What do Reese’s Pieces, Oh Henry! bars, Planters nuts, Life Savers, Hershey Almond bars, Pot of Gold, and Y&S Licorice have in common? They are all part of the family of confectionery foods produced by Hershey Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hershey Foods Corporation of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Since its main chocolate manufacturing plant was opened in Smiths Falls, Ontario, in 1962, Hershey has emerged as a key player in Canada’s Food Industry. Based on high quality products, a mass distribution system and attention to consumer needs and values as well as several acquisitions, Hershey Canada has grown into a major business.

Hershey’s choice of Smiths Falls for the first plant outside the U.S.A. was based on their need for an area with a plentiful supply of water, an abundant supply of fresh milk, and a central location near urban areas. The small, but vibrant and well-kept town, like the company’s corporate home in Hershey, Pennsylvania, was another significant attraction.

Hershey’s requirements effectively merged with Smiths Falls’ traditions. The bountiful waters of the Rideau watershed, through which the historic Rideau Canal was completed in 1832, gave the company consistent supply. The Canadian Pacific Railway, which had provided a key focus in the town’s development, offered divisional facilities almost half way between the growing cities of Montreal and Toronto. Smiths Falls was also at the centre of eastern Ontario’s significant dairy industry, providing a splendid supply of fresh whole milk, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of milk chocolate. The residents of Smiths Falls provided the key ingredient of success — a dedicated and productive work force.

Smiths Falls and Hershey learned a lot from each other. In its first manufacturing enterprise beyond the United States, the company grew sensitive to Canadian taste buds. In 1983 a lighter, milkier chocolate bar was produced in Canada to meet Canadian consumer tastes. It was a remarkable success in both the recognition of taste preferences in market testing and quality control, areas in which Hershey excels.

The corporate philosophy at Hershey is quality, people, products and results with an overriding commitment to maintain the Corporation’s high level of ethics and conduct. Hershey Canada Inc. has made many other contributions to the local Smiths Falls area. It sustains the Hershey International Hockey Tournament, the Rideau Lakes Figure Skating Club and is promoting the Hershey track and field meets. Hershey has strongly supported the Rideau Canal Museum located in Smiths Falls. A self-guided tour of the Hershey plant is one of the region’s significant tourist attractions hosting over 130,000 visitors each year.

The facility at Smiths Falls has expanded tre-mendously since 1962, and the acquisition of manufacturing facilities in Hamilton, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, have permitted Hershey to become a leader in Canada’s confectionery industry.