Manufacturing
The 2015 Washington Manufacturing Awards: Food/Beverage Processor of the Year, Small Firms
By Bill Virgin April 28, 2015
This article originally appeared in the May 2015 issue of Seattle magazine.
WINNER
Seattle Chocolates
Seattle
Lots of companies make and sell chocolate confections, especially in Seattle, where people are mad for the stuff. How do you stand out in a crowded market like that?
For Seattle Chocolates, one not-so-secret ingredient is charitable activity combined with social media. The purchase price of every bar includes a food-bank donation a practice that was augmented last year by the #chocolategives campaign to generate contributions.
But philanthropy doesnt accomplish much without a solid financial base. Seattle Chocolates has reported year-over-year growth of more than 20 percent for three years running, with products going to more than 4,000 boutique customers as well as major retailers like Target and Costco. A 66 percent improvement in efficiency during the past four years has meant Seattle Chocolates achieved that growth while keeping employment level.