From the western coasts of California to the eastern beaches of New Jersey, it is easy to see why The Hershey Company is America's favorite candy company. It seems today that the simple, brown packaged chocolate bar embroidered with the famous Hershey logo has become an American Icon as recognizable as the great bald eagle. The company has always been uniquely American, from its humble, hardworking roots to its successful launch into global market. All the success is credited to one man, who showed perseverance and inspiring resolve despite being presented with failure during the bleakest of times.
It is said that it all started with an idea. Milton Hershey, born September 13, 1857, had an insight to cover his caramel with a sweet chocolate coating. However, the truth is that it all, in fact, started with a critical loss. Hershey Milton had founded a candy shop in Pennsylvania, which to his despair failed to bring prosperity. It seemed as if Milton's passion in life had come to an end. Hershey tried his luck in the great state of New York but again was greeted with disappointment. Nevertheless, Milton Hershey had a fundamental characteristic which saved him despite his losses. Milton Hershey knew having a strong resolution was key in being triumphant.
Hershey continued with his dreams and founded the Lancaster Caramel Company in Pennsylvania, where he infused fresh milk into his golden caramel to create the most palatable treat. This business flourished and eventually fetched him an incredible one million dollars, enough money to expand and explore as Milton Hershey pleased. At this point in his life, Hershey returned to his humble roots in Derry Church Pennsylvania which would later be renamed after the great entrepreneur himself. In Derry Church Hershey decided to move beyond the popular caramel candies and visualized a new dream. His goal was to commercialize chocolate, once a luxury item available only to the rich and wealthy. Hershey erected a chocolate manufacturing plant which proved more successful than he could have ever hoped.
Where others would see success and perfection, Hershey would only see opportunity and room for further improvement. Regardless of his success in manufacturing sweet chocolate, Hershey knew he had a destiny in making milk chocolate. Hershey built a milk-processing plant in hopes of creating the perfect recipe for milk chocolate. Many believe he succeeded with his discovery of the Hershey Process. The process is still a company secret, but it is presumed that Hershey used butyric acid to stop the fermentation of milk and created a uniquely tangy chocolate, that grew to be loved by the American public.
Hershey's company continued to grow at an outstanding rate. With the invention of the Hershey "Kiss" and the companies' role in the Second World War, the Hershey Company had carved its place in the history of the American economy. Milton Hershey was a husband, a philanthropist and one of America's most iconic entrepreneurs. He paved the road for future candy industries and showed the world what quality before profit truly meant. His unparalleled dedication to charity and his creation of the Milton Hershey School Trust Fund showed that he was one of a kind. A true inspiration and a gentle soul. Milton Hershey died at age eighty-eight on October 13, 1945 in Hershey Hospital.
Joel Bernstein
BS Management Science Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
MBA Rutgers University.
Joel Bernstein writes about candy and confectionery products. Candy is great to write about because it is a happy topic that people enjoy. Enjoy this article about Milton Hershey. Candy manufacturers, end consumers and Wholesale Candy store owners should find it interesting.