Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of The Hershey Company (HSY)

Ever wonder what drives a company that brought in $11.20 billion in revenue for 2024? What are the guiding principles behind the iconic chocolate bars and sweet treats that have delighted generations? Let's explore the mission, vision, and core values that shape decisions and strategies.

What exactly does this confectionery giant, with roots stretching back to 1894, aim to achieve, and what future does it envision for itself in the global market? How do values like integrity, excellence, diversity, and community play a role in its operations? Read on to discover the foundational elements that define this innovative snacking powerhouse.

The Hershey Company (HSY) An Overview of

The Hershey Company, often called Hershey, has a long history dating back to 1894 when Milton Hershey founded the Hershey Chocolate Company. Known for its chocolate, the company also produces sweets, mints, and other grocery products. As of April 2025, Hershey's products are sold worldwide. The business is based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Hershey's portfolio includes well-known brands such as:

• Hershey’s Kisses
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Kit Kat (in the United States)
• Jolly Rancher
• Twizzlers

In the fiscal year 2024, The Hershey Company demonstrated strong financial performance. The company reported net sales of over $11.167 billion. This was supported by significant growth in key brands and strategic acquisitions that expanded their market presence.

Hershey’s financial highlights for 2024 include:

• Net sales of $11.167 billion, reflecting a 2.4% increase.
• Organic, constant currency net sales increased 2.3%.
• Reported earnings per share (EPS) diluted of $8.04, a decrease of 11.8%.
• Adjusted EPS diluted of $9.59, a decrease of 0.6%.

The company's success can be attributed to several factors, including its iconic brand portfolio, effective marketing strategies, and a strong distribution network. Hershey has also focused on innovation, introducing new products and adapting to changing consumer preferences. The corporation has made strategic acquisitions to grow its portfolio and reach new markets, in addition to organic growth.

Hershey's is a leader in the confectionery industry because of its dedication to quality, innovation, and strategic expansion. Learn more about the company's financial stability and performance: Breaking Down The Hershey Company (HSY) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

The Hershey Company (HSY) Mission Statement

The mission statement of The Hershey Company is 'to bring goodness to the world through delicious snacks, and create a future full of more smiles.' This statement reflects the company's dedication to not only producing enjoyable treats but also making a positive impact on society. The mission encompasses several key elements: product quality, consumer satisfaction, and social responsibility.

Hershey's mission statement is composed of three core components:

• Delivering delicious snacks
• Bringing goodness to the world
• Creating a future full of more smiles

Each of these components plays a crucial role in defining the company's purpose and guiding its strategic initiatives. Let's explore each one in detail.

Delivering Delicious Snacks

At the heart of Hershey's mission is the commitment to providing high-quality, delicious snacks. This involves a relentless focus on product excellence, innovation, and consumer satisfaction. Hershey strives to create treats that not only taste great but also meet the evolving preferences and needs of its diverse customer base.

Examples of how Hershey fulfills this component:

• Product Innovation: Hershey continuously invests in research and development to create new and exciting products. For instance, in 2024, Hershey introduced several new products, including innovative flavor combinations and healthier snack options, to cater to changing consumer tastes.
• Quality Assurance: Hershey maintains rigorous quality control standards to ensure that every product meets the highest levels of safety and taste. This includes sourcing the finest ingredients and implementing advanced manufacturing processes.
• Consumer Engagement: Hershey actively seeks feedback from consumers to understand their preferences and improve its products. This is done through surveys, social media engagement, and customer service interactions.

In 2024, Hershey's net sales were approximately $11.16 billion, reflecting the company's success in delivering delicious snacks that resonate with consumers. Breaking Down The Hershey Company (HSY) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Bringing Goodness to the World

Beyond just making tasty treats, Hershey is committed to making a positive impact on the world. This involves initiatives related to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community engagement. Hershey believes that businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of society and the environment.

Examples of how Hershey fulfills this component:

• Sustainability Initiatives: Hershey is dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint through various sustainability initiatives. In 2024, Hershey announced a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
• Ethical Sourcing: Hershey is committed to sourcing its ingredients ethically, ensuring fair labor practices and environmental responsibility throughout its supply chain. Hershey aims to source 100% certified and sustainable cocoa by 2025.
• Community Engagement: Hershey actively supports communities through philanthropic efforts and volunteer programs. The company focuses on initiatives that promote education, health, and economic development.

In 2024, Hershey invested over $15 million in various social responsibility programs, demonstrating its commitment to bringing goodness to the world.

Creating a Future Full of More Smiles

The final component of Hershey's mission is about creating a positive and joyful future for all. This involves not only providing moments of happiness through its products but also investing in initiatives that promote well-being and opportunity. Hershey aims to be a company that people can trust and rely on to make a positive difference.

Examples of how Hershey fulfills this component:

• Promoting Well-being: Hershey supports initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being. This includes partnerships with health organizations and educational programs that encourage healthy lifestyles.
• Investing in Education: Hershey is committed to supporting education and providing opportunities for young people. The company offers scholarships, internships, and mentorship programs to help students achieve their full potential.
• Fostering Inclusion: Hershey strives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. The company believes that diversity drives innovation and strengthens its ability to serve its customers and communities.

In 2024, Hershey launched a new initiative to provide educational resources to underserved communities, with a commitment of $10 million over the next five years.

