Wolfgang Candy Co., one of the oldest family-owned confectionery companies in America, announced the resignation of president and ceo Ben McGlaughlin, effective Dec. 31.“He [McGlaughlin] has led us through some very challenging times and has been instrumental in forging the customer relationships that have driven our recent growth and poised us for future long-term success,” says Mike Stillman, chairman.
McGlaughlin, the great-grandson of Wolfgang’s founders, says he has fond memories of working alongside his father and grandfather making candy at the plant. He has been with Wolfgang for 13 years and served as ceo for eight years. As ceo, McGlaughlin led Wolfgang to grow significantly through sales channel diversification, new key customer partnerships and obtaining Wolfgang’s new 60,000-sq.-ft. production facility in Loganville, Pa.
“When I stepped into the ceo role, I took over a business that was in crisis and desperately in need of a restructure,” McGlaughlin says. “We worked hard, refined business practices, secured external investment and diversified our sales channels.”
McGlaughlin took the position of ceo in 2008 with the desire to turn around his family’s company but intended to step down once a turnaround was realized. With the growing success of the Loganville operations, McGlaughlin decided it was the right time to step down.
Mike Stillman, chairman of the board, will assume the role of ceo, and Sam Miller, chief operating officer, will become president effective Jan. 1. The Stillman Family, majority owner of Wolfgang, provided funding during the company’s restructuring and continues to support Wolfgang.
“I am extremely optimistic about Wolfgang’s future success led by Mike and Sam as we build on the accomplishments of the last few years,” McGlaughlin says.
McGlaughlin will retain his board seat and ownership stake in the business and will provide transition support. He’ll spend the first several months of 2017 taking steps toward solidifying his next position.
