HERSHEY, PA. — The Hershey Co. opened its Reese’s chocolate processing facility, the company’s first fully integrated digital manufacturing plant, as well as its first new manufacturing facility built at its headquarters in more than three decades.

Michele Buck, chair, president and chief executive officer of Hershey, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro joined other Hershey leaders and state officials in a formal opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site on Hershey’s campus April 16.

Located on a 55-acre site between the Hershey Technical Center and the current Reese’s plant at 1000 Reese Ave., the new 250,000-square-foot chocolate processing facility will produce the chocolate used in various Hershey brands, including Reese’s, KitKat, Symphony, Special Dark and Hershey’s. Hershey had announced plans for the new facility, to operate as an extension of the Reese’s plant, in November 2022.

“Our ability to make and deliver products both quickly and efficiently is a key component of our growth strategy,” said Will Bonifant, vice president of supply chain strategy and manufacturing at Hershey. “We’ve made significant investments to speed production, increase capacity and develop our workforce for the future to make more of the iconic brands consumers love.”

The new Reese’s chocolate facility will add 120 jobs to the more than 6,000 that Hershey already supports in Pennsylvania, according to the governor’s office and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

“Hershey is an iconic Pennsylvania company, and they chose to expand their footprint right here at home — in the sweetest place on Earth,” Shapiro said. “By working together, we are building a business-friendly climate that makes it easier for Pennsylvania-made brands and business to expand, grow and thrive in our Commonwealth. Hershey’s continued investment in central Pennsylvania shows the world that the commonwealth is open for business and ready to lead.”

Hershey originally had projected the new Reese’s facility to go into operation in early 2024. At the time, the company also noted other projects, including the opening of its first digitally-enabled fulfillment center in nearby Annville, Pa., and a line expansion at the West Hershey plant to meet seasonal demand for snack-size packages.

According to Hershey, those projects are part of a $1 billion investment plan that calls for the addition of 13 new production lines and upgrades to 11 current lines across its North American facilities to meet increased consumer demand.