Candy (company)
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Candy is an Italian company based in Brugherio, near Milan, which manufactures domestic appliances.
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[edit] Early history
Candy was founded by Eden Fumagalli in 1945 and the following year, the company's first washing machines were launched at the Milan Fair.
Fumagalli's sons Enzo, Niso and Peppino took control of the company and it began to diversify, making a decisive move in 1954 when they introduced the first semi-automatic washing machine with a spin dryer. Six years later, they developed and released their first fully-automatic washer.
Candy later opened a production plant in France, its first outside of Italy, and expanded its product range to include cookers, air conditioning units, refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers.
[edit] Acquisitions and sales
In the 1970s, Candy's growth allowed them to acquire other companies beginning in Italy with Parma-based La Sovrana, a historic brand name in the cooking sector. This was followed by the purchase of the Italian division of Kelvinator, a company internationally famous for its refrigerators and freezers. Candy also drew up an agreement with Kelvinator America in 1980 allowing Italian-produced, Kelvinator-branded products to be distributed all over the world. Candy still owns the Kelvinator name in the United Kingdom and the company's Bromborough factory is still operational.
In 1985, two more successful Italian brand names join the Candy Group: Zerowatt, manufacturers of washing machines and tumble dryers, and Gasfire, specialists in built-in cookers. Three more companies were acquired by Candy in the next eight years: French built-in cooker manufacturer Rosières (1987), Spanish washing machine company Otsein (1992), and refrigeration specialists Iberna (1993).
In 1995, Candy bought the European division of The Hoover Company from its parent company Maytag, who had suffered colossal losses due to the infamous Hoover free flights promotion, which had begun in 1992, and the purchase by Candy included the acquisition of three more production plants in Wales, Scotland and Portugal.
[edit] Formula One sponsorship
As part of Candy's international expansion in the 1970s the company decided to enter the high-dollar world of Formula One. Midway through the 1979 season, Candy became the marquee sponsor for the Tyrrell team with drivers Jean-Pierre Jarier and Didier Pironi. Tyrrell enjoyed some success in 1979, finishing 4th in the Constructor's Championship, and Candy stayed on as the team's sponsor for the 1980 season. In 1981, Candy sponsored the Toleman team and was also later involved with Ligier but eventually withdrew from F1.
[edit] Present day
Today, Candy's appliances are known more through their continued marketing of the Hoover and Kelvinator brands. Hoover-branded washing machines are largely Candy designs and are made up from Candy components. As well as in Europe, Candy operates manufacturing facilities in China, Turkey, Ivory Coast, Syria, Nigeria and Egypt.
As of 2006, Candy remains a family-owned company; Peppino Fumagalli is the Chairman of the Board.