The Hershey Company (HSY) Vision Statement of

The vision of The Hershey Company is to be an innovative snacking powerhouse. This vision directs the company’s strategies and aspirations, setting the stage for its future growth and impact in the global market. As of April 2025, this vision remains the guiding star for all its endeavors.

Innovative Snacking Powerhouse

Hershey's vision of becoming an 'innovative snacking powerhouse' encompasses several key elements:

• Innovation: This involves developing new products, improving existing ones, and adopting cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing and distribution.
• Snacking: Hershey aims to dominate the snacking market, which includes chocolates, sweets, mints, gums, and salty snacks.
• Powerhouse: This indicates a position of strength and leadership in the industry, driven by market share, brand recognition, and financial performance.

To support this vision, Hershey has undertaken several strategic initiatives. For example, in the fiscal year 2024, The Hershey Company reported net sales of $11.167 billion, reflecting its strong market presence. The Hershey Company (HSY): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money. The company's focus on innovation is evident in its continuous introduction of new products and flavors, such as the Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate Filled With Caramel, which capitalize on consumer preferences and trends.

Furthermore, Hershey's commitment to expanding its snacking portfolio is demonstrated through strategic acquisitions. For instance, the acquisition of Dot’s Pretzels in 2021 for $1.2 billion and Pretzels Inc. in 2022 for approximately $850 million significantly broadened its presence in the salty snacks category. These moves align with the company's goal of becoming a comprehensive snacking powerhouse, leveraging its distribution network and brand equity to drive growth across different segments.

Hershey’s financial performance underscores its powerhouse status. In 2024, the company’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) stood at $9.59, showcasing its profitability and operational efficiency. Additionally, Hershey’s investments in marketing and advertising, which totaled $773.8 million in 2024, play a crucial role in maintaining brand relevance and driving sales. These figures highlight Hershey's robust financial health and its ability to invest in future growth opportunities.

The company's vision also extends to sustainability and responsible sourcing. Hershey is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including initiatives to support cocoa-growing communities and reduce its environmental footprint. These efforts not only enhance its corporate reputation but also resonate with increasingly conscious consumers.

The Hershey Company (HSY) Core Values of

The corporate culture of The Hershey Company is defined by its deeply held values and ethical standards, which shape the behavior of the business and its staff. These guiding principles support the company's objective of providing high-quality products, encouraging a diverse and inclusive workplace, and having a beneficial influence on the communities it serves. The company's dedication to these principles guarantees long-term sustainability and strengthens its standing as a market leader.

Integrity

Integrity is a core value at The Hershey Company. This means that the company is committed to doing business ethically and honestly. Integrity is essential for building trust with customers, employees, and other stakeholders. The Hershey Company demonstrates its commitment to integrity through its:

• Code of Conduct: The Hershey Company has a comprehensive code of conduct that outlines the company's expectations for ethical behavior. The code applies to all employees, officers, and directors of the company.
• Compliance Programs: The Hershey Company has a number of compliance programs in place to ensure that the company is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including anti-corruption, antitrust, and environmental compliance.
• Ethics Reporting Hotline: The Hershey Company has an ethics reporting hotline that employees can use to report suspected violations of the code of conduct or other unethical behavior. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is staffed by trained professionals.

Inclusion

The Hershey Company is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and has the chance to succeed. The business thinks that a diverse workforce fosters creativity, innovation, and better decision-making. The Hershey Company demonstrates its commitment to inclusion through its:

• Diversity and Inclusion Programs: To encourage diversity and inclusion, The Hershey Company offers a range of initiatives. These initiatives include employee resource groups, mentoring programs, and diversity training.
• Equal Opportunity Employment: The Hershey Company is an equal opportunity employer. The company does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
• Supplier Diversity Program: The Hershey Company has a supplier diversity program that is designed to increase the company's purchases from diverse suppliers. Diverse suppliers are businesses that are owned and operated by individuals from underrepresented groups.

Excellence

The Hershey Company is committed to excellence in all that it does. This means that the company is constantly striving to improve its products, services, and operations. Excellence is essential for maintaining a competitive advantage and delivering value to customers and shareholders. The Hershey Company demonstrates its commitment to excellence through its:

• Innovation: The Hershey Company invests heavily in research and development to create new and innovative products. In 2023, the company's research and development expense was $97.4 million, representing approximately 1.6% of net sales.
• Quality Control: The Hershey Company has a rigorous quality control program in place to ensure that its products meet the highest standards. The company's quality control program covers all aspects of the production process, from raw materials to finished goods.
• Continuous Improvement: The Hershey Company is committed to continuous improvement in all of its operations. The company uses a variety of tools and techniques to identify and implement improvements.

Change

The Hershey Company is aware of the need to adapt to shifting consumer tastes and market dynamics in today's dynamic business environment. The business embraces change and actively looks for fresh prospects to spur innovation and maintain its competitive edge. The Hershey Company demonstrates its commitment to change through its:

• New Product Development: The Hershey Company is constantly developing new products to meet the changing needs of consumers. In 2024, the company launched a number of new products, including %Zero Sugar Milk Chocolate Bars and %Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolate Filled with Caramel.
• Digital Transformation: The Hershey Company is investing in digital technologies to improve its operations and customer experience. The company's digital transformation initiatives include the development of a new e-commerce platform and the implementation of new marketing technologies.
• Sustainability Initiatives: The Hershey Company is committed to sustainability. In 2023, the company announced a new set of sustainability goals, including reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

To learn more about The Hershey Company's financial health, visit: Breaking Down The Hershey Company (HSY) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors