Bazooka Candy Brands, the confectionery division of The Topps Co., Inc. announced it has acquired the Sharkies® Organic Fruit Chews business from Sharkies, Inc. This acquisition enables Bazooka Candy Brands to offer consumers snack alternatives made with only natural ingredients while diversifying and strengthening its existing portfolio.
"This strategic acquisition demonstrates our intent to extend our offerings into new and relevant channels and our ability to adapt to a changing marketplace," said Mike Brandstaedter, general manager of Bazooka Candy Brands, in a prepared statement. Bazooka is best known for leading candy products Ring Pop®, Push Pop®, Baby Bottle Pop®, Juicy Drop Pop® and Bazooka® bubblegum. "Bazooka Candy Brands has recognized the shift in consumers' attitudes towards health and wellness and is changing with the times to meet their evolving needs."
Sharkies® Organic Fruit Chews, an organic, portable snack food made with only natural ingredients, are currently available at retailers nationwide and can be found in the nutrition, organic, and snack aisles.
The Topps Co., which was acquired by Michael Eisner's The Tornante Co., LLC and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC in 2007, will look to leverage its distribution and marketing capabilities to grow the brand and ignite the organic snack food product to reach its full potential.
Ryan O'Hara, CEO of The Topps Company added, "Bazooka Candy Brands is placing acquisition bets in areas that build upon our strengths and enable the company to expand into new and relevant areas. Sharkies, though a young company, has already achieved a devout following among consumers, and we are excited to add the brand to our growing roster and dive into the organic foods market."
Sharkies, Inc. was founded in 2003 by Dwight and Kelly Sinclair, competitive athletes with three active kids who wanted a great tasting, organic and portable snack made with only natural ingredients, to fuel their family's active lifestyle. With over 20 years in the food business, Dwight and Kelly first created the Sharkies adult organic fruit chews, and after four years of success, introduced Sharkies® Kid Fruit Chews in 2007.
"We're thrilled to be working with Bazooka Candy Brands, a company with a long tradition of developing iconic brands," said Dwight Sinclair, CEO of Sharkies, Inc. "We believe that by leveraging their marketing and distribution strength, we'll be better able to achieve our goal of making Sharkies a leading natural organic fruit snack brand."
