The Hershey Company announced that it is committing $1 million to acquire, install, and staff a new manufacturing line dedicated to the production of facemasks. The new line, which will be capable of producing up to 45,000 masks per day, will become operational near the end of May.
 
“Supporting our communities in difficult times is part of our legacy, and an important value that our current employees share,” Michele Buck, president and CEO, said. “From the building projects that created local jobs during the Great Depression, to producing military rations during World War II, we take great pride in making a difference where we can.”
 
Using its own engineering capabilities, and its relationships with equipment manufacturers JR Automation and General Motors, who is making similar masks, the company is moving quickly to address the nationwide shortage of protective equipment.
 
“Disposable masks will be an integral piece of protecting the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community as we move forward over the weeks and months ahead,” Jason Reiman, chief supply chain officer, said. “Changing how we work, and adding this capability is a testament to the adaptability of our team, and our desire to make a difference.”
 
Converting operations to address this critical need is the latest step in the company’s ongoing efforts to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Hershey has donated millions in cash and products to benefit community safety net organizations while supporting employee safety and wellbeing, the company said.
 
Hersey has made various donations to a variety of partners including United Way Worldwide, Feeding America, and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, as well as numerous food banks across the U.S.
 
Globally, Hersey has joined other major chocolate companies who’ve collectively donated hundreds of millions of dollars to support international relief agencies in delivering COVID-19 education and protection in communities that grow cocoa.
 
Hershey has also delivered tens of thousands of pounds of its products to over 50 healthcare facilities in a dozen states to frontline health workers. Closer to home, the company is donating N95 masks, surgical gloves, and hand sanitizing stations to the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and is allowing healthcare workers to use its 22,000 square foot distribution center to help the flow of supplies from Penn State Health reach its network of providers.
 
The company has taken measures to bolster employee safety and economic security during the crisis, including protective measures, modified and flexible work schedules, work-from-home options, pay incentives, and enhanced assistance programs.