Graham Dyer, Sales and Marketing Director at Bon Bon Buddies
Bon Bon Buddies, Europe’s leading licensed character confectionery company, has secured a major new contract to be the UK distributor of products from prestigious Italian confectioner, Zaini.
Based in south Wales, Bon Bon Buddies already distributes Zaini products in France and Poland, but will now be bringing an extended range of products to the UK market.
The UK Zaini range includes Spiderman, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Disney Frozen chocolate surprise eggs available as part of Bon Bon Buddies’ all year round offering. In addition, a seasonal range of Christmas character confectionery will be introduced later in the year and is expected to include a Mickey Mouse chocolate surprise egg, sold in single and four-pack units, and a novelty chocolate treat with a Christmas tree gift.
Headquartered in Milan, Zaini is a household name in its native Italy and last year celebrated its 100th year in business. It aims to provide a top-end product to the mass market, by only using high quality chocolate and working with the most prestigious and recognisable licensing partners.
The Italian market currently accounts for 60% of its turnover, with its export business growing and currently including more than 75 countries worldwide. It is present all over Europe and has a particularly strong presence in the Far East, Middle East, Australia and Canada.
Zaini has not distributed in the UK since 2011, having previously supplied a small number of chocolate surprise eggs to the UK impulse channel, as well as providing vitamin candies to the British Army as part of its pharmaceutical line. This new contract with Bon Bon Buddies marks its first long term project within the UK market, working towards building a comprehensive distribution network.
Graham Dyer, Bon Bon Buddies, said: “Fifteen per cent of our business involves distribution on behalf of our third party partners, and we are proud to work with a number of the biggest names in the industry, including PEZ sweets and Ritter Sport. It’s now great to be adding Zaini to this list, whose high standards of production and diverse product range are already extremely respected in the marketplace.
“We are confident that the products will be a hit with buyers and consumers across the retail market, and they have been really well received by the trade so far. People have particularly praised the quality of the products and chocolate.”
Giacomo Sessa, export manager at Zaini said, “We are very excited to make this strategic move into the UK market with Bon Bon Buddies. Bon Bon Buddies is one of the UK’s most strategic and professional distributors, and already has an excellent in-depth knowledge of the UK market and licensing environment.
“Our long term aim is to build our presence across all UK market sectors, growing distribution year on year. We definitely see Bon Bon Buddies as a long term strategic partner in achieving this goal. Judging from the positive feedback received so far, its track record of success looks set to continue.”
Bon Bon Buddies was established in 1993 and, and now provides character confectionery to 40 countries worldwide, with eight dedicated European sales and logistics facilities with further distribution in Central Eastern Europe, China and the Middle East.
The company has won the highly esteemed Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International trade in recognition of its outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade and sustainable development.
