Milton S. Hershey, a chocolatier and confectioner, founded the Hershey Company in 1900. The Hershey company was the first American candy company to produce affordable milk chocolate, which before was a luxury only affordable to the rich. In addition to developing different candy brands and improving his chocolate formula, Milton Hershey set out to build a strong infrastructure for his company. The Hershey factory was built in the Derry Township, Pennsylvania. But Milton Hershey continued to expand and built a company town, which came to be known as Hershey, Pennsylvania. Today Hershey Inc., operates in 90 countries, though its presence is largest in United States. A list of Hershey’s manufacturing sites can be found here.
The Hershey Company is most known for its Hershey’s chocolate bars, but that is only one of the many products Hershey makes. Some of the most popular Hershey’s chocolate brands include: Hershey’s Chocolate Bars, Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut butter Cups, York Peppermint Patties, Almond Joy, Mounds, Hershey’s Bliss, and Pieces. Hershey also produces non-chocolate products such as: ICE BREAKERS and BREATHSAVERS gum and mint, as well as TWIZZLERS and Jolly Rancher candies. These are only a few of the hundreds of products Hershey’s makes. A full list can be found in Hershey’s Factbook (pg 46-47).
After succeeding so well in the candy market, in the mid 1900s, Hershey’s began to diversify. Among Hershey’s many acquisitions are San Giorgio Macaroni, Delmonico Foods, Ronzoni Foods, and Friendly Ice Cream Corporation. Hershey also purchased the rights to manufacture and distribute Cadbury products in the United States. In addition to confections, Hershey trades in the commodities of sugar and cocoa products, since they are the main ingredients of Hershey’s chocolate.
Another way Hershey has diversified is in where its products are sold. Hershey products are sold in over ninety countries, distributed in vending machines, as ingredients for the food service industry, for fundraising, concession stands, convenience stores, and large retailers, and online. Hershey owns manufacturing operations in Mexico, and has acquired he assets and brands of Grupo Lorena, one of the leading confectionery businesses in Mexico that also has a presence in the US Hispanic community. To expand into more international markets, Hershey branded products are manufactured by joint-venture organizations in Brazil, India, and China. Hershey branded products are also manufactured by licenses in Japan and South Korea, and by co-manufacturers.
Aside from all of its food products, Hershey has also developed and maintained its own town – Hershey Pennsylvania. The town is home to the first Hershey’s chocolate factory, which is still operating today. The town was developed for the workers of Hershey, so it also contains a community center, a K-12 school, residences, a hospital, a hotel, and a sports arena. But the biggest attraction in Hershey, Pennsylvania is Hershey Park. The park consists of camping and picnic grounds, a pool, a band shell with daily concerts, and amusement rides such as a model railroad and roller coasters and a carousel. Today Hershey Park and the Hershey Factory attract thousands of tourists and families a year.
