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R.M. Palmer Company, commonly called Palmer, has been manufacturing seasonal chocolate novelties since 1948. Today, R.M. Palmer Company is considered one of the top 75 confectioners in the world[1] and one of America’s largest producers of hollow chocolate Easter bunnies.[2] Founded by Richard M. Palmer, Sr., and now executively managed by Richard M. Palmer, Jr., the second-generation family owned company began and continues to remain headquartered in West Reading, Pennsylvania. There they create, develop and manufacture over 500 different candy confections that are distributed domestically and internationally. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Licensing 3 Acquisition 4 Patent infringement 5 External links 6 References History [edit]

After serving as a captain in the United States Army Air Force during World War II Richard M. Palmer, Sr.,[3] formed the company with only four employees and four products that included chocolate characters named Baby Binks, Bunny Binks, Daddy Binks and Hen & Egg. The company didn't officially launch until after a successful in-store trial display of Palmer products at W.T. Grant Co. 25 Cent Stores in November of 1948. Easter remains Palmer’s biggest holiday season[4] followed by Christmas,Valentine's Day and Halloween.For holidays, Palmer candy comes wrapped in signature colored foils and full-color, window box packaging.[5] Following in his father's footsteps, Richard M. Palmer Jr., joined the company in 1972 and was later inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 1991. [6] He served as past director and former vice president of The National Confectioners Association in addition to running the family business. Licensing [edit]

R.M. Palmer Company and Nascar driver Dale Earnhart Jr., teamed up for a licensing agreement in 2007 with a line of candy bars featuring two flavors: peanut butter and caramel. The candy bars were called Big Mo' which is a spinoff of Earnhardt's hometown of Mooresville, North Carolina and an old nickname, Dirty Mo' Posse that was given to him by friends.[7] Acquisition [edit]

In March 2011, R.M. Palmer Company purchased the name and assets of Merlin Candies, last owned by Big Easy Chocolate Co. and expanded the distribution of Merlin chocolate bunnies nationwide.[8] Patent infringement [edit]

In December 1955, R.M. Palmer Company filed suit against Luden's Inc. for infringement of four design patents. The patents in question were chocolate caricature-like novelties in the shape of a rabbit, duck, squirrel and lamb. The court deemed the patents had been infringed upon, but the decision was later overturned on August 22, 1956.[9] External links [edit]

R.M. Palmer Company Website R.M. Palmer Company Documentary References [edit]

^ Global Top 100 Listing of The Leading Confectionery Manufacturers. Candy Industry. January 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2013. ^ Amanda Bensen. Why Are Chocolate Easter Bunnies Hollow? Smithsonian.com. April 2, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2013. ^ http://www.candyindustry.com/articles/founder-of-r-m-palmer-dies ^ R.M. Palmer Company Busy Making Easter Chocolates. WFMZ.com. August 15, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2013. ^ Dena Kleiman. Where Chocolate Bunnies Come From. New York Times. March 22, 1989. Retrieved April 2, 2013. ^ http://candyhalloffame.org/CHoF/inductees/1991/richard-m-palmer-jr.shtml ^ • http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-09-18-earnhardt-candy_N.htm ^ Karen L. Miller. R.M. Palmer Company Makes Sweet Deal. Reading Eagle. March 4, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2013. ^ R.M. Palmer Company v. Luden's Inc., Justia US Law Federal Case. Decided August 22, 1956. Retrieved April 10, 2013.