Dive Brief:
- Richard A. Zimmerman, the retired chief executive officer of Hershey Co., has died at the age of 82.
- Zimmerman was at the helm of Hershey for some of its most important challenges -- including the company's first forays into Mexico and Asia. Sales at Hershey doubled during his tenure to more than $3.2 billion.
- Zimmerman's core business strategy was to return Hershey to its core. During his time as CEO he sold off the Friendly's restaurant chain and a foodservice business.
Dive Insight:
In the late 1950s when Zimmerman first joined Hershey, the company was run by local men with long-standing ties to the company. Zimmerman and others like him were part of the first wave of college-educated professionals tasked with modernizing the company. Zimmerman's first job after college and the Navy had been as a bank director.
Whether Zimmerman picked up his skills at the bank, in the military, or from the old-timers at Hershey is unknown. What is known is that Hershey returned to its spot as the largest candy company in America on his watch.
