Chocolate Bytes: For the Love of Chocolate

96 opinions for Hershey’s Moves to Mexico

• Lori Harvey
  Jul 10, 2007 at 2:25 pm

  The founder of Hershey’s must be rolling in his grave. The great American chocolate bar is no more. Guaranteed there will be a LOT less of Hershey bars sold now because of this move. This move definitely needs to be rethought.

• Sharon
  Jul 11, 2007 at 12:01 pm

  The long standing company is making a move that will bring the company down.

• The Great American Candy Moves to Mexico
  Jul 13, 2007 at 3:31 pm

  […] There is so much in the news about illegal immigration, out-sourcing, Union control, and loss of factory jobs this is yet another depressing story to hear.  I had heard about it, but it left my thoughts, until I read about it at Chocolate Bytes. […]

• DJ
  Jul 17, 2007 at 3:43 pm

  I sent the Hershey Corp. an email on this about a year ago when they announced they were laying off people in, of all places, Hershey Pennsylvania, and moving the jobs to Mexico.

  My opinion is chocolate is a snack food, not a necessity (I know, I know!) Americans do not and will not see any food product made in Mexico as being very appealing.

  Personally, I’m not sure Hershey gives a darn about the American market. There’s an awful lot of folks south of the boarder and south of Mexico itself.

  I guess they’ve made a decision on which groups of people they prefer to please — the almighty “share holders” and the Latins.

  No more Hershey products for me. . .

• Dolly
  Jul 18, 2007 at 8:58 am

  this is really upsetting that our country will go to these lengthes. I just hope the union got the people very good buy out deals. I agree with not buying the chocolate but stop and think about it, if we all did that, then the people that still have a job here will end up loseing it due to no production and then there will be more work to go to Mexico.

• Scott
  Jul 18, 2007 at 11:46 pm

  after reading of this and verifying the storys veracity, from this day forward i will not purchase any hershey products. futher, it is my desire for this company to cease to exist just as is my desire for any company that leaves the usa. i do not have anything against mexican products per se but i will not buy anything that used to be made in the usa and is now made elsewhere, especially mexico. my 2 cents, scott

• J Hayes
  Jul 20, 2007 at 6:31 am

  Suffice it to say that Hershey’s move to Mexico is clearly the epitome of American capitalism at its best. Once again, another American ‘tradition’ has succumbed through the LOVE for the almighty DOLLAR. I join the ranks of those who will NOT be purchasing ANY more Hershey’s ANYTHING beginning right NOW!

• B McLin
  Jul 20, 2007 at 5:23 pm

  Hersey NO MORE!!!!!

• Danno
  Jul 20, 2007 at 9:19 pm

  Corporate greed has gotten the best of us. This will eventually bite them in the ass. Stocks have dropped significantly.

• Paula
  Jul 21, 2007 at 7:55 am

  Shame on the Hershey company for looking after their shareholders more than the century plus years of tradition for Americans. With all the controversy going on now over illegal immigrants, many of them using our resources without earning them, I would have hoped the great Hershey company would not put money before America’s need for jobs.

  As for me - I will probably quit buying Hershey’s products even tho I have loved them. There are many other delicious chocolate brands available, thankfully. Whether it makes any difference or not in their production I will feel justified in showing this as my protest over their “traitorous” move.

  -Paula in Kentucky

• Sam Reeves
  Jul 21, 2007 at 7:31 pm

  I remember eating Hershey’s Chocolate during every holiday as a kid. It was an American family tradition that has ended with this family.
  Adios, traitors.

• leroy hoback
  Jul 21, 2007 at 7:47 pm

  I hope you corporate assholes choke on your own chocolate. I will never be associated willingly with you pr ypur products again. in a ron paul administration donst expect any help on your prices for your products. you corporate big wigs need to pack your bags and leave the country while you are able.

• Milton Hershey
  Jul 21, 2007 at 7:53 pm

  The CEO of Hershey’s is a jackazz. I hope someone offs him. If I were one of those laid off workers, I’d riot in the street. I can also say that I will never purchase their inferior products or frequent their second rate amusement park ever again.

• Josh
  Jul 21, 2007 at 10:49 pm

  All these American companies that want to operate as third world enterprises end up getting their wish.

• Peter Zarriello
  Jul 22, 2007 at 3:19 pm

  Why would you want to move into Mexico..when thousands are trying to get out!!!

  I will never buy Hershey products or visit Hershey pa again!!! i am 12 yrs old.

• Ted K.
  Jul 23, 2007 at 7:17 am

  Shame on Hershey. I will never purchase Hershey products again, and will boycott HERSHEYPARK.

  Shame on Hershey.

• Hershey’s Moves to Mexico, part 2
  Jul 23, 2007 at 9:03 am

  […] general Hershey’s Move to Mexico report has made it to Snopes.com. They’re debunking the news that all US plants are moving to […]

• Danno
  Jul 23, 2007 at 9:55 pm

  Well good too see there are alot of Proud Americans out there. I really think you people are on the same page as all of us Canadians. We all think in the long run this will be a great change. Eventually they will have to stand down and bow down to the people who make their countries great. Hats off to all you concerned American Citizens. If all companies took this root then only the rich and not the blue collar workforce would be able to even afford a candy bar.

