A Sweet Century” is published.
2007
In June, the Spangler Fulfillment Center begins operation as a distribution center for Save Wraps for Stuff and website items.
Spangler sells its chocolate business to Key III Candies of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2008
Kirkland B. Vashaw, fourth generation family member, becomes president.
2011
Kirk Vashaw is elected president and CEO in July. He becomes the 7th chief executive in our 105-year history.
Ted Spangler, son of founder Arthur Spangler, and past director of sales, president, chief executive, and board chairman for Spangler Candy Company, dies at the age of 92 in September.
Dum-Dums becomes #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
Kirk Vashaw is appointed chairman and CEO at the retirement of Dean Spangler. Later, William G. Martin is appointed president & CFO and is the first person outside of 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.
2018
Spangler Candy purchases the adjacent 20-acre facility owned by New Era Ohio LLC, providing additional warehouse for future growth.
Spangler acquires three iconic candy brands – Necco® Wafers, Sweethearts® and Canada Mints®- from the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) bankruptcy.
2020
Spangler Candy acquires the Bit-O-Honey® brand from Pearson Candy in November 2020.
2023
Spangler Candy World, an interactive museum, large-screen theater factory tour, and retail store, opens in downtown Bryan in December 2023. Kirk Vashaw remains CEO.
Join our team and help us make millions of smiles every day.
Candy Facts
Here are some interesting facts about our candy!
Spangler Candy Company is a major manufacturer of lollipops, candy canes, circus peanuts, sugar-roll candies, and chewy taffy candies.
We craft 2.7 million candy canes each day.
Flavors are regularly introduced and rotated through the Dum-Dums brand assortment to add excitement and appeal to consumers
Our candies include
Dum Dums®
16 great flavors + the Mystery Flavor™
Spangler® Candy Canes
A full line of traditional canes
Circus Peanuts
The orange peanut-shaped marshmallow candy
Necco Wafers®
The original candy wafer
Sweethearts® Candies
The original candy hearts with a message
Bit-O-Honey®
Made with real honey and almond bits
Did you know? Spangler Candy:
Has the famous Dum-Dums Drum Man® as a mascot.
Distributes products nationally through grocery, drug, mass market, club stores, dollar stores, convenience stores and candy wholesalers.
Sells products through export brokers in several international countries.
Has brands that are loved and trusted by generations of families.
Produces lollipops and candy canes that are given out by many businesses as a complimentary thank-you to their customers.
Want to purchase our candy? You can order online year-round or look for our brands at your local store. Our brands can also be found at Spangler Candy World, located in downtown Bryan, Ohio. More than just a candy store, Spangler Candy World features STEM-inspired games, interactive historical exhibits, and a big screen factory tour that’s entertaining for all ages.
Would you like to help us make millions of smiles every day? Learn more about careers at Spangler Candy Company and why we are an employer of choice in northwest Ohio.