Flame & Wax, Inc, 2900 McCabe Way, Irvine, CA 92614, US

When people think of candle makers they tend to think in terms of utilizing simple candle molds. General Wax and Candle Company s multi-processor central computer system that s hooked to a fiber optic network, which communicates with Pentium computers that are hooked to programmable logic controllers, robotic arms, heat sensors, color sensors, proximity sensors, air cylinders and pumps are far from the traditional mold. The company s origins are in institutional sales such as restaurants and churches. These institutions burn millions of candles per year. With a few exceptions, General Wax designs its own candle making equipment, mixes its own wax formulas, conducts its own wax testing, writes its own software programs and manufactures the majority of the candles it sells from the company s facility in North Hollywood, Calif. General Wax has been providing quality candles since 1949.