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Hershey to Close Reading, Pa., Plant
Forbes ^ | April 23, 2007

Posted on 04/24/2007 8:21:11 AM PDT by Wolfie

Hershey to Close Reading, Pa., Plant

The Hershey Co., the nation's leading candy maker, said Monday that it will shut down a plant in Reading as part of a wider move to cut labor and materials costs.

The closing, which will affect about 260 unionized employees, is the company's second plant-closing announcement in a little over two months.

"Our network operates at less than half of capacity (over seven days) and we must make significant changes to remain competitive," Hershey (nyse: HSY - news - people ) spokesman Kirk Saville said.

Saville said the company would work out severance agreements with the workers and close the plant in 2008. Hershey is looking to shift more manufacturing to India, China, Mexico and contractors in the United States, and has already announced it will cut up to 900 of the 3,000 workers from three plants in its hometown.

Hershey originally purchased the Reading plant from the Dietrich Corp. in 1987 and brought aboard the Luden's cough drop brand and the Fifth Avenue chocolate bar.

The plant also makes York Peppermint Patties, Reese's crispy crunch bars and Jolly Ranchers. The plant is about 40 miles east of the company headquarters in the town named for the chocolate magnate, Milton S. Hershey.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: hershey; manufacturing; melamine; pityparty; sayunionyes; usda
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To: mysterio

If the employees make THAT much money the CEO can’t get nearly the bonus he’s entitled to.


241 posted on 04/24/2007 3:51:36 PM PDT by abigailsmybaby
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To: BlackbirdSST
There is a WORLD price and a USA price.

>>>>>I know this.....Lobby Congress to level the playing field,

Don't you understand? HE IS LOBBYING CONGRESS. He is using the only language the socialists, the lawyers and the unions understand (or at least, the only one they will listen to!). Having 250 people lose their jobs in his district, hard as that is, is WAY more effective that politely sitting in a Congressman's office complaining about labor laws, or environmental regs, or taxes, or ........

Like I said, the market is ruthlessly kind. Like your dad whacking your behind. It gets your attention.

242 posted on 04/24/2007 3:51:52 PM PDT by DreamsofPolycarp (Ron Paul in '08)
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To: DreamsofPolycarp

Don’t forget that Bill Clinton said, “move over, honey, I’ve gotta’ take this call” to Monica when Alfonso Fanjul called. But don’t worry, I’ve been assured on this thread that we are willing to pay ten cents more for a candybar.


243 posted on 04/24/2007 3:51:52 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Abby4116

~LOL~ we might starve... I was shocked to find out garlic powder comes from China, our vitamins are made in China, etc... they have managed (probably with a great deal of help from Bill Clinton) to permeate every segment of our food industry.


244 posted on 04/24/2007 3:53:11 PM PDT by Arizona Carolyn ( If you want on or off the pet and human food and drug ping list let me know)
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To: DreamsofPolycarp
He winds up spending so much time on the road that the question is not exactly the question you think you are asking.

Oh no, it's the right question, though it was rhetorical, and you did at least get around to answering it.

He does have a home in Shanghai, though. He also has his home here which he has had for years. His kids are grown, and his wife loves to travel.

Well, finally one of them at least shows he has the courage of his own (misguided) convictions and walks the walk. I'm sure he has the full faith and credit of the communist behind his "property rights" and I'm sure nothing will ever put that in jeopardy.

We should all be so lucky.

Well, luck per say, is a moving "target", literally. Blackbird.

245 posted on 04/24/2007 3:56:21 PM PDT by BlackbirdSST (A vote for rudyputin IS a vote for the hildabeast!)
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To: dragnet2
I'm surprised you're still here.

And I am surprised that even now you have no idea why people like us, who have started and run businesses and employed people like you FOR YEARS, are leaving. Despite having the stuff literally rubbed in your face, all you can do is blab on about "greed" or recite some shop stewards speech about how the big guys don't care about anything but themselves.

Did you know that the average business owner who relocates overseas makes LESS than $300,000 a year? Did you know that these people know about our labor laws, our unions, our tax structures, and most importantly, THEY KNOW ABOUT HOW AMERICANS VIEW THE SUCCESSFUL AS TARGETS? They will tell you flat out that you can buy your way out of fines, regulations and taxes. Did you know that China and India target American entrepeneurs? They tell you that you can keep ALL you make and will help you set up foreign corporations so that the IRS cannot get at your foreign income. Indian businessmen laugh at the IRS and how America is one of the very few grasping countries that seeks to tax the income of its citizens overseas. Do you still not get it? American businessmen are patriotic, but not suicidal in the name of patriotism. Call that treasonous if you will, but until you start to realize that the corporate fatcats are the reason most of us have jobs, they will continue to leave.

246 posted on 04/24/2007 4:08:34 PM PDT by DreamsofPolycarp (Ron Paul in '08)
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To: DreamsofPolycarp

247 posted on 04/24/2007 4:10:52 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: BlackbirdSST

Hershey’s profit is probably due to diversification and the closing of unprofitable plants.


