News

Sanders V.P. honored with Candy Industry’s Most Prestigious Annual Award

Clinton Township, Mich., June 1, 2016 – Sanders and Morley Candy Makers recently announced that its Vice President of Manufacturing, Mike Koch, Sr. was named the 2016 Kettle Award recipient at an awards reception held during this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo. With only four industry professionals receiving a nomination, the Kettle Award is widely considered the highest recognition an individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry can attain.

Koch expressed his gratitude during a heartfelt acceptance speech.

“They say hard work is its own reward, but to be recognized by one’s peers is the greatest honor an individual can receive,” Koch said. “Today I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of this award.”

Koch began his career with Morley Candy Makers in 1973 as a high school student sweeping and mopping the chocolate factory floors each night. Before becoming vice president of manufacturing, Koch took on several roles within the organization including candy maker, maintenance supervisor, quality control director, warehouse manager and director of research & development. In 2008, he also became part owner of the company. Under his leadership, Sanders and Morley Candy Makers became ISO certified and attained SQF Level 3 certification.

Koch’s passion for confections extends far beyond his accomplishments at Morley. He has been an active member of the Confectionery Education Advisory Board since its inception and is often a speaker and educator at Retail Confectioners International (RCI) and American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) education forums and conventions. He has also served on the RCI’s board of directors and is a past president of the organization. Furthermore, Koch recently completed his term as a board member of the National Confectioner’s Association (NCA).

Koch is a member of the NCA Candy Pac and he participates annually in the NCA’s Washington Forum, visiting members of Congress and the Senate to help promote the needs and interest of the confectionery industry.

His tireless efforts to help propel the candy industry have not gone unnoticed. Prior to receiving this year’s Kettle Award, Koch received the RCI President’s Award in 2012 and in 2013 he was inducted into the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA)’s Candy Hall of Fame.

“Many people know how much Mike has done for the candy industry, but his commitment to the local community is also quite admirable,” said Koch’s wife, Ann Marie. “He has a true passion for life and I love that he is always finding the next opportunity that will allow him to help others.”

Koch has been Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for more than 15 years and earned the Spark Plug Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He has served as chairman for the local American Cancer Societies, Relay for Life and is active in the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocacy program.

For 25 years, he has also volunteered with the Lake Shore Public Schools, serving on the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and has been the president of athletic boosters. He is the current president of Saint Clair Shores Goodfellows, an organization that is dedicated to ensuring that “No Child Goes With-Out a Christmas.” Koch is an avid sailor and sits on the North Star Sail Club’s board of directors.

Koch married Ann Marie Sadlowski in 1979, whom he met while working at Morley Candy Makers. Together they raised Sara, Michael Jr. and Matthew and have two granddaughters, Allyson and Emily.

Sanders Grows its Super Premium Ice Cream Line

Clinton Township, Mich., May 3, 2016 – Sanders announced today that it has introduced six new flavors to its line of super-premium ice cream cartons.

The introduction of new flavors comes one year after Sanders launched its fountain-style ice cream line in early 2015.

“Our initial ice cream research and development was mostly focused on reintroducing original recipes and offering a feeling of nostalgia,” said Walter Pilon, Director of Sales – Bakery & Frozen Goods at Sanders and Morley Candy Makers, Inc. “These new flavors continue to rely on quality ingredients and the fountain ice cream theme, but consumers will be delighted to find some very unique options that appeal to the latest flavor trends.”

The ice cream line extension includes familiar varieties along with signature flavors:

Mint Chocolate Chip – Cool mint ice cream with swirls of Sanders Peppermint Topping and chocolate flakes

Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie – Vanilla ice cream loaded with peanut butter caramel, chocolate chunks and cookie dough

Blueberry Pie – Blueberry ice cream swirled with blueberry filling, chocolate flakes and pieces of pie crust

Sea Salt Caramel – Sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream blended with salty caramel and chocolate flakes

Caramel Latte – Rich and creamy coffee ice cream blended with Sanders Classic Caramel Topping

Lemon Twis•Tea – Refreshing lemon and green tea flavored ice cream with candy lemon bits

As with its original ice cream flavors, Sanders formulated each new flavor with 14% butterfat and 85% overrun, allowing these extensions to also meet the industry’s standards for super-premium designation.

These new flavors can be found in 1.5-quart ice cream cartons at Sanders’ Michigan retail shoppes for $6.99. The line will be sold in retail chains in Michigan and nationally starting summer 2016. All six new super premium ice cream offerings are also available by the scoop at Sanders Chocolate & Ice Cream Shoppes, along with several other super-premium favorites.

Sanders Announces Death of Former Morley Candy President, Thomas Morley, Sr.

