The Hershey Company and Barry Callebaut, the world's largest manufacturer of high-quality cocoa, industrial chocolate and confectionery products, will partner on a wide range of research and development activities with a focus on driving innovation in new chocolate "taste experiences, premium chocolate, health and wellness, ingredient research and optimization."
Barry Callebaut will construct and operate a facility to provide chocolate for Hershey's new plant in Monterrey, Mexico. Barry Callebaut will also lease a portion of Hershey's Robinson, Ill., plant and operate chocolate-making equipment at the facility. The partnership includes a long-term global agreement under which Barry Callebaut will supply Hershey with a minimum of 80,000 tons per year of chocolate and chocolate products.
The agreement will significantly increase Barry Callebaut's production capacity in the Americas. Over the next three years, production capacities will increase by 130,000 tons per year, with a significant portion of this production dedicated to supplying Hershey. The total investment by Barry Callebaut will amount to $50 million.
Source: Hershey's, http://www.thehersheycompany.com