248 posted on 04/24/2007 4:11:56 PM PDT by AmishDude (It doesn't matter whom you vote for. It matters who takes office.)
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To: DreamsofPolycarp
Indian businessmen laugh at the IRS and how America is one of the very few grasping countries that seeks to tax the income of its citizens overseas. Do you still not get it?

Oh, I get it. As I said earlier, I am surprised you're still here.

No IRS, no regulations, no drunk American employees, no environmental concerns, no unions, few laws, no lawyers, etc. Sounds like an employers paradise.

Good luck in Ecuador or India, where ever you relocate.

249 posted on 04/24/2007 4:15:25 PM PDT by dragnet2
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To: DreamsofPolycarp

Oh, almost forgot the most important thing...Employees that work for next to nothing!!


250 posted on 04/24/2007 4:18:08 PM PDT by dragnet2
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To: Wolfie

Too many diets, greed, or too few illegal immigrants? The exodus continues by companies made successful by free enterprize and the American people.


251 posted on 04/24/2007 4:25:26 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Duncan Hunter '08)
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To: Paperdoll

And yet so many people cheer it. Can’t figure out why they hate America so much.


252 posted on 04/24/2007 4:28:25 PM PDT by Wolfie
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To: Wolfie

btt


253 posted on 04/24/2007 4:29:29 PM PDT by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: Millee
I’m sick of all these jobs moving out of the country.

Why? Are you having trouble finding a job? The unemployment rate continues to hover at all-time lows and our economy is the envy of the rest of the world. Anybody that wants a good job in this country can find one. All it takes is a little initiative and the desire to learn new things. Employers in this country are starved for people who show up every day on time and have a good, positive attitude and a desire to work.

Unless you are a deadbeat that wants everything handed to you, you will never go hungry in this country. (And even if you are, you probably still won't go hungry.)

254 posted on 04/24/2007 4:30:00 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (I am 91 days away from outliving Curt Hennig (whoever he is))
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To: Abby4116

Country of origin labeling? Now there’s a “nonstory” that nobody will talk about.


255 posted on 04/24/2007 4:35:39 PM PDT by Freedom4US
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To: AmishDude
Hershey’s profit is probably due to diversification and the closing of unprofitable plants.

Unfortunately, I saw no refernce to that in the html version, annd the pdf can't D/L without being corrupted. You could be speaking a whole truth for all I know. I could even get on board IF they weren't moving these supposed low performers but instead were just consolidating. As it stands with the available info, 250 otherwise productive taxpayers are NO LONGER so (knuckledragging union members or not). The same can't be said for the Communist Chinese. They'll probably put 2500 people (speculation on my part in lieu of any more facts)to work and still do it cheaper. We will never compete with that without dessimating our entire Middle Class. I know I know, class warfare. Despite the rhetoric, that's the way it is. Blackbird.

256 posted on 04/24/2007 5:02:40 PM PDT by BlackbirdSST (A vote for rudyputin IS a vote for the hildabeast!)
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To: Owl_Eagle; brityank; Physicist; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA; GOPJ; abner; baseballmom; Mo1; Ciexyz; ...

Let’s blame Rendell.


257 posted on 04/24/2007 5:03:29 PM PDT by Tribune7 (A bleeding heart does nothing but ruin the carpet)
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To: AmishDude
Americans should all have studied hard in our overpriced schools so that they aren’t unskilled and can get high-order jobs that require calculus.

I did. Have the Ph.D. to prove it. And my employer is downsizing skilled workers in our Research Laboratories. It is economics - there are skilled Koreans, Indians, and Chinese who will do my job for less. These same foreign companies are investing in technology. Our managers see manufacturing facilities as overhead and employees as an expense. That said, I would rather be where I am with job skills than without.

258 posted on 04/24/2007 5:40:22 PM PDT by RochesterFan
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To: Wolfie
Hershey is looking to shift more manufacturing to India, China, Mexico and contractors in the United States,

First kid:“Hey, you just got Melamine in my peanut butter!”
Second kid:“Yea, but you just got peanut butter in my Melamine”
Announcer: “The two great tastes that just taste great together – Reeses Peanut Butter Cups – now with Melamine (from your friends in China)

Well Fido liked it…. Well at least he did……

I’m making a joke but this really isn’t funny.

I recently saw an article about how American farmers were now doing well financially by growing corn for bio-fuel. Too bad we can’t eat bio-fuel. Just what are we going to eat?
259 posted on 04/24/2007 5:45:22 PM PDT by Caramelgal (Rely on the spirit and meaning of the teachings, not on the words or superficial interpretations)
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To: browardchad

The quote is from the FDA - which does not include meat, seafood, etc. (they are regulated by USDA). It refers to canned and packaged goods.


260 posted on 04/24/2007 6:04:21 PM PDT by Abby4116
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