Hershey Adds Zero-Emission Vehicles to its Corporate Fleet

HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 18, 2012 /3BL Media/ - The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced the addition of four new zero-emission Nissan Leaf cars to its corporate fleet, extending Hershey’s commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Hershey also installed seven state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging stations at four Hershey, Pa., locations, including upgrading two charging stations already available at Hershey’s® Chocolate World® Attraction.  

“Adding these innovative vehicles to our fleet reinforces Hershey’s commitment to finding new and innovative ways to minimize our environmental impact while making our sustainability efforts tangible for our employees,” said Terry O’Day, Senior Vice President, Global Operations. “Every one of our employees will feel good knowing that when they drive these zero-emission cars they are actively reducing Hershey’s carbon footprint and helping Hershey achieve its 2015 environmental goals.”

The new electric vehicles are available to any Hershey employee for business use in the Hershey, Pa. area. The no-emissions, brightly colored cars, featuring logos of Hershey’s most iconic brands, offer a low-environmental-impact option for travel between Hershey’s many facilities in the area.      

This project is the latest in a number of energy efficiency and reduction projects that have resulted in Hershey reducing its CO2 emissions by 1,317 tonnes last year, equal to the annual emissions of nearly 260 cars. In 2011, Hershey unveiled an alternative energy project at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction that included the installation of two solar panel arrays, comprised of more than 1,200 solar panels, and two electric vehicle charging stations—the first to be publicly available in central Pennsylvania. Hershey was recognized with the Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future Green Power Award, and as a result of this project and Hershey’s other major environmental initiatives, the company realized bottom-line sustainability savings of $21.3 million in 2011.

For more information on Hershey's 2011 environmental achievements and 2015 sustainability goals, please see: http://www.thehersheycompany.com/social-responsibility/csr-report.aspx

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and approximately 14,000 employees. With revenues of more than $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 80 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. 

Hershey also offers premium and artisan chocolate products under such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary.  The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China and Mexico while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.

For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business.

Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company’s global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities.

Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.