The Hershey Co. closed its Reading plant yesterday, shutting down production lines that for 23 years have produced such storied sweets as York Peppermint Patties and 5th Avenue Bars.
The production lines at the plant are being moved to Monterrey, Mexico, and other facilities in the United States as part of a restructuring of Hershey's, the nation's largest candy manufacturer. More...
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48 comments:
Yuck..., DO NOT DRINK THE WATER! That is a warning when traveling to Mexico. I sure as h--- won't eat Hershey candy bars from there.
just one more thing moving out of the USA. keep it up & we will all be unemployed. they cant seem to do anything right the first time, & then they have to bring it back to the USA to fix it & make it right. just like MORGAN A M & T does, no wonder they have to eliminate people & do a layoff.
What a slap in the face. I'm sick of it. I'll NEVER buy another Hershey product again.
I hope the Mexicans like chocolate...people should boycott Hershey's products, I know there are alot of competitors out there who make decent chocolate right here in the US. I think Obama should reward the companies that stay here and make companies that leave the US pay.
Hershey was as American as the apple pie. Now they are as Mexican as the taco. Must be Obama doesn't like chocolate or he would keep this factory in the US.
Let's all Stop Buying from Hershey!
For sure, boycott HERSHEY!! It pains me to say that, but we need to send a message people. Grow a pair and make a difference, look at the labels and buy american, if you can't find american go without!
I'm all for BOYCOTTING these candy bars and asking each and every reader on this blog to do the same and pass the word to all of your e-mail friends.
We must take a stand!
I wonder if they will find that the chocolate is bad, you know just like all of the other products made out of the States. ie, kids toys for the paint and the list goes on.
I guess this company has just lost my business as well!
If I did buy patties or 5th avenues, I'd be willing to pay more just to know they are produced in the US, let alone in PA. Pretty sure I am not alone.
Rendell, where are you?????
This is a another major closing of a plant in YOUR state...guess you do not think that unemployed voters in PA matter since you can not run for re-election again?
PA will be the next California at this rate!
York Peppermint Patties were one of my favorite treats, will go without now!
First, don't blame Obama for the company leaving the United States. He didn't start this.
Second....I agree with boycotting. If ALL Americans started boycotting imported products, it would make a difference and send a sign to Washington. We as a country love to complain, but we sit back and do nothing. We do have the power to effect change, but we all need to act on it together. If we started manufacturing all our goods in the USA, then we could put all our people back to work. Companies say they cannot afford to keep the manufacturing here. That wouldn't be true if it weren't for the corporate execs basically raping the companies out of sheer greed!
"First, don't blame Obama for the company leaving the United States. He didn't start this."...
You are so right, CLINTON did and BUSH did nothing to change it!
I do agree with the rest of your post.
You can point the finger at Hershey, Obama, Rendell, or anyone that you want, but the real blame for all of this "outsourcing" is the plain and simple fact that the majority of american factory workers are overpaid and companies are all over taxed by the government and the unions don't help by inflating salaries. If you were running a business that paid there 100 assembly line workers $30/hour and you could replace the people with workers that were paid $5/hour and your company saved over $5 million a year you would restructure too!! Don't get me wrong, I am NAT for outsourcing, but when you start pointing the finger and threatining boycotts, you need to look in the mirror first...maybe the blame doesn't lie so far away....
Workers on the assembly line at the York plant were making $30 an hour? You sure about that?
take away Potter County's Ed Council, no one cares. Move a chocolate factory to Mexico (from a place 3 hours from here) and its an uproar. all i can do is LOL.
I'm done buying Hershey bars. Wait till it is not safe in Mexico and move more of your company there. Way to go!
Obama is making the biggest changes in our nations history in the least amount of time. By the time his mistakes are known it may be to late. Blame bush all you want, the fact is he is gone. We were on the edge of the cliff with Bush, obama took the wheel and is steering us right over the cliff in a direct line. We may not survive.
Have any of you taken a moment to read the regulations for the wind energy industry in Potter County?
What kind of industry do you think is going to come here and why would any here stay with all the newer more restrictive changes they need to make to keep up with all the regulations.
