February 15 -- NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Hershey Foods Corp. Thursday detailed a three-year plan to change its supply chain operations, saying it expects a total net reduction of about 1,500 jobs. The Hershey, Pa., candy company expects to record pre-tax charges and non-recurring project implementation costs of between $525 million and $575 million from the program over the next three years, primarily in 2007 and 2008. The plan calls for a reduction in the number of production lines in use by more than one-third, the outsourcing of low value-added items and the construction of a production facility in Monterrey, Mexico. When the plan is completed, Hershey said about 80% of its production volume will take place in the U.S. and Canada. The company also reaffirmed its long-term goals for sales growth of 3% to 4% and growth in diluted earnings per share from operations of 9% to 11%. For 2007, however, it said it sees growth in diluted earnings per share from operations of 7% to 9%. The stock closed Wednesday at $51.30, up 47 cents.