• Kathy
  Jul 28, 2007 at 5:40 pm

  Goodbye, Hershey, hello, Sees and others

• Tom
  Jul 31, 2007 at 12:54 pm

  I think it’s past time for OUR? government to mandate that all food products are labeled with the country of origin. I have not patronized a Mexican restaurant or knowingly bought any Mexican products since they burned the flag and flew the stars and stripes, upside down, beneath a Mexican flag.

• Richard
  Aug 8, 2007 at 8:17 pm

  I think that when a company takes jobs away from the people in THIS COUNTRY, which are the ones that support that company’s products, NO ONE should EVER purchase another stinking product from that company AGAIN! That means you HERSHEY! I truley hope that the people in this Great United States of America are fed up enough with sorry, low life traitors like HERSHEYS that you will Never sell another candy bar in this country again! I hope it haunts the bone head fool that made the desision to move jobs to Mexico for the rest of your life! From now on I’m buying the TRUE Great American Candy Bar - SNICKERS!

• Sweet Links
  Aug 9, 2007 at 8:53 am

  […] to their stores. It’ll be interesting to see how well this is received after the apparent Hershey revolt. bacon chocolate, chocablog, chocolate, Chocolate Links, chocolate obsession, Chocolate Online, […]

• Richard
  Aug 9, 2007 at 4:57 pm

  DOLLIE IF YOU DON’T BUY HERSHEY PRODUCTS, BUY MARS CANDIES, AND THE PEOPLE CAN GO TO WORK FOR THE MARS CANDY COMPANY WHEN THEY NEED A JOB. I’LL BET THE MARS PEOPLE ARE SMART ENOUGH NOT TO MOVE TO MEXICO!!!!!!!

• Sandy
  Aug 9, 2007 at 6:04 pm

  Boycott the Creeps! Easy as That!

• Mike N.
  Aug 10, 2007 at 7:28 am

  What a sad world this has become when greedy companies such as Hersheys value the almighty dollar more than American families. This shameless company just crushed several thousand American families lives. I hope that the Hershey Fat Cats enjoy their grand lifestyle whlie knowing that they put several thousand Americans out of a job in a world that is already a struggle just to keep up with rising gas and utility cost and house foreclosures by the hundreds daily. This injustice to America will rectified, because it just a matter of time before Hersheys becomes a sinking ship and we can all watch the rats jump overboard.

• Mary Shultz
  Oct 10, 2007 at 5:47 pm

  I am already buying Mars choclate ,good snickers and many others.
  Lets make Mars the King of USA
  Mary Shultz

• Tammy M.
  Oct 12, 2007 at 6:14 am

  This sucks, I love Hershey Chocolate!! But I can Love Mars just as well! Booooo to Hershey’s corporate gold diggers!

• Mary Shultz
  Oct 12, 2007 at 10:14 am

  I have bought lots of hershey prodocts before this crazy move to Mexico..Why are they sneaking over here when all our jobs are going to Mexico…..Soon our people wont be able to get a job here….Does that mean our poor working will have to swim the river to get to Mexico to get a cheap paying job??? We have to boycott hershey
  We have lots of good mars choclate buy it , let the mexicans have hershey.
  I made pies for the public for 25 years lots of hershey choclate went into them…..Never again
  Americans get off your duff and do something
  before we are flying the mexican flag and burning ours……I thought our worse enemy was Iraq ,at least we are eating and making a living maybe not for long. An X lover of Hershey products.
  Mary Shultz

• carolyn lacotti
  Oct 18, 2007 at 2:40 pm

  To the Directors of Hershey’s Company—You people should be investigated or have the I.R.S. audit your personal accounts. A few months ago you wanted to sell the company to the Nestle Co. and the courts stopped you, now you want to move the company to Mexico. The toy products are being checked for lead content but who is checking the food coming out of these third world counties, especially the candy for children. Neither I nor my family buy food from these countries especially any candy for the grandchildren. Now what makes you think we’d buy Hershey products from Mexico. You may use the excuse it’s for the share holders but their are a millions of people that buy your product that don’t own share one.
  I’m sure Mr. Hershey would not have you people on the Board oof Directors if he knew what you are doing to his company and how he felt about his employees. May you enjoy all the money you’ll be pocketing at the expense of his employees and the American tradition of Hershey’s Candy Company.

• dianne britt
  Nov 1, 2007 at 4:11 pm

  I hope they can sell in mexico. Because I WILL NOT BUY THEIR CANDY! and every person I get a chance to tell what hershey has done I do so. This is the most unamerican thing they could have done at this time. Of all the states in the US that need a co. to take care of all the extra unemployment, they had to go to MEXICO. Im betting that any one of us who use to buy their candy would be very well off with the profit of hershey this year and sells were down. I also believe that you can be to greedy and you can lost it all.

• roger
  Nov 7, 2007 at 1:09 pm

  I have bought my LAST Hershey product!! and i will encourage others to do likewise.

• Fran Mitchell
  Nov 13, 2007 at 11:10 am

  i plan to find a way to do without Hershey. Sad to say but true.

• Dawn Fields
  Nov 16, 2007 at 8:10 pm

  Hey Wall Street! No more Hershey’s for this family. We’re done. And by the way….that’s in ENGLISH! I’m so sorry Mr Hershey…maybe you should pay your BOD a visit….might be a good time to remind them of Christmas Past, Present and Future…..

