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by Mox on August 3, 2023
Spangler Candy, a family-owned private company established in 1906, has been a manufacturer of beloved confectionery brands for over a century.
Known for iconic candies such as Dum Dums, Bit-O-Honey, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts and Spangler Candy Canes, they have cemented their position as a leader in the industry through their commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
In a year, Spangler handles approximately 250 projects, each involving a multitude of artwork. There are multiple components associated with each project, resulting in the creation of about 300-400 new components annually.
While some projects require only minor tweaks, such as changing a single piece of information, brand-new product launches may require the management of roughly 100 SKUs. This highlights the diverse and complex nature of Spangler Candy’s workload and the scale at which they operate.
In this case study, we explore how Spangler Candy tackled unique challenges in their packaging development process and successfully integrated Mox by Esko to enhance efficiency and collaboration.
The Challenge
Being a leading manufacturer of seasonal candies, Spangler Candy faces recurrent challenges in meeting growing customer demands. One issue revolved around packaging lead times, with customers submitting orders just prior to the season yet still expecting immediate delivery.
This impacted packaging development, resulting in longer lead times and the need for exceptional coordination.
Before Mox
Prior to implementing Mox by Esko, Spangler Candy's approach relied heavily on Outlook email communication, which proved cumbersome. Handling large artwork files through email led to mailbox congestion, and collaboration and feedback collection become convoluted.
Additionally, Spangler Candy's processes are distinct and not easily replicated elsewhere, necessitating a solution that streamlines artwork approvals and packaging development while optimizing existing resources.
After Mox
Spangler Candy recognizes packaging as an integral part of engaging consumers. According to Alli Short, Associate Product Development Manager at Spangler Candy:
"Packaging plays a pivotal role as it encompasses aesthetic appeal, conveying accurate information, and providing the protection that preserves the taste and quality of the product. It is an integral part of the overall product experience."
Their existing relationship with Esko led them to discover Mox, a scalable artwork packaging management solution that enhances efficiency. Following a successful trial period, Spangler Candy realized the benefits of Mox and elected to implement the solution.
“Having artwork approval options was the most enticing thing about Mox for us. Sending files back and forth via Outlook was inefficient. Mox removed that barrier and was much more effective” stated Short.
The Benefits of Mox
Spangler Candy successfully integrated Mox into their workflow, benefiting multiple departments within the organization, including Product Development, Marketing, and Quality Assurance.
The implementation of Mox resulted in streamlined artwork approvals, automation of manual processes, and improved clarity in communication channels. Short emphasized these benefits, saying, “Mox provides a central location for artwork approvals where everyone can add feedback to the artwork and interact with one another easily.”
Moreover, Mox stood out as a preferred partner for Spangler Candy due to its user-friendly interface and focused tools that catered to the needs of smaller teams.
The platform provided a centralized and streamlined approach, enabling Spangler Candy to gradually replace their previous processes with Mox. The ability to set due dates for tasks and track project timelines proved to be an unexpected advantage.
Spangler Candy's Future With Mox
Spangler Candy is optimistic about their future with Mox and the potential for streamlining and simplifying their operations further. They envision Mox evolving into a comprehensive project database and plan to explore its workflow capabilities, project templates, and customization options.
With the integration of Mox, Spangler Candy has overcome packaging development challenges, achieving greater efficiency and collaboration within their organization. Mox's user-friendly interface, centralized approach, and focused tools have proven to be instrumental in managing intra-company communications and automating manual processes.
As Spangler Candy continues to leverage Mox's expanding features, they are confident in enhancing their packaging workflow and driving further successes in the confectionery industry.
About Mox
Mox, developed by Esko, is a collaborative and scalable tool designed to enhance the workflow, proofing, and digital asset management of growing consumer brand teams. It serves as a powerful platform that connects teams, content, and consumers, enabling the creation of brands people love.
Tailored specifically for small to midsize teams and expanding brands, Mox leverages Esko's expertise as a global provider of solutions for the go-to-market process of packaged goods.
Drawing up Esko's extensive experience working with leading consumer product companies and their ecosystems, Mox increases productivity, reduces costs, and saves time in the content creation process.
Streamline Your Packaging Approval Workflows With Mox
Mox, the 3-in-1 packaging artwork management software, can help you boost efficiency in your project workflows, proof artwork faster, and manage your assets with ease. To learn more about how Mox can support you, request a demo today.