The Hershey Company recently unveiled a new 250,000-square-foot chocolate processing facility in Hershey, Pennsylvania, marking the company’s first new manufacturing plant in the city in over three decades. Named after brand founder H.B Reese, the Reese Chocolate Processing facility took nearly three years to complete and will serve as a key production hub for popular brands like Reese’s, Kit Kat, and Hershey’s.
This new facility is part of Hershey’s larger $1 billion investment initiative, which includes the addition of 13 production lines and the upgrade of 11 existing lines across its North American facilities. The company’s focus on expanding production and enhancing supply chain efficiency is evident in its strategic investments in new facilities.
Located on a 55-acre site within Hershey’s existing Reese’s campus, the new plant currently employs nearly 100 full-time workers with plans to hire additional staff as operations expand. Hershey’s Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Manufacturing, Will Bonifant, emphasized the company’s commitment to increasing production capacity and streamlining operations to meet consumer demand for its iconic brands.
In addition to its manufacturing investments, Hershey has also prioritized innovation across its product portfolio, which includes a diverse range of offerings from Kisses and Reese’s to gummies and Dot’s pretzels. Through strategic acquisitions and expansion efforts, Hershey has bolstered its production capabilities to support the growth of its product lines.
For example, in 2023, Hershey acquired two popcorn operations to enhance production capacity for its SkinnyPop brand. Similarly, the acquisition of Dot’s in 2021 involved purchasing manufacturing locations to meet the rising demand for the brand’s products. These initiatives underscore Hershey’s commitment to innovation and growth in the competitive confectionery and snacks market.
