MEMBER NEWS
Crystal Window & Door Systems is supplying 360 new energy-efficient windows for the historic PNC Building restoration in Wilkes-Barre . Installation should be completed this fall .
Lackawanna College hosted “ Cupcake Wars ” camp as a part of its summer camp series . This hands-on culinary instructional camp was designed to teach students the basics of cooking with fresh foods and ingredients while using proper culinary techniques .
Both PennDOT and the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre RailRiders recently partnered up to raise awareness during “ Back to School Safety Month .”
Family-owned chocolate manufacturer Gertrude Hawk Chocolates ( GHC ) is selling the Ingredients Division of its business to Barry Callebaut .
Barry Callebaut is the world ’ s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products , and has its head office in Zurich , Switzerland . David Hawk , the board chair , his wife , Anne , and their four children will retain the Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Retail , Fundraising and Traditional Wholesale divisions . These divisions will continue production from their location in the Keystone Industrial Park in Dunmore . Drew ’ s Organics will continue to be owned by GHC . Barry Callebaut will take over the entire Ingredients Division , including the current manufacturing building and the equipment associated with it , which produces chocolate inclusions for use in ice cream , trail mix and baking products .
Very little will change in both the retail and fundraising divisions at Gertrude Hawk Chocolates once the sale is complete this fall . A little less than half the workforce will become employees of Barry Callebaut , and the rest will remain with GHC .
Barry Callebaut has a clear vision for the Ingredients Division . Not only are they committed to keeping the current plant location in Keystone Industrial Park , they also foresee that the Ingredients Division will play a cornerstone role in their specialty and decorations business .
“ From a community perspective , this is a dream come true ,” David Hawk said . “ We have the opportunity to bring a world-renowned , state-of-the-art chocolate manufacturer to the Scranton area . How often does that happen ?”
Gertrude Hawk ’ s Ice Cream Inclusions Division was developed in 1994 as a way to continue manufacturing products throughout the summer months , which are traditionally slower for the chocolate business . After overcoming major hurdles in sales and production , the Ingredients Division evolved into a monumental success . Inclusions are sold to major food companies across the country for use in ice cream , trail mix and baking applications .
The last 23 years at Gertrude Hawk Chocolates have seen expansions and innovations that propelled the Ingredients division to $ 83 million USD in the last fiscal year , ending in June 2017 . Gertrude Hawk was first approached by Barry Callebaut about selling the Ingredients Division two years ago .
“ Barry Callebaut wants our Ingredients Division because they have the experience and contacts to continue to partner with ice cream customers and better penetrate the baking industry , a very large industry , but a business we ’ ve had only limited success with ,” Mr . Hawk said . “ Barry Callebaut has at its fingertips everything needed to continue the growth of the business , including a seasoned , highly respected sales force that calls on virtually every baker and ice cream maker of any size around the world .”
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates is a family owned and locally operated chocolate manufacturer based in Dunmore . Gertrude Jones Hawk founded the company from her Scranton home in 1936 as a fundraising business . Today it continues in fundraising and has grown to operate more than 50 retail store locations in Pennsylvania , New York and New Jersey . With annual sales of about $ 6.8 billion in 2015 / 16 , Barry Callebaut is the world ’ s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products . Based in Zurich , Switzerland , it runs more than 50 production facilities worldwide and employs more than 10,000 people .
12 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce