3 minutes read time.
For over 150 years, Ganong Bros. has crafted world-class chocolate and candy in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, building a legacy spanning five generations. Today, the iconic confectionery maker continues to blend tradition with global ambition. That approach earned Ganong two honours at the 2025 NB Export Awards: the Global Diversification Award, and the inaugural Woman in Export Excellence Award.
President and CEO Bryana Ganong says the dual recognition is as much about the people behind the chocolate as it is about export success. “We export 95 per cent of our products outside of New Brunswick,” said Ganong. “We applied for the Export Awards because it was a great opportunity to recognize the hard work and determination that it takes across our organization to accomplish our export goals.”
The Global Diversification Award reflects the company’s reach beyond New Brunswick. Approximately half of Ganong’s production goes to the U.S. and is sold under both the Ganong brand and through contract manufacturing partnerships. Ganong says the award marks an important milestone in an ongoing diversification process. “We’re continuing to work on diversifying our markets, so it was an important step in that journey,” she said. “It’s a way to say thank you to our team and say we appreciate all they do to make the company successful abroad.”
New capabilities, equipment, and products have strengthened Ganong’s market position, while an expanded customer portfolio has opened new doors. “Currently, we’re looking for ways to expand our capacity in St. Stephen and invest in more productivity initiatives,” Ganong said. “Lots of exciting things are coming.”
Women in Leadership
Winning the Woman in Export Excellence Award also carried special significance. “I think it was really important for us simply because we have a high percentage of women in leadership positions,” Ganong said. Today, 59 per cent of the company’s leadership roles are held by women. The impact is especially evident in Ganong’s contract manufacturing division, responsible for 75 to 80 per cent of overall sales volume. “Our contract manufacturing team are all women,” she notes. “It’s an award that recognizes their contribution to what Ganong is accomplishing.”
While she accepted the honour, Ganong sees it as a recognition of the broader team. “It meant a lot to me because there are so many hardworking women across the organization.”
New Brunswick’s Benefits
Operating from St. Stephen has its strategic advantages. The town’s border location offers proximity to the U.S. market as well as good access to rail and ocean freight. Historically, St. Stephen’s role as a shipping port helped establish vital supply routes, an advantage that continues to benefit the firm today.
Ganong also credits ONB as an important partner. “ONB has been a great partner to us, helping with the execution on our growth strategy, productivity projects, workforce diversification, and expansion,” she said.
Ultimately, the biggest benefit of operating in New Brunswick is the people. “It’s not just many generations of my family working in the business, it’s several generations of other people’s families too.” With those strong roots supporting its growing presence beyond New Brunswick, Ganong says the company is proud to carry its community’s legacy onto the global stage.
–
There is still time to apply for consideration for a 2026 NB Export Award! Visit our awards page for more info on this year’s award, including the application link.
