The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
State House Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR
KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 3, 2003 CONTACT:
Shawn Feddeman
Sarah Godbout
(617) 725-4025
ROMNEY PRAISES YANKEE CANDLE’S ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
SOUTH DEERFIELD – Governor Mitt Romney today visited the headquarters of Yankee Candle to honor the company with the Governor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
Presented monthly as part of Romney’s “Jobs First” initiative, the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award recognizes individuals who best demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the Massachusetts economy and who inspire others to turn their ideas into action.
“We established this award to acknowledge and celebrate some of the state’s most innovative companies as well as to highlight the creative entrepreneurs who are helping to drive economic growth here in the Commonwealth,” said Romney.
“The story of Yankee Candle is a reminder that you don’t need to manufacture a cutting edge product to be innovative, exciting and extremely successful,” he added.
Yankee Candle is America’s leading manufacturer, designer, and distributor of scented candles. Employing over 4,000 people, Yankee Candle boasts 286 retail stores in 42 states and distributes its products to 26 countries around the world. With all of its manufacturing operations located in Massachusetts, Yankee Candle produces more than 200 million candles per year.
“When other manufacturers looked elsewhere to cut costs, Yankee recognized the long- term advantages of staying in Massachusetts,” said Romney. “Tapping one of the best educated and most highly motivated work forces in the world, they now dominate the industry.”
In addition to providing jobs to the local economy, Yankee Candle contributes to the state’s tourism industry. The South Deerfield store is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Massachusetts, bringing in over 2.5 million visitors every year.
“To receive the Governor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is a distinct honor and special recognition for Yankee Candle Company and Yankee Candle employees,” said Robert R. Spellman, Yankee’s Chief Financial Officer. “Yankee has achieved tremendous growth since its founding and over the last 20 years has grown from $3 million to approximately $500 million.”
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