"you need to look in the mirror first...maybe the blame doesn't lie so far away...."
You are joking, right? I do not receive $30 an hour and do not know of any of my friends that do either!
"If you were running a business that paid there 100 assembly line workers $30/hour and you could replace the people with workers that were paid $5/hour and your company saved over $5 million a year you would restructure too!"...
You betch ya, and if they loose their ass in the move, guess what, they are forgiven and can start all over again with a clean slate, back in the states!
It's the NAFTA way! Way to go Washington!
gotta agree with Mr Neg.
As far as government, by in large, we get what we deserve.
Ed Council...Candy Bars...Ed Council...Candy Bars...Rather have the cool sensation of a Peppermint Patty.
I'm not saying you shouldn't boycott Hershey products...it could make a difference. But a better message if we want to stop this bleeding is to tell our state and federal reps. to stop taxing and regulating us so much. Hershey is making this move to be more profitable. I cannot blame them. I do blame D.C. and Harrisburg though.
If you people really wanted to help the US Business, you would stop buying from WALMART. They are the number one reason for our loss of manufacturing. Boycott the problem start today. Don't buy from WALMART
How do you figure that WALMART has an affect on U.S. manufacturing? They are a retailer, not a manufacturer. It isn't Walmarts fault that they can sell foreign products for less than they can U.S. products. How many things are made in the U.S. that can't be imported from outside the U.S. and be sold for a lower price. I go back to my original statement...due to overinflated salaries, our government taxes, greedy management and labor unions, it is no longer feasible to buy American goods...
No it's not their fault, but you can't even find US made products any more. They put Rubbermaid out of business for gods sake with all the cheap (read that as "inexpensive junk") products they carry. Hey, why buy a US made product that actualy lasts 4 years for $40 when I can buy a new foreign made one each year for $10! It's the same, except that the former keeps jobs here in the US. Yes we have many, many levels of corruption, mismanagment, OVERPOPULATION, IMMEGRATION, and a lot more. Don't worry, in a year or so when they announce the new "world economy" we'll all be OK again. The fat lady is warming up her voice....
As much as I love the Hershey chocolate, I will also be boycotting.
As for the Ed Council, I would have rather seen more classes on helping the younger people toward college or jobs than for learning how to knit or grow herbs. I don't think that's any big loss.
And as much as I HATE restrictions, I do think there should be restrictions on trade.
Put your seat belts on America because we are in for a ride!
mr. neg,
do your homework on WalMart. if you think a HUGE retailer has no effect on manufacturing then I'm not quite sure you understand what the comment was meant to convey or how business works.
Several years ago, I read an article about Vlasic pickles being forced into bankruptcy by WalMarts business tactics. A huge retail machine can be devastating to manufacturers if they use their clout to bully them around. In turn it also hurts those who supply the manufacturers (the ripple effect).
I agree with the other portions of your post but be careful not to lose credibility by making assertions that demonstrate you didn't think things all the way through before posting. Of course we are all prone to "fly off" without careful deliberation when it comes to issues that are important to us.
There is a book out now called "The WalMart Effect". Perhaps we could all benefit by reading it.
I hope our great nation can withstand the difficulties ahead...
I have read "The Walmart Effect". It is a book based on the writers opinion of the U.S. economy. I'm not saying that Walmart is perfect and they have their issues just like any other retailer, but Americans can't survive on American products. You are stating that you can buy a $40 American item that last 4 years or a new $10 foreign item every year for 4 years, but if the American item didn't have any competition in the first place it would cost $140 not $40. It is all a case of supply and demand. Our economy can not continue to grow forever because it will run out of space and hit a wall, just like it has recently. America is a great place to live, but it is not a perfectly run country by far and Americans have shot themselves in the foot by demanding more and more from society. The terrorist are laughing at us right now because this is what they want to happen. With direct attacks on U.S soil, they know that Americans will pull together to fight the common enemy, but instead they can now sit back and watch us destroy ourselves trying to survive.
Here is a good link on the real "Walmart Effect"
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5474.html
mr. neg,
your last post was excellent!
