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Not Willy Wonka's factory In 1893, Milton Hershey, owner of the Lancaster Carmel Company, witnessed a new chocolate-making machine while at the Chicago Exposition. So impressed was Hershey that when he returned to his Pennsylvania factory he sold off everything but the chocolate division of his confectionery, beginning the five-year construction of his new Derry Church, Pennsylvania chocolate factory in 1900. Sweet disposition A philanthropist active in the Pennsylvania Dutch community, Milton Hershey undertook numerous community efforts for workers and families. Projects included a hotel, golf courses, a trolley system, a zoo, a stadium, and a theater, among others. However, Milton Hershey's primary philanthropic concern was the orphanage he founded in 1909, The Milton Hershey School. In 1918, Hershey even had the company donated to the orphanage's trust, and for years the company's purpose was simply to support the school. Although Hershey Foods may have grown over the past century, Milton Hershey's vision of an openhanded, civic-minded corporation has remained central to Hershey's identity. To this day, the Milton Hershey School remains the largest shareholder of the corporation. Speaking of feel-good things, Hershey rose to international fame by the mid-twentieth century despite a dearth of advertising. "Give them quality. That's the best advertising in the world," was Milton Hershey's motto. Indeed, during WWII Hershey products were so well loved that GIs used chocolate bars as currency. Calorie-packed As the manufacturer of five of the top 10 chocolate brands in the U.S., Hershey has the No. 1 grip on America's sweet tooth. The company's most recognizable candy products include its namesake chocolate bars, Reese's peanut butter cups, Kit Kat bars, York Peppermint Patties, Kisses, and Twizzlers. Hershey has a storied past in pasta - in 1996, the company ranked No.1, with its labels Ronzoni, American Beauty, P&R, and San Giorgio occupying a 27 percent market share and bringing the company $308.6 million in sales. Hershey Foods Corporation has since bailed out of pasta. In addition to its food products, Hershey also owns the charm-filled "Chocolate World" visitor's center in its Pennsylvania hometown. Since its acquisition of Reese's Candy Company (peanut butter cups) in 1963, Hershey's has continued a path of triumph by consuming its competition. With the acquisition of Wunderbean (jellybeans) in 1995 and Leaf Inc. (Jolly Rancher, Good & Plenty) in 1996, Hershey has broadened its strong confectionery base. While most of Hershey's production is still based in Hershey, PA (where the air really does smell like chocolate and the street lamps come shaped like Hershey's Kisses), Hershey Foods Corporation has locations across the nation. Canada and Mexico, where sales have been improving, house additional offices. In 1998 Hershey's net sales hit $4.4 billion, a slight rise from 1997. The company looked to continue its growth with Sweet Escapes, a (relatively) low fat and low calorie line of chocolatey treats. With the diet-friendly product, Hershey sought to regain the customers it lost in the fat-phobic 90s. After slumping 1999 sales, results from the first quarter of 2000 exhibited increased profits and sales. In summer 2000, after Unilever took over Bestfoods, Hershey began seeking possible companies to acquire.
One contact says, "Even if you know someone on the inside, your resume has to go to Human Resources and they are the ones that schedule the interview." Most candidates go through two interviews before being hired. Each can last between four and seven hours. They "consist of about an hour spent with a number of people, including the hiring manager, the hiring manager's direct manager, managerial peers of the hiring manager (other managers with which you might work on projects), and one or more peers of the position being hired." They will be examining you on two levels. "Some of these people are very interested in your technical knowledge/expertise, and some are more interested in other soft skills (interpersonal, communication, etc.)." Interview styles will vary. "Some interviewers follow down the page [of predetermined questions] asking every question, while others just toss their lists away and engage in a relaxed conversation." Hershey hirers "stress strong people skills." By calling Hershey's Pennsylvania Job Center in Lebanon, PA at (717) 274-2554, applicants can learn which departments currently have vacancies. Hershey will not, however, provide any other information over the phone and does not consider unsolicited resumes.
Sweet surrender Luckily, Hershey provides dental coverage to its employees, who say that they are treated as "sweetly as the chocolate." Longtime employees praise the "generous" benefit and retirement packages as well as the "social and high-spirited" atmosphere. It's good that they get along, particularly at the corporate office, because "Hershey (PA) is a very small town, and there is not much to do." But "there is a company fitness track, gym pool, weightlifting, exercise machines, and classes available to both employees and their spouses." Hershey wants employees with "technical knowledge and expertise" who will thrive in its "family atmosphere." Chocolate by the bowl "Pay benefits are competitive, and more importantly, there are bowls of chocolate everywhere," reports one insider. Meanwhile, "employees may contribute up to 17 percent of their pay toward the 401(k), some of which is matched by company contributions as well." Hershey's special perks include "a 100-share stock option," and on the tackier side, a "commemorative 100th anniversary crystal vase." Employees praise Hershey's "aggressive hiring and promotion of both minorities and women throughout the company." Ahh, but isn't life sweet? Even though the company has recently engaged in downsizing at some of its plants, the "drastic cuts" are now "in the past," say insiders. Presently, employees are "enthusiastic" about the company's future. As for the dental plan, "you end up paying a little bit out of your salary, but after tasting candy all day it's worth it."
Human Resources (717) 274-2554
Food products
Cadbury-Schweppes;M&M Mars;RJR Nabisco More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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