Ep 1. Yankee Candle

John Ratzenberger's Made in America is a television series that explores the history and manufacturing processes of various products that are made in America. In the second season, the show continues to delve into the unique stories behind the iconic American brands that have made a name for themselves for their exceptional quality and innovations. In the first episode of the second season titled "Yankee Candle," the spotlight is on one of the most popular candle companies in America that has carved a niche for itself in the fragrance industry.

The episode begins with host John Ratzenberger traveling to the quaint town of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, where the headquarters of Yankee Candle is located. The company was founded in 1969 by Mike Kittredge, a sixteen-year-old boy who started making candles as a gift for his mother. Using old milk cartons and crayons, Kittredge crafted his first candle, which was a reddish-brown color that resembled the bark of a tree. His mother loved the candle and convinced him to sell it to a neighbor for a dollar, which became the start of a thriving business.

Ratzenberger meets with the current CEO, Harlan Kent, who walks him through the company's history and the process of making their iconic candles. Yankee Candle has grown into a multimillion-dollar company with over 150 fragrances and more than 500 retail locations across the United States. They specialize in delivering high-quality candles, fragrance diffusers, and other home fragrance products that evoke nostalgia and memories.

The episode takes viewers through the various stages of making a Yankee Candle, starting with the creation of the wax. Yankee Candle uses a proprietary blend of high-quality paraffin wax and natural essential oils to achieve their signature scents. The wax is melted down and mixed with fragrance oils in a large vat until it reaches the desired consistency. The fragrance combinations are meticulously crafted by a team of experts trained to create unique fragrances that appeal to a wide range of customers.

Once the wax is ready, it's time to pour it into molds. Yankee Candle uses automated machines to fill the molds with wax, but each candle is still hand-poured to ensure consistency and quality. The candles go through a cooling process before the excess wax is trimmed off, and the wick is added. The wick and candle are then inspected for any defects and sent to the packaging area.

The packaging of Yankee Candle products is also a crucial aspect of their brand. The episode showcases the process of designing and creating packaging that is not only visually appealing but also functional and durable. Yankee Candle's packaging experts work meticulously to create boxes and labels that will protect items during transportation and storage while also reinforcing the company's brand identity.

Finally, Ratzenberger meets with customers who share their love for Yankee Candles and how the products have become a part of their lives. One customer shows how she uses Yankee Candle's flameless fragrant wax melts to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in her home, while another customer reveals that she has collected over 600 Yankee Candle jars over the years, each one filled with memories of special occasions and moments spent with loved ones.

In conclusion, the Yankee Candle episode of John Ratzenberger's Made in America is an engaging and informative exploration of one of America's most iconic candle companies. The episode highlights the passion, dedication, and craftsmanship that goes into every Yankee Candle product, from the creation of fragrances to the packaging and presentation. It's a great watch for anyone who is interested in the history of American manufacturing or a fan of Yankee Candle products.