Pearson Candy to add St. Paul jobs
St. Paul-based Pearson Candy plans to add up to 40 jobs as it moves production of Bit-O-Honey candy from Illinois to Minnesota.
Pearson bought the brand from Nestle USA in May.
"We're certainly very excited for the potential arrival of Bit-O-Honey to St. Paul," said CEO Michael Keller. "We have to finalize a lot of details. But if we are successful in moving the assets to St. Paul and successful in hiring the employees that we need, we will have grown our employee population in St. Paul to nearly 200."
The company will host a job fair at its St. Paul plant Thursday, as it seeks cooks, mechanics and other workers. Pay ranges from about $26,000 to nearly $60,000 a year.
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The acquisition of the classic candy brand is part of Pearson's long-term plan to expand its offerings and enhance national distribution of its confections. Pearson, which is privately-held, says it has more than $50 million in annual sales.
The move of Bit-O-Honey would be funded in part by a forgivable loan of several hundred thousand dollars from the state of Minnesota.
If You Go:
WHAT: Pearson's Job Fair
WHERE: Pearson Candy Company, 2140 W. 7th Street, St. Paul, Minn.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 21, 1 to 5 p.m.