• Erin
  Nov 17, 2007 at 3:29 pm

  I read about this in an e-mail and I was saddend by the news! How could someone move the all American Candy Company out of the states? No more for me thanks and I love to have Hersey’s candy bars just as much as the next person but why buy something from someone who is a sell-out?!? I hope that they loss the As*es over there and go belly up… I think that would leave many people laughing at them!

• Becky
  Nov 26, 2007 at 1:50 pm

  It’s no wonder that some of us are having a harder and harder time trying to land a decent job.
  So, is the town going to change their name? Maybe they should call themselves Nestle, PA and see if they can entice a new Nestle plant to move there!

• Kay Allen
  Nov 27, 2007 at 4:33 pm

  If I ever get a piece of Candy that says made in Mexico - China or wherever — it will end up in the trash. I will and am writing to Hershey Co. today. Hershey is as American as Apple Pie and should remain here.

• Don
  Nov 28, 2007 at 8:49 am

  I guess we now know where the “Arthur Anderson” Accountants went after Enron. There is no way there is enough labor in a candy bar to justify moving to a lower labor country. Who on their right mind would do that. My hometown has 3 great small chocolate comanies and I ‘m sure there are others in yours try to get your chocolate fix from a local maker. I know I will.

• John Linton
  Nov 28, 2007 at 11:07 am

  The Hershey move to Mexico just MIGHT be a fair sized plus for the U.S.A. Perhaps a portion of the people who had planned to swim to America will now think twice about that swim and the death march across the desert. Maybe some of the wannabee illegals will now stay in Monterey and try for one of those $5.00/hr jobs that Hersheys will offer. At any rate the pukey taste left in my mouth over the move will last far longer than the final taste of Hersheys Chocolate
  that I have already taken.
  Adios, Hersheys. ‘Been nice knowing you. All my friends, neighbors and family also offer you their good byes.

• Gill Phelan
  Nov 28, 2007 at 3:51 pm

  As a graduate of Milton Hershey–class of ‘73–Mr. Hershey deserves better. This man was a true humanitarian who put his LIFE into the community. You greedy scoundrels deserve all the bad luck you can get. How can you even sleep?Your nothing but greedy,sleezy traitors!!
  Hast la vista stupidos!!!

• Big Al
  Dec 1, 2007 at 7:38 pm

  Well here is another American that will never
  purchase Hershey products ever again. Even in the 100th year when I visited there over priced theme park they did not even give out a free piece of chocolate to the people who visited even with all the money
  they make, Adious I hope that you go under
  because of your greed and the Mexican workers batch your making of now inferior
  chocolate products.

• Fred
  Dec 4, 2007 at 8:03 am

  If our government would raise taxes so high on any american company that wanted to bring goods back to the US, maybe they would think twice. Make it cost them more to bring it back. Hire all these people who are being laid off to inspect these goods to make sure that our health don’t suffer. That way we all still have jobs.

• Melanie Tuohy
  Dec 4, 2007 at 9:16 am

  I think this is a OUTRAGE!! The company has been a American Company for ever, Just because it’s 10% cheaper in labor cost in Mexico, WELL HELLO that is because everyone is Moving to American!!!! So how are we supposed to keep our American Economy when Big Wigs Like Richard Lenny who states this was a very HARD deicision. IT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN SINCE ITS CHEAPER FOR THE COMPANY. THEY MAKE 5 BILLION A YEAR, HOW MUCH MORE MONEY DO THEY NEED?? Well I think that he should pack up & move his family to Mexico or give up some of his MONEY to the families that will be out of a job. HARD deicision. Well I think that he should pack I WILL NEVER BUY HERSHEY’S AGAIN. I WILL ONLY PURCHASE NESTLE PRODUCTS.

• RANDY
  Dec 7, 2007 at 11:01 am

  #*@*^ HERSHEY’S !!!!!!!!!!!!I WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN, THESE COMPANYS TAKE AWAY THESE JOBS WITH OUT THING ABOUT THE FACT THAT WHEN THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT WORKING THEY WILL NOT HAVE MONEY TO SPEND TO PUT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY, SO IN REALTY THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE JOBS LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Donna Van Buren
  Dec 7, 2007 at 1:27 pm

  Thank Goodness we have See’s chocolates to buy, and for those that don’t they can be purchased via the internet..They may not be as cheap as Hersheys, but they are better tasting and I would rather spend more on a company that cares enough about us to stay here..than on one who leaves the U.S. goes to another country, and hurts its faithful employees. No more Hershey’s for me! I hope Hershey Penn. gets so mad they change their name…

• laura
  Dec 9, 2007 at 7:18 am

  i grew up in york pa and visited hershey chocolate plant & park annually with my family - we had such good times..how sad to think an american icon could sell out to mexico…no more hersheys for me
  my once happy memories(remember the tall observation tower in the shape of a hershey kiss?!) have been clouded over by green greedy smog
  shame on hershey for destroying good times!

• Diane
  Dec 17, 2007 at 4:22 pm

  Did you know the premise on which Milton Hershey started his amibitious enterprise? When building the “unheard of” project during the depression, everyone declared Mr. Hershey must be insane. However, when a new large piece of equipment was introduced, a worker informed Mr. Hershey that this machine could do the work of 30 men. Deep in a depression, Mr. Hershey replied “Get rid of the machine and hire 30 men!” This move to Mexico in no way honors the memory of a citizen who did more for people during the depression than the government could do. What are these CEO’s thinking? It was Hershey’s good will that made a great company. Now it is the money grubbing underlings that will turn a sweet dream into a bittersweet memory.

