New Haven Independent

According to Kathy Testa, director of Marketing and Sales Planning, if (with an emphasis on “if”) the company moves from its Business Park Drive address it won’t be for another 1-1/2 to 2 years. Testa was eager to clarify the situation out of concern for many longtime workers. Approximately 40 people work at the Branford location.

The company, doing business as Dryden and Palmer Co., manufactures rock candy and has been in Branford for 36 years. Dryden and Palmer was founded in 1880. It remained a family-owned business until 2006 when it was purchased by Richardson Brands Co.

According to Testa, Dryden and Palmer originally made a liquid sugar for sore throats. When patented cough medicine came out someone figured out how to make rock candy on a string. Gravy Master, a condiment used for enhancing gravies and stews, was created using that liquid sugar.

Richardson Brands manufactures confections such as Butter Mints, Pastel Mints and Beechies Chewing Gum.

In mid-April, Richardson Brands threatened to move the company to Branford if it didn’t receive an assistance package from New York State. The company had shared a steam boiler with Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp., which anticipates relocating in April 2010. So it needed a new boiler. Along with the boiler, funds are also needed to repair damages from a 2006 flood. The company was seeking $14 million over three years from Empire State Development Corp.

Late last month the Albany Business Review reported New York State had granted a portion of the funds to keep the company in New York. But only a portion.

According to the Albany-based Times Union, it will take at least $6 million and 12 months to replace the boiler. Kathy Testa said the boiler is now on order.

At the end of May it was announced that Richardson had secured funding from several sources for Phase 1 of its $2.4 million project, which includes the boiler. The company expects to retain its 128 employees and add 15 more.

Testa said the driving force behind the move depends on whether the State of New York grants the company phases 2 and 3 of its three-phase program.

“That’s why there is nothing etched in stone at this point,” says Testa.

Or in gravy, for that matter.

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