Keller

The Keller's and Marzipan
The Keller family has been in the candy business for over 25 years. In that time we have seen many changes in what is one of the few remaining cottage industries in the United States. These changes have resulted in considerable growth for many companies and the demise of others. Many of these companies are family owned and operated, from M & M Mars down to the mom and pop stores we frequent on the main streets of America. Here is a brief history of the Keller's involvement and contribution to this cottage industry.
My father, Ralph Keller, worked for a major tobacco company for 25 years and had achieved the rank of Vice President of marketing decided that a change was in order. Looking to create a company for his wife, Rita, and himself, Ralph having quite a sweet tooth, looked into the candy industry for options. After considerable research, in 1979 he came across a small marzipan company located in Paterson, NJ called Crescent Confections.
Ralph brought his experience in manufacturing cheese in his youth and the many years of sales and marketing in the cigarette industry, as well as Rita's many years of bookkeeping experience to the table. Their knowledge of marzipan was very limited, but they found the pleasure that this wonderful product brought to the faces of people and the great history of marzipan to be extremely rewarding. This was our beginning.
In January, 1984, Charles Zehden, a small Brooklyn, NY manufacturer of marzipan approached the Kellers with an opportunity to purchase Swissart Candy. Mr. Zehden, a German transplant who had a passion for marzipan considered the Kellers to be the ideal candidate to carry on his lifetime work after his retirement. This merger brought the knowledge of Mr. Zehden and the drive of the Kellers together. The merger required a larger facility and subsequent move to Wyckoff, NJ.
In April of 1994 Biermann Marzipan Company, our largest competitor came to the Kellers with a similar offer. Biermann Marzipan established in 1934 is the oldest marzipan manufacturer in the United States. This gave the Kellers a third line with upscale and award winning packaging as well as additional manufacturing capabilities.
In 2007 we bought Johnson Candy Corp of Somerville, Mass. This merger further expanded our product line to include French Sugar Creams or Crystal Creams and gourmet jellies. As a result of this merger, we rtelocated our facility to Hawthorne, NJ.
Ralph Keller passed away on October 5th 1997, leaving behind an established and respected business. Rita remains as head of the company and matriarch to the Keller family. Royce Keller with a degree in business management, oversee daily operation and continue the family tradition.
Royce Keller
Proprietor

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