• Randy
  Dec 19, 2007 at 9:46 am

  Hersheys should now have to print “made in Mexico” on their product or “Producto de Mexico” along with any other company doing outsourcing. I can then refuse to purchase those american companies doing so. I think a company focusing on Fully American Made would do well. Even if it’s more expensive, I would proudly purchase that product.

• Sarah
  Dec 19, 2007 at 9:54 am

  Never shall I buy another Hersheys product again. NEVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Becky
  Dec 19, 2007 at 10:47 am

  I think that everyone who reads about this and feels that this is another betrayal to Americans and our economy, needs to not only voice their opinions here, but everywhere and loudly too. Spread the word! Tell everyone (I have)! The best way to make a company this large listen is too let them know how we feel - the more people that come forward and let Hershey know that they and their friends and their families will boycott them for taking American jobs away. There is always a chance for them to rethink - afterall, the choices are stay in America & stay in business OR move to Mexico & put even those over-paid execs out of a job.
  Look at Lowe’s - they printed in their sales flyer that they were selling “Family Trees” for the holidays. The public outcry was so loud, that they retracted and apologized and, have since, changed it back to “Christmas Trees”.

  *food for thought *

• Vince Pfeiffer
  Dec 19, 2007 at 5:38 pm

  It is most unfortunate that an icon of Americana has to make decisions that ultimately will hurt the reputation and bottom line of the company. No one can really blame a company who needs to make a profit to stay afloat, from making decisions that are widely unpopular. I read most of the posts here and not once have I heard anyone ask why it is, an American company needs to relocate in order to make money; which in this Country has always been the motive of owning a business. I heard UNIONS, I heard TAXES on imports, I heard getting Freebies, and a lot of slam dunking. Most of that critisism may be well founded. Look at the California economy, they are taxing people and businesses out of business, Pennsylvania is no better. Between Federal, State, and Local Taxes and environmental restrictions, running a business is nearly inpossible. My friend owns a Chocolate manufacturing company near Hershy, PA, in Chester, PA. You cannot even imagine the legal hassels he has to deal with on a regular basis, just to market his products, all because of environmental, and other stupid regulations. I gave up owning a business for exactly those reasons. Rising insurance costs, legal requirements, taxes, and union issues involving employee health care benefits, how can any one of you get so upset over any business trying to salvage what is left of its company. Ask yourselves a question: Would you be willing yo forego your pay raises, or take a cut in benefits, or offset the cost of rising fuel costs by having that removed from your collective pay checks, maybe a reduction in your insurance benefits would help, or maybe you would like to let your 401 k plan not gain in value so companies like Hershey and others can maintain their pricing structure and not raise prices to offset added costs of busness. The real culprit in this whole thing is not Hershey, rather the government you all voted for that allows the government to shaft all of us to the point where they think our money is theirs and are in a position to take our money collectively. Liberalism or better described as the lunatic left wing environmentalists whose religion it is, to make this a green earth, are the real culprits. Their religion will end up controlling you all to the core. Today the president signed new regulations into law to raise the mileage standards of cars. Are you going to blame auto manufacturers when the close up shop and move elsewhere as well? Wake up people, Hersheys is a symptom, not the problem. Frankly, no one even comes close to a reeses peanut butter cup. If you remember Ross Perot describing that big sucking sound? He was right, NAFTA was a huge mistake. That is why this country does nothing to stop illegal immigration. It doesn’t matter what your political persuasion is, they all are in bed with globalism. The list you pick from that is exclusively American is very slim, and we all are guilty of allowing that to happen. Now that it is hitting an American tradition, we are standing up and wishing the company ill will without looking at what caused them to HAVE to make that choice. Even if you are from Rio Linda, the word hypocrite still comes to mind and means the same thing in any political language. The reality is simple. Ew are already in a global economy, and it happened right before our collective eyes. Why punish Hersheys for what is really your fault. That is like blaming a band aid for an injury because the sore needs to be healed. It isn’t the bandaids fault that you were injured. Neither is it Hersheys fault that in order to stay in business to compete, it has to relocate. After all, what is Hershey anymore, other than a huge corporate monolith? Hershey died a long time ago, and what really is in a name anymore?

• Gill
  Dec 20, 2007 at 2:29 pm

  Vince, your a bag of hot air that has read to many books but has no common sense.

  First–Reese’s is a Hershey product made in the town of Hershey!

  Second–they are making plenty of profit they just want more. When they cut the labor costs will the huge savings come back in the way of lower prices to the consumer? Milton Hershey School has over 6 BILLION yes BILLION in a trust fund from the company.

  Third-Milton Hershey is much more than a name–his generosity saved my life and made it better, along with thousands of other children. He and his wife exemplifiy what LOYALTY and commitment are about

  Instead of just jabbering to hear yourself talk why don’t you do a little research?

• J. Oakdale
  Dec 24, 2007 at 12:02 am

  I’ll never buy another Hershey’s product again.

