Case Study : Hershey Co.

Hershey’s and Cadburys are moving towards the premium chocolate market through the acquisition or upmarket launches (Zietsma, 2007). The profit potential present in this sector supported by its 20% annual growth rate make it very attractive for large organizations to come forward and avail this opportunity. There is a low threat of new entrants prevailing in this chocolate industry because of the high capital requirements and expected retaliation by current manufacturers. Current players in the industry also possess some barriers to entry for new entrants by maintaining economies of scales with their large production capacity and keeping their product differentiation with their specialized and novelty chocolate products. Even though there are low switching costs and easy access to distribution channels, but still the brand loyalty of the customers including the Rogers’ Chocolate itself make it harder for new firms to come into the competition.

thehersheycompany.com went on to say that the Hershey Chocolate is focused on growing their company globally and sharing Hershey 's chocolate around the world.

The Hershey Company and Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. have weathered the ”Great Depression” with a history of more than one hundred years in the confectionary candy making industry. Their vision and longevity have pushed them into the twenty first century to meet the needs of the community, consumer, affordability, environment and healthy control portions. Both companies have made available, reduced sugar, sugar free, nut free, peanut free and gluten free products that is reflected in their candies, gum and mints. The two companies are worth investing in, but may be better than the other.

The Hershey Company is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, and chocolate-related grocery products. The company is also a leader in the gum and mint manufacturer category as well. In this paper, I will discuss the history of the Hershey Company and the impact it has on the United States and the rest of the world.

Milton Hershey singlehandedly revolutionized the chocolate industry in the United States. In his time, he was one of the few major company owners who actually cared about his workers and their well-being. Not only was he setting the bar for treatment of workers, he was the first man to bring the decadence of milk chocolate, previously reserved for only the richest of folk, to the mass market of America. While bringing milk chocolate to the masses, he also established a sustainable source for his ingredients, a rarity for that time. In his wake of successfulness, many imitators and copies soon followed with their own brands of chocolate. However, Milton Hershey was the leading philanthropist and business leader of his time with his use of sustainable ingredients and his commendable efforts in times of war.

The chocolate industry operates in an oligopoly market. An oligopoly is when a small number of firms dominate the market. While not a quite a monopoly, an oligopoly market is still controlled by a select number of companies and the market can be directly impacted by one or two major firms (Oligopoly Investopedia). Hershey’s has control of the largest market share, holding 44.4% (U.S Market Share). Mars Incorporated follows behind in second by holding 28.9%. While these two companies hold much of the control and power within the industry, LIndt/Ghirardelli and Nestlé maintain a combined share of 15.1% of the industry’s market. This means that four companies hold a combined 88.4% of the market, with two of them holding a combined 73.3%. The market was not always this way however. Up through the 1960s many candy suppliers were regional.

After 40 years of dedicated service for the Kroger Co., it is with mixed emotions that I announce the retirement of Patty Johnson, District 1 Drug G/M Coordinator. Patty joined the Kroger Co. in 1976 as a cashier and has held many leadership roles through the years, including Lead Bookkeeper, HR for new store openings, District Accounting trainer, Key Retailing Specialist, FE Coordinator, Quevision rollout Coordinator, WiES Coordinator and Drug/GM Coordinator.

With the increasing trend in healthy diet preference, the underlying drivers of change of competition in premium chocolate industry at the strongest level are the buyers’ preferences for differentiated, refined products, instead of standardized ordinary products that are no longer demanded. In addition, baby boomers - generation with their disposable income are spending a lot on high quality premium chocolates.

For over one hundred years, there has been only one company that has been on top of the candy industry in North America; Hershey. With over 14,000 employees, serving 70 countries worldwide and net sales of $6.6 billon, Hershey has come out on top. The Hershey company began in 1894 by Milton Hershey. The company has over 8 factories, but their main headquarters resides in Pennsylvania. The beloved Hershey milk chocolate bar has been a favorite by many, but would it still be if more people knew how it came to be that? One of chocolates main ingredients is cocoa. Cocoa, or cocoa beans come from tropical areas around the world, but is mostly found on the Ivory Coast in West Africa. Hershey, along with Mars and Nestle are the three major companies that buy their cocoa from West Africa, but with further investigation, it has been known that over 4,400 children work on those cocoa farms that they buy from.

