Reporter Travels to Mexico to Try to Find Where the Hershey Jobs Went

[JPZenger]

Over the past few years, the Hershey Company has closed several factories, including in northern California, Reading PA and Smith Falls, Ontario and reduced employment in Hershey PA. The company shifted much of that production to Mexico. A reporter from the Ottawa newspaper went to Mexico to try to find where those jobs went. His journey became a little absurdist, kind of like Roger and Me.

(Meanwhile, Mars is starting a campaign that their candy is "Made in USA").

http://www.miltonhersheyforums.org/forums/showthread.php?t=864

Excerpts:

"I’m on the phone with Kirk Saville, senior director, corporate communications, at Hershey headquarters in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Saville, and only Saville, speaks officially for the company.

I ask him how much production there is at the new plant in Monterrey.
“I can’t answer that.”
I ask him how many employees are at the plant.
“I can’t answer that.”
I ask him to compare the wages of the Smiths Falls and Monterrey workers.
“I can’t answer that.”
I ask him how profitable the Smiths Falls plant was.
“I can’t answer that.”
I ask him where in Monterrey the plant is located.
“I don’t have that information.”
I ask if he has a phone number for the plant.
“No.”
“Mr. Saville,” I say, “is it because you don’t know the information, or it’s company policy not to give it?”
“Policy,” he says.

Our conversation ends. A good thing, I’m thinking, I didn’t tell him of my assignment to fly to Mexico to do a piece on the plant.
---
After he finally finds the plant near Monterrey Mexico, he tries to interview a manager there.

"The senorita returns. “I am sorry. Mr. Hernandez cannot see you. You must go now. There is man you have to call. Here is his name and phone number.” ... Vice-president of corporate communications, Kirk Saville.
===
“Have you noticed what’s always on the front pages of the newspapers here?” asks Gable.”
“No, what?”
“A picture of a murdered person.”