• Camp Hill PA
  Dec 25, 2007 at 11:00 am

  It’s all so short sighted - As the value of the dollar continues to plummet, and the US continues to produce more and more product overseas, it will ultimately cost the consumer more out of pocket of our dwindling currency. The Chinese RMB has already gained 15% over the past year. The Canadian Loonie is on par at 1:1. Should the Peso start to rally against the dollar, we’re all toast.

• Sweetest Chocolate Posts of 2007
  Dec 31, 2007 at 9:16 am

  […] Hands down the most popular post here this year is still Hershey’s planned move to Mexico [and part two]. A lot of people are outraged, some totally missed the point, and most decided to […]

• Sherry Nichols
  Jan 8, 2008 at 6:06 pm

  How disappointed I am over the move to Mexico for Hershey’s Chocolate. I WILL NOT BUY NOR CONSUME any of their products again. I don’t
  care how global you say the economy is. The only thing you want is cheap labor and high prices just like the oil companies. I feel there is not reason to be loyal to a company the company
  is not loyal to the buyer.

• Loretta in Michigan
  Jan 10, 2008 at 9:53 am

  I can’t believe a company like Hershey’s Chocolate would do this to the people that made them what they are. I have eaten and baked with this wonderful chocolate for at least 53 years and I will now change to a different chocolate who’s company hasn’t somehow dishonored our country if I can find one. I do hope all the people in the United States will Boycott all of Hershey’s Products for the sake of our country. What ever happened to loyalty to our Great Country and the People?

• Susan in Lititz, PA
  Jan 12, 2008 at 12:02 pm

  Mr. Hershey was a very compassionate, unselfish man who married a selfless woman and together they built a school. The Milton Hershey School’s Mission Statement is:
  To nurture and educate children in financial and social need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
  To learn more about these amazing people:
  http://www.hersheypa.com/town_of_hershey/history/

• Robert Koveleskie
  Jan 17, 2008 at 1:48 pm

  Hershey is in the business of producing choclate products. The cost of production in the U.S. is no longer profitable for them and they had to go to Mexico where the cost of labor is much lower than the U.S.

  Frankly, I would not have cared if they had raised the price of a candy bar ten cents.

  Nevertheless, I loved Hershy candy bars, but lately I notice that the candy bar leaves a wsxy taste in your mouth.

  I will not be buying Hershey bars that are made in Mexico. In fact I don’t buy any food if I know it comes from Mexico.

  In the end, Hersehy did a lot for central Pennsylvania and nothing is forever.

  Get over it, guys!

• Saint Nick
  Jan 21, 2008 at 8:25 pm

  When all the jobs are gone to Mexico, What will
  the American public be buying when no has jobs?
  1928 will have seemed mild to whats coming if we keep exporting our jobs. Where will the CEO’s kids go to school or get a job? There will be none left here in the states. IF Wall Street doesn’t change Warren Buffet isn’t going to save their dumbasses!! This is a time to be alarmed….

• Rick Baird
  Jan 28, 2008 at 7:14 am

  I have been familiar with this issue since Oct. when, while on a tour bus trip in California, we had the pleasure of a rest stop in Oakdale. It was then that we heard about the pending relocation of the hershey plant.

  This is just another spin-off from NAFTA, (North American Free Trade Association), which promotes the relocation of American manufacturing to forgeign countries for cheaper labor/manufacturing cost. In the process, they eliminate U.S. jobs and then import their product back into the U.S., without tariffs, and expect the American consumer to buy their products.
  It is time to start saying “NO” to these so-called American Companies - if you are going to relocate the jobs outside of the country then don’t expect us to by your product.

  I find it amazing that none of the Presidential candidate have addressed the NAFTA issue, which is detrimental to our economy and country.

  I say to Hershey Company - if you don’t want to invest in the United States, that fine - but I also don’t have to invest in you. I can live without chocolate.

  Rick Baird

• Richard
  Jan 29, 2008 at 9:27 pm

  And they increase price.

  Hershey’s Candy Bars Going Up in Price
  price increase due to the rising cost of milk
  January 28, 2008
  By Marc Levy, AP Business Writer

  http://www.standeyo.com/NEWS/08_Food_Water/080129.Hershey.choc.up.html

• Death by Chocolate Contest: Vote for Chocolate Bytes!
  Feb 1, 2008 at 12:20 pm

  […] chose to do the Hershey’s Moves to Mexico post from last summer since it’s still the most popular entry here, and has garnered a lot of […]

• Heide Baird
  Feb 3, 2008 at 2:29 pm

  Like everything else in this country - the factories
  are all leaving for cheap labor - i am sooo
  ashamed of Hershey - I will NOT buy no more
  choclate from them - they do not care about the
  middle class here in america - and this will kick
  them in the butt in the future - i will tell all my
  friends not to buy hershey’s anymore. Pathetic!!

• Chris
  Feb 8, 2008 at 9:30 am

  Wow.

  First, how many people complaining here buy stuff at discount retailers like Wal-Mart? Everyone who does should just pipe down, because *y’all* are the ones forcing Hershey’s to cut costs in the first place. Hershey’s is bowing to the immense and constant pressure of their distributors/retailers/consumers to keep prices low and their shareholders to increase share price. Hershey’s is just the latest in a *long* series of US companies that have been forced by the US consumer market to offshore operations to keep prices down.

