Profits to treble: Management shakeup at Bon Bon Buddies

24-Apr-2016 - Last updated on 25-Apr-2016 at 11:05 GMT

Justin Thomas (left) named Bon Bon Buddies MD, Graham Dyer (center) becomes group sales, licensing and marketing director, while Joanne Manfield (right) promoted to finance director.

Wales-based licensed and branded confectionery firm Bon Bon Buddies has named a revamped executive team including a new managing director as it anticipates record-high profits.

The company said in a release it plans to grow its ‘all year round’ business, including own-brand products, to 60% of turnover under a five-year strategy.

It expects a record year in 2015/16 with sales up over 10% and profit growth of over 300%.

Changing of the guard

Justin Thomas has been appointed MD of the Surprize Qube and Brain Blasterz maker, said the firm.

He previously served as purchasing and logistics director and has spent 16 years at the company.

Former managing director and founder Chris Howarth has now become chairman after 20 years leading the firm.

The confectioner has also appointed Perfetti Van Melle’s former general manager for Chupa Chups UK Graham Dyer as its group sales, licensing and marketing director. Dyer joined Bon Bon Buddies as UK sales director from Perfetti in 2007.

Bon Bon Bon Buddies’ group financial controller Joanne Manfield has also been promoted to finance director.

Profile: Bon Bon Buddies

Bon Bon Buddies was founded by Howarth in 1993. The company has licensing deals with entertainment and toy brands such as Disney, Nintendo and Hasbro to produce character confectionery.

It also sells its own brands such as Nanobytes and the Bon Bon Buddies brand.

The firm has eight European sales and logistics facilities and has distribution in international markets such as China and UAE.