Hershey appoints Steven Schiller regional president

THE Hershey Company has appointed Steven Schiller regional president for Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa (AEMEA).

His appointment, effective at the start of this year, will see him leading out of the company's regional headquarters in Singapore.

Mr Schiller was most recently senior vice-president for Hershey's sweets & refreshment strategic business unit, where he led all of the company's global candy, mint and gum businesses. Previously he was vice-president for marketing at Hershey International.

Before he joined Hershey's, Mr Schiller was senior vice-president, chief marketing officer, for the Steak 'n Shake Corporation.

Said Hershey International's president, Humberto P Alfonso: "Steven's appointment will help accelerate our international growth ... he is no stranger to the region having lived in various parts of AEMEA for more than eight years and strategically supported its growth for another five years."

Hershey's goal in AEMEA is to achieve US$10 billion in sales by 2017, with a focus on the Chinese, Mexican and Brazilian markets.

Said Mr Schiller: "We have an experienced management team, great talent throughout the organisation and the right vision, strategy and brands to win where we compete."

Hershey has been investing in its Asia business for the past 19 years. In May 2013, it opened an Asia Innovation Centre in Shanghai, creating a research and development hub to develop and launch new products customised for the Asia region.

In December 2013, it began construction of a US$250 million manufacturing plant in Johor, Malaysia. The plant is expected to start operations in late-2015, and represents its largest investment to date in Asia.

In September 2014, Hershey completed an 80 per cent acquisition stake in the Shanghai Golden Monkey company, a privately held confectionary company in Shanghai, China.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Hershey's has more than 80 brands in its portfolio, including Hershey's, Reese's and Ice Breakers. These brands drive over US$7.1 billion in annual revenues.