Hershey Company opens its new manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania
The facility marks a significant milestone as the company’s first new manufacturing facility at its headquarters in over 30 years.
USA – The Hershey Company, a confectionery manufacturer, has opened its first new plant in its namesake community, Hershey, expanding its product offerings.
As reported by the company during the 1st ground breaking construction, the new 250,000-square-foot chocolate processing facility is on a 55-acre site.
It will produce chocolate used in a variety of beloved brands, including Reese’s, KitKat, Symphony, and Special Dark.
Will Bonifant, Hershey’s VP of Supply Chain Strategy and manufacturing, said, “Our ability to make and deliver products quickly and efficiently is a key component of our growth strategy.
“We’ve made significant investments to speed production, increase capacity and develop our workforce for the future to make more of the iconic brands consumers love.”
The facility features automated technology, with machines on one network so that operators can make adjustments in one place rather than individually on each machine.
Todd Scott, Senior Manager of Communications at the Hershey Company, explained that the new facility culminates a decade-long, billion-dollar investment in their supply chain network.
He highlighted that the company has been modernising and automating its snack manufacturing processes for over a decade, and this facility stands out as the most recent and most significant milestone in that journey.
The facility, part of Hershey’s broader US$1 billion investment strategy, includes adding 13 new production lines and upgrading 11 existing lines across North American facilities.
It will support over 125 new jobs and build on Hershey’s long-standing legacy as a major employer in Pennsylvania, where the company already supports over 6,000 jobs.
Hershey CEO Michele Buck to step down
The news comes after the company announced the planned departure of CEO Michele Buck, who will step down effective June 30, 2026, after more than seven years leading the company.
A veteran in the consumer-packaged goods sector, Buck has been with Hershey for nearly two decades. She will remain CEO until a successor is appointed and then transition to a senior advisory role before retiring.
In a statement, Buck expressed her belief in Hershey’s long-term success being rooted in its culture, she said, “The spirit of innovation has kept us at the forefront of new and changing trends to serve our customers and consumers best, made us a stronger partner for our communities, and contributed to significant value creation for our shareholders.”
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
