ECONOMY
PROFESSIONALS
zelnut truffles and almonds covered with
dark chocolate.
Madelaine, started in 1949 by brothers-
in-law Henry Kaye and Jack Gold, makes
specialty candies with designs for holi-
days, events and everyday pleasures.
The molds were inspired by forms seen
in the Netherlands as the brothers-in-law
were launching their business. The foils are
obtained through artisans in Italy, where
the wrappings join one-of-a-kind visuals
with material strength as they protect
each confection.
"We are very pleased that all the candy
is made in America at a time when the
economy counts a large number among
its unemployed," says Kayla Kaye, part of
a workforce that can include 500 candy
makers, wrappers and office staff, depend-
ing on the time of year.
"Our factory is 200,000 square feet.
There are eight production kitchens and 14
molding lines. Each year, some 20 million
pounds of chocolate can flow through our
building and head out to destinations as far
away as the United Kingdom and Japan."
The chocolate is not compounded, Kaye
explains. Madelaine uses real ingredients,
including milk and cocoa. While all the
products are strictly kosher, individual
product lines cater to secular and Christian
celebrations.
One of the best-known confections is a
chocolate Thanksgiving turkey with a foil
especially made to capture the colorful
and positive spirit of the day.
Easter eggs actually helped launch the
business and are sold locally at Macy's.
Among the area stores that also offer Mad-
elaine products are Morley Candy Makers/
Sanders Brands facilities and 7-Eleven,
where Mother's Day roses will be available.
Some products are sugar-free.
"Our Chanukah coins are sold at Bed,
Bath & Beyond; I used the coin mold to
make guests gifts for our wedding in 2006
at the Dearborn Inn," Kaye recalls. "We im-
printed both the gold foil wrappings and
the chocolates with our monogram and
placed them in small, gold organza bags.
"Party givers who want to send guests
off with candy can buy our bulk lines ac-
cording to the themes of the events, such
as sports, geography or cars, the last actu-
ally perfect for Metro Detroiters.
"I work with brokers all over the country,
helping them with larger customers and
retailers,"explains Kaye, who met her hus-
band at a Shabbat lunch given by a mutual
friend. "We do trade shows, and that fits
right in with the event planning I did daily.
"Our recent goal has been more brand
recognition among consumers. Wholesal-
ers and retailers know who we are, but
there are many consumers who do not
know the brand because our candies also
are sold under private labels."
While Madelaine offers boxed choco-
lates and candy bars, Valentine's Day
choices also include hearts and lips in
different containers.
"Who doesn't love chocolate?" Kaye asks
as she goes into work five days a week and
always gives chocolates as hostess gifts
and special occasion mementoes.
When visiting Michigan, she takes along
chocolates for family and longtime friends.
The visits — and the chocolates — are
welcomed by Kaye's mom.
"Jewish mothers are known for wanting
their daughters to marry doctors," says
Hedy Jacobson, a longtime chocoholic."I
can tell other mothers of grown daughters
that candy manufacturers are much bet-
ter!'
www.redthreadmagazine.com
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RED MID I February 2012 15