M&M’s biggest competitor is Hershey’s brand like M&M candies. The competition is fierce among the chocolate industry. Hershey and Mars are rivals and want the opportunity to gain more of the market share. In 1954, Hershey-ettes were introduced to compete against the similar M&M’s. However, they were not successful and are generally only available for consumers around the Holiday season. By the millennium, Hershey extended the popular Hershey Kisses brand in creating the Kissables. Hershey intended for direct competition to M&M small candy coated round tablet of chocolate in multitude of colors. The candy factories started in standard size packs and by the 70’s moved into standard size candy boxes. In the current year and season, you will find M&M’s in candy canes to small snack sizes and inside ornamental objects. The chocolate world becomes difficult to present as it becomes difficult to come up with new ideas in the candy business. As more companies release products similar to the M&M’s, it will become increasingly difficult for Mars to continue to command the level of market share in the chocolate candy industry and the product has a potential to get lost in the supermarket aisle.

Born into a poor, lower-class family, Milton S. Hershey dropped out of school before reaching the fourth grade. He developed an interest in becoming a confectioner. He believed there would be great demand for affordable, mass-produced chocolate, and thus he built the Hershey Chocolate Company. Hershey’s is now the largest producer of quality chocolates in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Although he enjoyed making money, Milton S. Hershey was intent on using his vast fortune for philanthropic purposes. He decided to surround his enterprise with a model town and personally financed the building of roads, utilities,

Hershey chocolate is known as one of the world’s most popular chocolate brands. For 118 years, the Hershey brand remains a favorite chocolate treat in over 90 different countries. Beginning only manufacturing milk chocolate, the company today manufacturers over 100 different varieties of candy. Many people are familiar with the traditional Hershey milk chocolate bar, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and bite sized Hershey kisses. The process behind producing these famed treats is a fascinating process. By evaluating the company’s manufacturing process and business dynamics, consumers can gain a better perspective of the science behind the candy the enjoy most.

The Hershey Company, known until April 2005 as the Hershey Foods Corporation and commonly called Hershey 's, is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America. Its headquarters are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is also home to Hershey 's Chocolate World. It was founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 as the Hershey Chocolate Company, a subsidiary of his Lancaster Caramel Company. Hershey 's products are sold in about sixty countries worldwide. In addition, Hershey is a member of the World Cocoa Foundation. The company has been topped to 384, compared with the previous rank 404, in 2013 (CNN, 2013). This paper is going to show the company’s international environment,

Manny Flavors Cookie Company (MFCC) is a reputable family owned business that has been in operations since 1889. Now in its fourth generation of ownership, MFCC’s sales have flourished and it is important that the business continue to grow to its fullest potential. Despite the success of the company, MFCC is currently experiencing problems on the operating floor. Willie Keepum, Vice President of Operations at the company, wishes to terminate all of the employees because he believes that many of the employees have a negative attitude and have become complacent about the quality of the product. Disregarding the opinions of the mid-level managers, he believes that firing the employees will show the workers who is in charge because there is nothing anyone can do to make the employees motivated to work. The current paper will explain the problems that MFCC face and how these problems may affect the company in its future business endeavors. Then, there will be an explanation of how a change in leadership style can benefit the organization more than terminating any employees. Lastly, alternative solutions will be stated to resolve the problems faced by workers and leaders on the operating floor of MFCC.

The hershey food cooperation is a confectionery kind of industry that was founded in 1894 by Milton Hershey who is a candy-manufacturer who decided to try adding chocolate to his caramels; transforming the name of his enterprise the Hershey Chocolate. This new factory was located strategically near dairy farms and surrounded by the spirits of hardworking people , by 1900 production of the delicious mil chocolate took place. Followed that, the launch of so many