  Ironically, the greatest tragedy in this instance is that Hershey is going to retain control of the actual *product*, from formula to QA. They’d probably make better chocolate if they outsourced management of the company to Mexico as well. Latin America has a much longer and better run at making good eating and drinking chocolate than we do. So does Europe. Don’t feel bad - they did have a two- or three-century head start.

  So yes, by all means, stop buying Hershey’s and go find some good regional chocolate producers that care more about making quality product than about pleasing shareholders. Be ready to look a bit harder and pay a bit (or a lot) more for it, and be ready to accept that most good chocolate doesn’t come from the US, and what does is largely following traditions started elsewhere. Here’s a place to start - http://www.dilettante.com/

• Tom Sharp
  Feb 8, 2008 at 4:25 pm

  Our famiy will also join the ranks of boycotting Hershey products.Don’t these companies understand that the people they employ in this country are also the ones who buy there product .The downward spiral of the economy continues.

• Niki
  Feb 12, 2008 at 7:12 am

  This news saddens me, if true. Hershey’s products were always a treat and a staple in my home when I was growing up. Over the last two years, my husband, 7 yr old son and I have gotten into a new family tradition of going to Hershey, Pa. for Easter. No more.

  We were a little shocked, but not very surprised, when we heard of this news about 6 months ago. It is hardly a shock anymore when an American company packs up and moves to countries with lax standards, worker exploitation, low wages, low cost, low overhead and max profits.

  I guess that it was expecting too much to not think that the Hershey company would fall prey to this new corporate climate. Oh well, there is always Palmer’s or other companies like them that choose to operate in the US.

• deborah ross
  Feb 25, 2008 at 12:13 pm

  I wrote a letter to the comapny regarding my disappointment in their decision to trade off for profits on the backs of the American workers. This was (in part) their reply - I recieved this today.

  Our history in the town goes back more than 100 years, and we are
  committed to continue making the world’s best chocolate products in
  Hershey, Pennsylvania. In fact, the company operates - and will continue to
  operate - three factories in Hershey.

  The Hershey Company is making changes to our global manufacturing
  network to ensure that our company remains competitive in the global
  marketplace for the long-term. When these changes are completed, 90 percent of
  the items that Hershey sells in the United States and Canada will
  continue to be made in these countries. And we will continue to make
  Hershey’s milk chocolate bars, Hershey’s Kisses and Reese’s Peanut Butter
  Cups in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

• Jb
  Feb 25, 2008 at 2:51 pm

  While doing a report on Hershey for a college class I discovered the following. One of the reasons it is moving its plants to Mexico is because its sales in Mexico are growing and it just makes sense to produce products where they are going to be sold instead of making them somewhere else and then shipping them there, especially when your product is food. So before you assume the worst, why don’t you consider the fact that not all business decisions are ruthless. Some of them are just common sense.

• Charles Irby
  Feb 27, 2008 at 6:14 am

  Its amazing what people will do for greed. Because thats all it is. So just how many millions does a vice president or president of a company need. How many summer homes, yachts and expensive cars does anyone need. I hope the whole company goes broke. I really is sad.

• miranda
  Feb 28, 2008 at 1:48 am

  I don’t really buy Hershey’s anymore. i stick to snickers and midnight milky ways and m&ms. if they want to go ahead and make chocolate in mexico they can go right ahead. i don’t eat it. and who knows what they are putting into the hershey’s chocolate these days

• Robert Koveleskie
  Feb 28, 2008 at 7:57 am

  I, to, am very disappointed that Hersehy is moving to Mexico. Nevertheless, Hershey has dumbed down their choclate. Haven’t you noticed the waxy taste of the candy bar the last several years? Venting my ire will do not good so I am not going to get upset about it. We must thingk positive about this. Hershey leaving and dunbing down their candy bar allows an opportunity for us to start a choclate bar company and make millions?

• Robert Koveleskie
  Feb 28, 2008 at 8:01 am

  I, too.. not I “to.” Sorry for the typo. And not “thingk”–think. Will do no good and not do “not” good. Wow! I should have proofed the email But yo get the point of my quick email.

• Becky S
  Feb 28, 2008 at 8:07 am

  I’m from Michigan, just south of me is the city of Flint. In case you haven’t heard of it…. Flint used to be the home base of General Motors, until they decided to shut down the plants. Now, Flint is one of the worst places in the country to live, the crime rate is through the roof. If you want to get an idea of what exactly happens when a plant that supports a city shuts down, go find the documentary called “Roger & Me”, made by Micheal Moore… That shows the real travesty behind these kinds of moves…..

• Eric L
  Mar 10, 2008 at 3:14 pm

  I live in Oakdale, Ca, where one of the Hershey plants closed. One of the cool things about having the plant was the sweet smell of chocolate that would waft about the area. So sad that no one in my town will ever again have this pleasure.

  I feel sick to my stomach knowing that so many people in this community have lost their jobs. Chocolate festival? What chocolate? It just makes me sick. Sick sick sick. Throw the American worker under the bus for the almighty dollar!

  I’m just glad Hershey doesnt make M&Ms. Love em.

  I havent eaten a Hershey product in a year now since I heard they were moving. Screw that good for nothing company. So tired of the greed.

