RM Palmer history

In 1951, Palmer moved operations to a 50,000-square-foot plant in Reading, Pennsylvania, then the center of the worldwide Easter candy business.

In 1956, the company purchased the candy division of the Johnson Biscuit Company, claiming the rights to the popular La Fama candy brand.

By 1958, the company had outgrown its second facility and moved on to a third, a 120,000-square-foot building in West Reading, Pennsylvania.

1959 The Company once again relocates, this time to their current home office of 77 South Second Avenue, West Reading, Pa.

1965 Production began in Building 2, the building right next to the main building in West Reading where the Company’s product line now included 30-40 Easter items, Palmer’s biggest holiday.

1966 A modern 60,000 square foot Distribution Center was built in Berkshire Heights.

Christmas items were introduced in 1967, Palmer’s second venture away from Easter.

In 1969, the fruit company closed its doors, allowing the Palmer Company to focus its energy on the candy business.

In 1970, it was the first to introduce flavor combinations, such as peanut butter-, caramel-, mint-, and fudge-filled chocolates, into the seasonal novelty business.

1972 Richard M. Palmer Jr. follows his father’s footsteps and joins the family candy business after earning degrees in Industrial Engineering and Marketing from Mercersburg Academy and Lehigh University.

1975 Created Double Crisp, a combination of chocolate and rice crispies.

Incredible! 1978 A brand new storage tank was added to Building 2, capable of holding over 60,000 pounds of creamy chocolate!

In 1979, the Palmer Candy Company purchased a bottling plant from the Chesterman Company which was gutted and rebuilt as a candy plant, big enough to last for the foreseeable future.

1991 Production Line 8, which was the most unique molding line in the United States at the time, was put into production.

Milestones! 1993 An additional 30,000 square feet is added to the Exeter Distribution Center.

Two more chocolate storage tanks were installed, increasing total liquid chocolate storage to almost 1 million pounds! 1996 Another 29,600 square feet was added to Exeter Distribution Center.

1998 Added new Mesh Bagging Machines for bagging capabilities so R.M. Palmer can bundle its sweet treats into 3.4 ounce bags filled with candy.

It merged Candy Max into its international sales channels in time for the 1999 Easter season.

Since the year 2000, the segment hasn’t grown very much.”

2001 Installed Production Line 11, a high-speed molding line.

Kostival, David A., “Candy Maker R. M. Palmer Gears Up for Easter at Reading, Pennsylvania–Area Facilities,” Reading Eagle, March 3, 2002.

“West Reading, Pennsylvania–Based Candy Maker Inks Licensing Deal,” Knight-Ridder/Tribune News, March 28, 2003.

In 2004, the prospect of continued growth required that the company add another sizeable facility to its organization.

Palmer, Jr., waxed poetic on the topic in a 2005 Candy Industry article: “[J]ust as a rising tide lifts all boats, an ebbing tide can leave many high and dry.

2006 Built another 29,580 square foot cooler addition in Exeter Distribution Center, which now totals 330,230 square feet, equivalent to 10 football fields, all under one roof.

In hopes of offering the community a bit of nostalgia, history and delicious candy, the Palmer Candy Company relocated and expanded the Old Time Candy Shoppe in 2007.

2011 R.M. Palmer acquires Merlin Candies of New Orleans and expands the distribution of Merlin bunnies nationwide.

2015 R.M. Palmer introduces the one pound Mega Coin.

In 2018, R.M. Palmer Company is celebrating its 70th anniversary of crafting fun, seasonal chocolate novelties! R.M. Palmer is committed to creating products that stand the test of time and looks forward to continuing the tradition of “making candy fun” for generations to come.