The interior of the new Hershey factory showcasing automated chocolate production lines.
The grand opening of Hershey’s new factory in Derry Township, Pennsylvania marks the company’s first new facility in 30 years, featuring automation and job creation. With a $1 billion investment, the 250,000 square foot plant will process 400 million pounds of milk daily, enhancing local economy and agriculture. Local leaders celebrate cutting business licensing wait times, making this a significant step forward amid economic challenges.
In a wave of sweet excitement, the city of Derry Township, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated the grand opening of its first new Hershey factory in a whopping 30 years. This exciting event was marked by a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony, drawing in a crowd of local, state, and federal lawmakers who came together to celebrate this momentous occasion. With the company pouring in $1 billion into this state-of-the-art facility, it’s clear that Hershey is not just keeping pace but aiming to set the pace in the candy manufacturing world.
Spanning an impressive 250,000 square feet, the new factory has taken over a former Friendly’s restaurant site on Reese Avenue. This site is no ordinary factory; it is Hershey’s most automated and fully digitally integrated manufacturing plant to date. This means a more efficient production process, which will ultimately delight candy lovers everywhere.
Initially, the facility will provide around 100 jobs, with plans for future workforce growth as production ramps up. This boost to employment comes at a time when the state is looking for bright spots in the economy. Local leaders, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, noted that Hershey’s significant investment is a step in the right direction amid recent challenges faced by the state.
In a unique connection to the region’s agriculture, Hershey processes a staggering 400 million pounds of milk daily for its chocolate production, thereby greatly supporting Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. With products such as Reese’s, Kit Kat, and the classic Hershey’s chocolate bar in the mix, this factory is integral to keeping the candy shelves stocked.
The decision to build this new facility was made possible thanks to the devoted efforts of local legislators who worked to improve the permitting process, which was tackled head-on during Governor Shapiro’s administration. It’s worth noting that the state has successfully slashed the Department of Environmental Protection permit backlog by an impressive 88% and managed to cut business license wait times dramatically from eight weeks down to just two days!
U.S. Representative Scott Perry shared exciting facts about Hershey’s production capabilities, revealing that the company produces around 5.4 billion Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups annually and 70 million Hershey Kisses daily. Talk about serious candy manufacturing!
As if the celebration wasn’t sweet enough, a new film about Hershey’s founder, Milton S. Hershey, is set to start production next month. This film promises to bring to light the inspiring story behind the company and its impact on not just Pennsylvania, but the entire world of candy lovers everywhere.
The timing of this grand opening couldn’t be more perfect—taking place just days before one of the biggest candy-related holidays of the year! It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and indulge in some delicious chocolate, all while supporting local jobs and the economy.
The new Hershey factory is not only a testament to innovation, technology, and economic growth but also a reminder of the sweet traditions that come with the joy of candy. With so much to look forward to, Pennsylvanians can expect this factory to be a cornerstone of the community for many years to come!
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