• Aaron Kautz
  Mar 26, 2008 at 8:05 am

  Hershey was an extraordinary man. He did more for the community during the depression, offering jobs, building schools and taking boys off the streets. I can’t believe that the new CEO’s would disgrace the name by closing plants and outsourcing to Mexico (I have nothing against our southern neighbors). And yes, I have noticed that the quality of Hershey chocolates to be sub par! -Aaron

• Eric L
  Mar 26, 2008 at 12:59 pm

  Looks like things are looking up a bit for Oakdale. A gourmet chocolate company has bought the former Hershey plant here, and offered jobs to alot of the old Hershey employees. I’m not sure when the plant starts production, or when they will even move in, but this is great news.

  Looks like one company values the American worker…..

• Heather
  Mar 26, 2008 at 1:12 pm

  That’s great news, Eric!

• cybele
  Mar 26, 2008 at 3:36 pm

  Eric, the company is called Sconza, they’re based in Oakland (a family owned business). They make some excellent chocolate covered toffee almonds … but I think you’ll be finding that out personally soon!

  The purchase should finalize in May and the production should start in October (in time for Christmas, I’m guessing).

• Candy
  Mar 26, 2008 at 8:41 pm

  WOW!!! Am I behind a few melinial? I am a choco - holic, One large Snickers a day, one whole german chocolate cake or one large solid chocolate easter bunny, it’s made no difference to me other than some incredible milk chocolate’s by See’s, Bedre’, and I have always preferred Nestle. With 5 children, there is always an over flow of chocolate something in our house…..So, why am I just learning about this? Must have been the chocolate rock I’ve been living under. I have a radio show and can’t wait to shout from the roof tops to my listener’s “No more HERSHEY’S”!!!!! I’m part Mexican, sorry, still NO MORE HERSHEY”S! Please, post an e - mail address where I can buy from the company that purchased the Hershey’s plant. I would love to show them some American support. God bless the cocoa bean!!!

• Nmoerbeek
  Apr 4, 2008 at 10:12 pm

  Hershey’s is an American institution.

  Now I would rather buy a can of green beans than eat a Hershey bar.

• Jeff
  Apr 16, 2008 at 2:31 pm

  Death to Hershey’s never again, how can we start a national campaign to kick there butts out, they don’t want us working for them, we don’t want them here in the U.S. Also we should demand that Hershey, PA change its name to something else, this company as well as many others have proven themselves unworhty to call themselves American. Stand up Americans, before there is nothing to stand up for.

• The Gnome
  Apr 28, 2008 at 6:54 am

  Just remember this and all the other companies that have fled the US, and then remember who’s husband signed NAFTA and who’s father pushed for the bill. Politicians today are all corrupt and on the take without exception of their political affiliation. They are all crooked, self centered, egotistical baffoons. From the White House and Congress through every state capital and right down to the local level.
  I’m sure that if the founding fathers were able to return to the 21st century, they would be here about 5 minutes before they signed a new Declaration of Independence. Only this time it would be a declaration against corporate greed, political corruption, and political correctness.
  God save America!

• Sam
  May 7, 2008 at 7:54 am

  Candy(etal)
  All should read the story of Sconza Candy Company who bought the Oakdale California Hershy plant I believe the web site is http://www.sconzacandy.com

  I don’t know anything about candy production and only wonder how much clean water is needed in the production process?? MEXICO???

• Tricia
  May 14, 2008 at 11:09 pm

  People wear clothes that say made in Mexico, China ect. Its not different if if a chocolate bar is made elsewhere too. The supplies will all still be the same “Hershey’s” the only thing that is changing is the location where the labor takes place.
  Now, we Americans complain about immigration but yet we go to Mexico and take advantage of people through cheap labor.
  “Americans”: before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.

• Andy
  May 20, 2008 at 8:59 pm

  You guys are hypocrites! It’s horrible. how many of you purchase from GAP? Gap had sweatshops in India recently. It’s not like Hershey’s will not be the same ever again. How about you guys move over to mexico and see what you think. Although we are in a recession, we are still the basis for their economy as well. We are “Americans”. Who is a true american, huh? Almost no one! We come from diversity, different countries. You guys need to chill out over this situation. I still love Hershey’s, but when the day comes that they are becoming like Wal-mart, I’ll have to put my foot down.

• SUSAN
  May 29, 2008 at 12:51 pm

  Has anyone checked with Hershey. As I understand it when I called the number on the package, Hershey is opening a plant in Mexico to sell to the people of Mexico and not taking away jobs from here due to the new plant. Companys close plants for multiple reasons. Also the package will state if it was made in another country. I will look on all packages and not buy from the Mexico products.

• kevin
  Jun 4, 2008 at 12:20 pm

  i’ve been wondering about this too, i sent them an email today. i’m just thinking, if they move to mexico, and make products there, wouldn’t that cause us to lose money because we’re buying from another country?
  thats my concern with a lot of companies, if they brought them back here we could keep our money in our country.
  and who cares about shareholders? they can put their money somewhere else if they need to. the hershey bar is the great AMERICAN chocolate bar for a reason.

• Becky S
  Jun 6, 2008 at 6:32 am

  My major point and issue with this whole move to Mexico is that Hershey is closing its plant in Hershey, PA. Thus, leaving a city of people who have been devoted to the company out of their jobs. The whole town has dedicated itself to the chocolate plant, they even have a theme park. I honestly can not imagine that they will be able to survive effectively with that much of a loss. Just look up Flint, MI, a town that used to thrive on GM plants and, since most of the plants have closed, the city has gone to hell. It has one of the highest crime rates in the country. Unemployment soars there. Flint is now is such a sad state from what it used to be.

