Hershey to invest $135m to expand manufacturing facility in Virginia

US-based snacks manufacturer Hershey is planning to invest $135m to expand its manufacturing operations in Augusta County, Virginia.

The investment will see the addition of 90,000ft² at the existing facility in Stuarts Draft and is expected to create 110 new jobs in the region.

The announcement was made by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.

Northam said: “As we work to accelerate Virginia’s economic recovery, existing corporate partners like The Hershey Company are leading the way with new hiring and investment.

“This major expansion is the company’s second in just over a year and is a strong testament to the Shenandoah Valley’s ability to attract and retain high-calibre manufacturers.

“We thank Hershey for its continued confidence in Virginia and its people, and look forward to the company’s next chapter of growth in our Commonwealth.”

Hershey Chocolate of Virginia has been operational in Augusta County for more than three decades, and the Virginia facility is the company’s second-largest plant in the US.

In May 2019, Governor Northam announced a $104m investment to expand production capacity.

Hershey chief supply chain officer Jason Reiman said: “The Shenandoah Valley has been an excellent place for Hershey to do business and be a part of the community for 38 years now.

“We are proud to continue to invest and grow in an area that gives our employees a great place to live and work. Increasingly, Augusta County and Virginia are critical to our company’s growth and ability to deliver iconic and beloved products to consumers around the world.”

Last September, The Hershey Company has completed the acquisition of nutrition bars manufacturer One Brands for $397m.

The deal complemented Hershey’s existing Oatmega business, which is part of the Amplify Snack Brands acquired last year, as well as its recent investment in Fulfil Holdings, a European manufacturer of vitamin-fortified, high-protein bars.