Clinton Township, Mich., March 1, 2016 – Sanders and Morley Candy Makers, Inc. sadly announced today that Thomas R. Morley, Sr., former Morley Candy Makers President and Chairman of the Board died on February 29, 2016 at the age of 86.

Morley was the youngest son of Ervin and Julia Morley who began Morley Candy Makers in 1919. He led the company’s continued growth in providing fundraising candies. His vision also helped strengthen the confectioner’s private label business, which ultimately led to Morley Candy Makers’ purchase of the Sanders brand in 2002.

“For over 40 years I have had the opportunity to not only work with Mr. Morley, but to have him become part of my family,” said Sanders and Morley Candy Makers Vice President of Manufacturing Mike Koch, Sr. “He was a mentor that taught me about quality products and taking care of customers. His dedication to family, friends, and employees was unmatched. He was a compassionate man that would do anything to help someone out. He will be missed by all of us at the Morley Candy Makers and the Confectionery Industry.”

In addition to his love for work and family, Morley had a passion for hunting, and was a founding member of the Pioneer Hunting Club. He also served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict.

Morley is survived by his wife, Helen E. Morley and four children Thomas Morley, Jr., Michael Morley, Sr., Daniel Morley and Mary Lynn Watts.

Visitation will be held at Kaul Funeral Home located at 28433 Jefferson in Saint Clair Shores on Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. scripture service. Instate is scheduled for Friday, March 4, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Saint Clair Shores. The community is also invited to share memories with the family online at www.kaulfuneralhome.com.

Sanders Expands its Caramel Product Offerings

Clinton Township, Mich., February 16, 2016 – Sanders recently announced its new Mini Bites and Three Piece Collection Caramels are available for national retail sale, and can be purchased in Sanders Retail Shoppes or online at www.sanderscandy.com.

The new products are extensions of Sanders sea salt caramel line, and they showcase the manufacturer’s expertise in making small batch, kettle-cooked caramel. The new Three Piece Collection packages offer consumers a gourmet alternative to regular candy bars with three generous sized caramels per package, while Mini Bites pouches feature bite-sized pieces to enjoy by the handful.

“When we first introduced our original sea salt caramels, they sparked a major phenomenon in the chocolates category,” said Brian Jefferson, Chairman and CEO of Sanders Candy. “Our newest items have the potential to create the same sort of excitement. The smaller piece size of the Mini Bites offer an entirely new eating experience, while the Three Piece Collection provides gourmet indulgence in convenience packaging.”

Both new product lines feature Sanders’ popular Milk and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. The Three Piece Collection also introduces Milk Chocolate Espresso Sea Salt Caramels with Dark Drizzle Caramels, while the Mini Bites are also offered in a new Peanut Butter Caramel flavor.

Mini Bites are available in 3.75oz self-standing, resealable pouches at a suggested retail price of $3.99. The 1.5oz Three Piece Collection packages have a suggested retail price of $1.50. Both product lines offer a clean ingredient label with no artificial additives, partially hydrogenated oils or Trans fats.

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Sanders VP nominated for confection industry’s most sought after award

Clinton Township, Mich., January 28, 2016 – Sanders and Morley Candy Makers recently announced that its Vice President of Manufacturing, Mike Koch, Sr. has been nominated for the confection industry’s prestigious Kettle Award and encouraged fans to vote for him at www.kettleawards.com.

With only four industry professionals receiving a nomination each year, the Kettle Award is widely considered the highest recognition an individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry can attain.

“Mike has shown an amazing level of dedication to our company and confections for more than four decades,” said Ron Rapson, President of Sanders and Morley Candy Makers. “We are proud to see him receive recognition for his tireless efforts to propel not only our organization, but the entire candy industry forward.”

Koch began his career with Morley Candy Makers in the early 1970’s as a young maintenance employee sweeping and mopping the chocolate factory floors. Today he is part owner of the company and acts as Vice -President of Manufacturing. Mike’s passion for his work has led to additional recognitions and achievements including:


-2012 Retail Confectioners International (RCI) President’s Award
-2013 National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA)’s Candy Hall of Fame Inductee
-Former RCI board member and past president
-Graduate of RCI’s Gus Pulakos International Candy School at Gannon University
-Member of the Confectionary Education Advisory Board since its inception
-Speaker and educator at several RCI and AACT education forums & conventions
-Member of the current NCA Board of Directors
-Member of the NCA Candy PAC


The Kettle Award was established in 1946 by Candy Industry Magazine's founder and publisher, Don Gussow. The 2016 Award reception announcing this year’s winner will be held on Tuesday, May 24th immediately following the Sweets & Snacks Expo.