I am happy the Reading plant shutdown they were the largest polluter in the Reading area. As for the loss of jobs that is unfortunate but Americans need to stop whining and start doing like we did a long time ago. Get educated and get new jobs and get off you high horse we aren't owed anything in this day and age.
Craig
I largely agree w/ Mr. Neg and the poster who brought up high taxes and a lot of regs in Pa. Another piece of the puzzle is the federal quota the U.S. puts on sugar. Here's protectionism for U.S. sugar producers--saving U.S. jobs. But what it does is drive up the price of sugar and candy for American consumers or in this case help drive an American confectioner's facilities out of the U.S. Too much government is the problem. More regs or more protectionism will just make it worse in the long run.
Yeah Craig, Absolutely perfect! Why people think the are owed a living and neednot earn a living. If ya want something bad enough, work for it....
I think the chocolate will be better than it ever was. Mexico is a fine country I mean how ignorant do you have to be to think that the water will not be treated before they make any chocolate. What do you think because it is in Mexico they will just be using water out of some stagnant pond?? Give me break. The price of Hersey bar will probably go down now that the company won't have to employ overpaid white trash to manufacture their product. Same thing can apply to the US failing auto industry.
Sincerely concerned citizen
"overpaid white trash" is harsh.
we live in a tough global economy. I don't know if the chocolate will be better or worse. My guess is it will be the same quality. The lesson from this is let's get the gov't off our backs. If we want more manufacturing/food processing we need to cut down on taxes and regulations.
I agree, we could sell Hersheys our used frack water for a discount, and look at what the gov has done to that poor peanut processor that only killed 9 people and sickened hundreds with salmonella in the peanut butter. Caused them to file bankruptcy. Down with government regulations and interference.
If the Food And Drug Adim. was doing the job they are paid to do the peanut mess would not have happened. How many inspections have been done on this plant in the past 12 months? Were full inspections done or did they go out to "lunch" and chew the fat?!
Government keeps stuffing more regulations down the throats of manufacturers and it is NOT enforced and/or inspected on a regular basis.
Enforcement is needed not over-regulating! Once again Federal employees not doing their jobs!
"Get educated and get new jobs"...good point Craig but sometimes easier said than done.
If you are a 2 income family and most have to be to keep the bills paid, you DO NOT qualify for any state aide to go towards the cost of this higher education because your household total income it too high!
On the other hand if you have no conscience and life off the tax payers chances are you are not going to take advantage of the help that is available to you to get an education.
That is the way it is.
I do not feel I am entitled to anything that I do not WORK for or EARN but it seems to me that the ones that keep benefiting from all these state programs have never even TRIED to help themselves, at our expense to boot.
And I, as a hard working tax payer, am getting damn fed up!
"I mean how ignorant do you have to be to think that the water will not be treated before they make any chocolate."...
They promote tourism as well and do not treat the water the visitors drink!
Ya, I guess we are ignorant!
Mr. Jones,
I have to respectfully disagree with you. If the gov't wasn't over-regulating, maybe we wouldn't have that large peanut processor. It's easier for big companies to comply with all of the regulations. Small processors just get pushed out, because they cannot comply.
It stifles competition.
Why not let food processors regulate themselves and let the market be the ultimate regulator? Why would local restaurants, food distributors to our local restaurants, local grocery stores, or distributors to our local grocery store want to sell unsafe food?
What you brought up is a perfect example of the current system not working. The more power we give the feds, the more I think consumers and taxpayers will get the shaft at the end of the day. That company probably thought they were meeting the minimum requirements. The minimum federal standards are not what we deserve! Like an earlier poster stated, they passed their inspections.
'Buy Fresh, Buy Local' is a better answer.
Hershey is moving that plant because they think they can make more profit by moving it to Mexico.
Cheaper labor, cheaper sugar, I honestly doubt because of less food safety regulations.
You've been around longer than me, and know the good and bad that government can do, but I think government has gotten out of hand.
Let's create a climate in Pennsylvania where companies want to stay here and entrepreneurs want to start businesses here.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your view. I really appreciate you providing this forum although I'm not a fan of a lot of the arguments that our presented here. I tend to agree with your arguments more than disagreeing with them.
