A timeline of notable events in our history from 1906 to the present.
1900
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.
1910
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.
Spangler now manufactures the following: Creme Peanut Clusters, Cocoanut Balls, Bryan Drops, hand dipped chocolates, chocolate bars, ice cream cones, soda pop and cough drops.
1920
1920
All products manufactured at the company are candy, so the name is changed from Spangler Manufacturing Company to Spangler Candy Company.
1927
A candy jobbing business and retail store is opened in Maumee,Ohio.
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.
1930
1939
On June 10, 1939 the worst summer storm in Bryan, Ohio’s history swept 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
1940
Spangler created their Marshmallow Circus Peanuts, their version of a popular penny candy, in 1940.
1946
The company is reorganized from a partnership to a corporation.
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.
1950
1953
Dum Dums® acquired from Akron Candy Company in Bellevue, Ohio.
1954
A-Z Christmas Candy Canes purchased from Detroit, Michigan
1960
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.
1970
1978
Saf-T-Pops® purchased from Curtiss Candy Company in Chicago, Illinois.
C. Gregory Spangler, third generation family member, becomes President.
1980
1987
Astro Pops® acquired from Nellson Candy Company in Los Angeles, California.
1990
1990
Spangler sells its subsidiary distributorship, Spangler Candy & Tobacco of Toledo to concentrate on manufacturing candy.
1996
Dean L. Spangler, third generation member, becomes President.
Spangler establishes an internet presence at www.spanglercandy.com
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.
1995
Suck An Egg and Save-A-Sucker bought from Innovative Confections in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
1998
Spangler's first company newsletter, the Confection Connection, is published.
2000
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.
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 participated in the event.
The 100 year book, "A Sweet Century" is published.
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 Company Store & Museum opens in late December.
2007
In June, the Spangler Fulfillment Center begins operation as a distribution center for Save Wraps for Stuff and web site items.
Spangler sells its chocolate business to Key III Candies of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2008
Kirkland B. Vashaw, fourth generation family member, becomes President.
2010
2013
Spangler Candy completes its 82nd factory addition - which includes new bagging, case packout and palletizing equipment.
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, passes away at the age of 92 in September.
Dum Dums becomes #1 lollipop in late 2011 per IRI scan data.
2014
Kirk B Vashaw is appointed Chairman and CEO at the retirement of Dean L. 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 new 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 has acquired three iconic candy brands - Necco® Wafers, Sweethearts®, and Canada Mints® from the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) bankruptcy.
2020
2020
Spangler Candy acquires the Bit-O-Honey® brand from Pearson Candy in November 2020.
