 It launched as a public company in 1922 and erected a vast factory to the design of prominent Melbourne architect Joseph Plottel in South Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River, where its animated neon sign was a local landmark up to its demise in 1987.Allen's abandoned chocolate production after World War II, however it became Australia's largest confectionery company.Allen's was purchased by UK-based Rothmans Holdings in 1985, and later sold to Nestlé.