• jake adams
  Jun 11, 2008 at 7:30 am

  i think that the transition is good because the people without jobs will now have jobs and the parents might get minumum wage wich is better then what they had before and the children wont have to be forced to work to help keep the family alive.

• Lynn
  Jun 15, 2008 at 5:52 am

  This is very sad indeed..I cant imagine going the rest of my life without Hersheys chcolate. I guess if someone gives me Hersheys Ill buy it..otherwise Ill stick to Lindt. And of course SEE’s.

• cybele
  Jun 16, 2008 at 1:08 pm

  You know, Hershey’s will still be made in the US … about 90% of the current product line will still be American made. Just look at the package.

  There will be some items made in Mexico that will be available in US, but the majority of the stuff made in Mexico is for Mexico or other Central American markets.

  Anyone who thinks that Hershey’s is closing their iconic Hershey, PA factory is sadly misinformed.

• Heather
  Jun 16, 2008 at 1:24 pm

  Cybele, you’ve brought up an extremely good point about Hershey not closing the plant in PA — I think people just aren’t reading the article thoroughly or don’t realize there are more plants than just that one. All I’ve been able to find out about PA is that they’ve laid off workers, but that happens.

• Betty
  Jul 4, 2008 at 3:07 pm

  I wish no companies felt that they had to leave the U.S. to survive. We know there is greed among shareholders and CEO’s, and even among unions. CEO’s have convinced themselves they are more important than they really are - hence the excessive perks. Shareholders demand more and more dividends no matter what it costs others - like losing jobs. I understnad that unioni bosses help good people keep their jobs, but they also convince people to ask for more and more until business gets fed up and moves away. Sometimes labor leaders are the greediest of the bunch. I’ve never seen a union leader dress in clothes off the rack or live a simple life. What’s up with that? We do need business leaders who are not out of touch with their workers and are straight with their workers. We need less union interference, not more. They, like politicians, are definitely out of touch with the rank and file. Sometimes I even wish we could go back a little when “wants” weren’t necessities. Haven’t we all heard that there are very few real necessities in life? Yes, we could make enough money to live and have some left for savings and family vacations. The reality is that we have become obsessed with the latest toys and having it all that we can’t understand anything else! My conclusion is that our excessive consumerism should take some of the blame for our sad lives in this country. We have convinced ourselves that we should be able to have more than we need. We have so much that storage units are needed to keep excessive amounts of “things” that we don’t use or even see. I’m not sure this is what we really should be doing. I don’t even know many people who have a lot of “things” and are happy. Have we gone too far? Should we hold ourselves, business, and our polilticians responsible for making it nearly impossible to compete with other countries in manufacturing? For example, how about GM, Ford, etc.? Why didn’t they jump on the bandwagon and manufacture small fuel efficient cars after the fuel shortage in the 70’s? They could have had a great future and would not have had to close plants in this country if they had done it. Instead, they were thinking in the past and were too stubborn to change their ways. They (and all of us) lost! I can’t stand to hear them whine about low sales and having to close plants when they brought it on themselves. I’m rambling so I hope this isn’t impossible to understand. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we have all had a part in the demise of American business here in the U.S. If we want cheaply made products, and if we want to see more jobs move away, keep it up! Then we’ll have a lot to be angry about!

• cybele
  Jul 5, 2008 at 9:00 am

  I know that there are so many comments here that this will not be read but here goes:

  Hershey’s moved their CANADIAN production facilities to Mexico … not their American ones. They closed several factories and consolidated some production (including outsourcing the some of the cocoa roasting and cocoa liquor production to another company that performs this in the US, not overseas)

  Heather, perhaps you should update the post to include this information:

  http://www.hersheys.com/faqs/faq-corporate.asp#faq_top

• ericl
  Jul 5, 2008 at 9:24 am

  Cybele, hershey DID in fact close at least one American production facility…..the one in my home town….

• cybele
  Jul 5, 2008 at 9:43 am

  ericl - I’m not saying that they didn’t close factories. (Actually, I did say exactly that, please read more carefully, they just closed different ones for different reasons.)

  I’m saying that they didn’t move production of candy for the American market to Mexico. They moved production of candy for the Central American market to Mexico (they were exporting things). They also outsourced some of the raw material production to AMD, Cargill & Blommer (all American companies).

  I just think it’s oversimplifying things saying that the jobs were shipped off to Mexico and that we’re all going to end up buying Mexican candy … that’s simply not true.

  People who say that they’re going to boycott Hershey’s now are just throwing out the baby with the bathwater. You want to support American jobs, that’s great! But then make sure you’re buying American candy … Hershey’s still makes American candy and if you still think that the people employed by Hershey’s in the US deserve to have jobs, then keep buying the stuff that says Made in the USA … boycott the Mexican, Canadian or other imported candies.

  I think if people want to rail against something it should be American sugar subsidies. American confectioners pay several times the global market price for sugar, and for candies that are made mostly of sugar (hard candies, taffies, licorice, etc.) it makes little financial sense to make them in the states when it’s a fraction of the cost to make them Mexico (or Brazil as Nestle does) even without the labor taken into account. Stockholders and Wall Street put a lot of pressure on companies to be super-efficient and super-profitable.

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