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Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

Oakland’s Sconza Candy Company, a maker of premium candy products for
nearly 70 years, has identified that it plans to purchase the former Hershey
chocolate plant in Oakdale, moving its operations from Oakland. The move
will allow it to expand operations to meet increased demand for its premium
candy products, the company says.

The 300,000 square foot candy manufacturing facility is on 70 acres of land.
The move will allow Sconza Candy to consolidate its operations under one roof,
the company says. Currently the company occupies three separate locations in
Oakland.

“The plant is ideal for candy production and, in addition, is conveniently located
at the source of our major ingredients including chocolate, sugar, nuts and fruit,”
says Jim Sconza, CEO. “This move will enable us to continue the tradition of quality
that my father established 69 years ago.”

Sconza is a third generation, family-owned, candy manufacturing company founded
in 1939. It makes an assortment of confections and specializes in gourmet chocolate
coated nuts and fruit, toffee covered nuts, Jordan almonds, and other panned candy.

The purchase is expected to be final on May 1, with candy production expected to
start at the Oakdale plant beginning Oct. 1. The plant initially will employ about 100
workers. Financial details of the deal were not announced.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.

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