Perfect Candy & Packaging Co.
A Family Business - A Family Tradition
"an anthology of people caring"
The seed for Perfect Candy & Packaging Company was planted in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1935 when an immigrant from Russia, Jacob Erkes started an ice cream, soda and candy store on the main street. Jacob had two sons and a daughter (Albert, Sidney & Sadie), all graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. With the advent of the sons and a son-in-law coming into the business expansion was necessary and another shop was established in Reading. During the 1940’s the sons and daughter married and the Reading store was converted into a full line distributorship, including a vending machine component. Eventually the Pottstown store was closed and the families all moved to Reading as the distributorship continually expanded.
In 1947, at the age of 7, Sidney’s son Robert was introduced into the business doing minor warehouse jobs. After graduation from Lehigh University and working five years in the industry, Robert joined the firm.
During the ensuing years there was a great consolidation of candy distributorships and the company sought other areas of commercial endeavors. The firm expanded again by purchasing a local candy packaging operation which utilized and specialized weighing and sealing machinery.
After several years of developing and expanding the candy packaging division, Robert split the division off from the distributorship and segregated it by relocating to a separate facility. Perfect Candy & Packaging was born. Not only was the “company” label used but the advent of “private label” had begun.
By 1984, the volume of business demanded larger quarters so a move was made to the firm’s current home at 501 South Ninth Street in Reading. It was also necessary to purchase many more packaging machines and increase the staff size on a yearly basis. In 1988, after graduation from Mount St. Mary University, Robert’s son Michael joined the firm in a management position. With father and son at the helm, the business continued to grow finding other creative avenues for their candy and packaging company.
Toys-R-Us, Kaybee Toy Store, Ciotti Markets, Boscov’s Department Stores, Redner’s Markets, Rite Aid Corporation, Associated Wholesalers, Universal Studios as well as varied candy wholesalers and distributor were among the many customers serviced by Perfect Candy.
New opportunities arose around the turn of the century when several organizations requested specific packaging and items to be used in their fundraising programs. As these requests increased, programs were developed to enhance the facilitation of these fundraisers both in economic value and ease of fulfillment by the fundraising organizations.
By 2012: Perfect Candy Fundraising was created.