Blackwood-based Bon Bon Buddies, Europe’s leading manufacturer of licenced and character branded confectionery, has been selected by one of the UK’s most iconic sweet brands, Chewits, to produce its first ever seasonal product for Easter.

The two-year partnership with brand owner Cloetta will see Bon Bon Buddies produce a Chewits-themed Easter egg for 2017 and 2018, which will be sold in supermarkets and independents nationwide.

Justin Thomas, managing director at Bon Bon Buddies, said: “Chewits is an exciting and well-established brand that we’ve always wanted to sink our teeth into, so when the chance to work with them came about, we jumped at the opportunity.

“Being selected by a brand of this calibre to help them create and launch their first Easter product is testament to our growing reputation as a key player within the confectionery industry.”

Ian Downes, director at Start Licensing, Cloetta's licensing agent, said: “We are delighted that Bon Bon Buddies has come on board the Chewits licensing programme. A Chewits Easter egg seems a natural development for such a high-profile confectionery brand. Bon Bon Buddies is well qualified to make the most of this opportunity.”

Chewits is a 50-year-old brand whose confectionery range includes classic stickpacks, multi-packs and share bags in both core and Xtreme flavours.

Stuart Norris, brand licensing executive at Cloetta, said: “We’re always on the lookout for new licensees that share our enthusiasm and vision for the Chewits brand. Bon Bon Buddies clearly demonstrated this to us and with their expertise within this category, we’re sure that Chewits Easter Eggs will be a hit. Licensing is a key part of our brand strategy and this latest partnership highlights our commitment to the development of our programme.”

The new partnership follows a string of recent successes for Bon Bon Buddies, who earlier this year was awarded the contract to produce the official confectionery for Universal Studios’ long-awaited motion picture, The Secret Life of Pets.