Counselor Top 40 supplier NC Custom (asi/44900) has acquired Richmond, VA-based supplier Confection 360 (asi/46246), a deal designed to enhance NC Custom’s manufacturing capabilities in high-definition etched chocolates. Financial details of the deal weren’t disclosed.

NC Custom (asi/44900) now offers in-house chocolate etching, thanks to its acquisition of Confection 360 (asi/46246).

Confection 360 is known for the high-speed, detailed etching of chocolate for mass production and print on demand, and thanks to the strategic acquisition, NC Custom said it will now be able to produce etched bars in-house, offering faster turnaround, flexible order sizes and expanded packaging options.

“Our acquisition strengthens our position as a full-service partner for chocolate gifts across the promotional product space,” said Lance Stier, managing partner/CEO of Hicksville, NY-based NC Custom and a member of the Counselor Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “We are fortunate to build upon the legacy of Confection 360, a pioneer in the chocolate industry, and are especially excited to roll out our launch collection.”

The new product collection, rolling out this month, includes etched bars, window boxes and slim bars in singles and six-packs, all designed for high-impact and quick turn, according to NC Custom. The high-speed etching innovation expands on NC Custom’s range of print-on-demand food products, including its recently released digital print chocolate collection, which debuted in the 2025 holiday season.

“Bringing etching capabilities in-house is a logical and exciting next step,” said David Miller, president of NC Custom and a member of the Counselor Power 50. “Our customers rely on us to deliver not just a product, but a turnkey promotional solution.”

He added that NC Custom plans to expand its range of etched food products in the future.

Jim Wheeler, founder and CEO of Confection 360, said his company is excited to partner with NC Custom. “We believe NC Custom is a leader in its market, and has the right focus, integrity and leadership to help build upon the innovations we’ve had at Confection 360, including high-speed etched chocolate,” he added.

He also thanked his team for their commitment to building Confection 360’s profile in the souvenir, college and promotional markets over the years.

With its strong foundation of U.S.-based manufacturing, NC Custom is also poised to help celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial. AmuseMints, a division of NC Custom, was named a licensed merchandise partner in the souvenir, gift and specialty retail categories for America250, the initiative formed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Licensed products featuring the trademarked America250 logo include apparel, drinkware, snacks and confections.

NC Custom has partnerships with a range of popular consumer brands. In October, the supplier added Ghirardelli chocolate to its branded gift collections. And earlier in 2025, NC Custom became an approved co-packer for M&M’s products in the promo industry. Other partnerships include brands such as Godiva, Jelly Belly and Mrs. Fields.

NC Custom ranked 20th on Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the industry, with 2024 North American promotional products revenue of $95.2 million.