Hershey Foods Corp., which is mulling a corporate name change, has formed two new business groups to bolster its position in the confectionery and snacks markets.
![]() |
Thomas Hernquist |
The creation of the two new groups—a confectionery business group and a U.S. snacks business group—is part of a broader “value-enhancing” strategy the company began in 2001.
Thomas K. Hernquist, the company’s senior VP-CMO, has been named senior VP-president U.S. Confectionery. A search is underway for a president of the U.S. snacks business group.
In his new role, Hernquist, will lead Hershey’s domestic chocolate and confectionery businesses and will continue to have responsibility for Hershey’s special retail outlets, including Hershey’s Chocolate World visitors center, Hershey’s Time Square store and the new Hershey’s Chicago store, set to open this spring.
The company is mulling changing its name to The Hershey Co.
“The new name conveys our long-term focus on Hershey being a leading confectionery and snack company,” said Richard H. Lenny, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement. “We’re retaining our iconic name and enduring heritage as the key component of our corporate identity.”