Award for serving the industry

Retail Confectioners International (RCI), a trade association serving the chocolate and confectionery industry, has awarded the 2014 Henry J Bornhofft Memorial Award to Thomas Elsinghorst of Tomric Systems at its annual convention. The winner of this award is traditionally a stand-out person who has exhibited many years of outstanding leadership, loyalty, friendship and has made numerous contributions to the confectionery industry.

Thomas’ father was the designer and manufacturer of the Elsinghorst Brothers chocolate melter and enrobing lines and also the founder of Tomric Plastics, Inc. (now Tomric Systems, Inc.). Thomas began working at Elsinghorst Brothers and Tomric Plastics through college. After graduation he entered a career in finance before eventually finding his way back to the world of sweets through the co-founding of Choco-Logo, Inc., a provider of custom hospitality confections, as well as serving as finance manager at Niagara Chocolates. Tom rejoined Tomric Systems, Inc. in the 1990s and was recently named president of the company.

Tom has served on RCI’s board of directors, including as a member of the executive committee and also served two years as chair of RCI’s Education Committee.

“Thomas Elsinghorst has been a valuable supporter of the confectionery industry. His service does not go unnoticed, and we were privileged to present him with this award recognizing his contributions,” says Doug Dressman, Esther Price Candies Corp., 2013-2014 RCI President of the Board.

“I am absolutely honored to have been selected to receive this award from Retail Confectioners International,” says Elsinghorst. “On behalf of my father, Paul Elsinghorst, and brother, Timothy Thill, I thank the RCI for this recognition and look forward to continuing to serve the organization.”