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Last year's transition of leadership at Purdy's Chocolates, the second largest retail chocolate manufacturer in Canada and largest in British Columbia, from President Charles Flavelle to his daughter, Karen, was a smooth one.
Based in Vancouver, Charles Flavelle purchased the company from founder Richard Cormon Purdy in 1963, and established 39 retail shops throughout British Columbia and Alberta, in addition to the original four.
The company still uses some of R.C. Purdy's recipes and production methods. Currently, over 100 different chocolates are produced at its 57,000-square-foot production facility in Vancouver.
All indications point to continued growth and successful leadership with Karen Flavelle at the helm. She brings over 15 years of experience to Purdy's, and although she never planned to become president or even work at Purdy's, it has been a perfect match.
As president, she is careful to maintain the tradition and high quality standard that has become Purdy's trademark. She tells CANDY INDUSTRY how she plans to lead the 91year-old company into the 21st century.
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FLAVELLE: Surprisingly, becoming president of Purdy's was not by design. While I was growing up, working at Purdy's was not a guarantee. My father didn't feel it was fair to his employees to parachute his children into the business.
My two siblings and I felt no pressure from our parents to work at Purdy's. They wanted us to develop our own identity and sense of confidence. It never was considered a family operation.