I think if it gets people thinking and it's a good thing. People need to let their elected officials know what they think about the size of government. If they would like less government in their lives they should clearly let Rep. Causer, Sen. Scarnati, Congressman Thompson, Sen. Casey, & Sen. Specter know.
Cordially,
Fan of Mr. Jones
When Walmart tells their suppliers to go overseas to manufacture their products, they do indeed hurt America companies. How stupid are you people that support Walmart?
I don't think Walmart tells their suppliers to go overseas to manufacture their products. They simply ask for the price they want. Whether you like it or not, and maybe we don't totally benefit from it in Coudersport, Roulette, Galeton, etc. in Potter County, Walmart increases the standard of living for many Americans. They can buy more for their dollars. What's wrong with that?
I don't "support" Walmart, so to speak.
They sell my family cheaper products. Do you think it makes more sense for me to shop elsewhere, and pay more for the same products?
If yes, tell me why. I do everything I can to shop locally in Potter County. For some items it makes a lot of sense. For some it doesn't and that's why I go to Wallmart.
Give me a break. Wallmart is a store. I'll shop there when it makes sense, and shop at other stores when I can get a better value.
The best thing is some of the biggest critics of Wallmart I know shop there from time to time.
You know why? Because the mega-store they hate provides them a good value.
To poster "Monday, February 23, 2009 7:31:00 PM EST"
I guess you are right it is easier said then done so instead of doing something hard lets take your approach of complaining and doing nothing your just as bad as the people you are criticizing for living off the system.
"but it seems to me that the ones that keep benefiting from all these state programs have never even TRIED to help themselves"
I don't even know how you make such a broad generalization like that but I would love to hear what evidence you have to back it up.
As far as the water situation for the Hershey's plant in Mexico goes clearly you have never been to Mexico before, but just like your blanket statement about people less fortunate living off the tax payers you are wrong again.
It is true in a lot of places you do not want to drink the water but there are many resorts that many Americans visit that of course you can drink the water. I am not saying you should go to stay at some 5 dollar a night hotel and drink the water you might have some stomach cramping or nausea after that.
Anyway my point is Hershey knows how to make their product and consistency is key to a great product. Clearly they aren't going to overlook some painfully obvious detail like treating the water before they make and sell their product so yes you are ignorant if you think otherwise.
Comparing Hershey to the hick run company in Georgia Peanut Corporation of America isn't fair either.
Hershey being a multi billion dollar company with 11k+ employees and Peanut Corporation of America being a company of about 90 employees the two are clearly in separate categories.
Craig
I have to agree with you Craig people these days really just want everything handed to them.
I must say its all wrong, but who is really to blame? All of us we sit back and continue to allow our country to be sold out by the people we put in office. Its time we wake up. Our voices need to be heard. None of these companies that move outside the US should be allowed to market there product without a import duty tarrif. Give an incentive to any corporation that has its headquarters and manufacturing in the US. Lets start taking care of America.
Letem have it Craig.
"I don't even know how you make such a broad generalization like that but I would love to hear what evidence you have to back it up."...
Years of viewing generation welfare, Craig, I do not need to name names because they are in every town of the commonwealth.
Craig, a question for you, how many years have you been a member of the work force and paid in taxes?
How many of your aquaintances have figured out the fed and state programs to make sure they qualify for them to put their kids through school instead of both parents working full time to pay their own way via a college education?
This is what my comment ment and if you missed it, sorry!
Once again let me state MY point, I do not expect anything to be handed to me, period!
And I have contacted my fed and state politicians when I feel they are screwing up as well as a job well done, have you?!
"Clearly they aren't going to overlook some painfully obvious detail like treating the water before they make and sell their product"...
Let us hope you are correct, because after all Craig, the bottom line is just that, cutting corners to make a profit! And unless you are in on the plant plans for the move to Mexico you do not know for sure any more than I do that they won't!
To the poster proposing the tariff on Hershey chocolate. How is it going to help American, if American bakers and consumers have to pay more for chocolate. Let's create a economic environment where companies don't want to leave (to begin w/ lower taxes and some regs. can surely be streamlined) and consumers benefit too. Less taxes imposed on businesses less taxes that will be passed on to their customers
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