Published Tuesday, September 14, 1999

Computer Snags Threaten Hershey

Associated Press

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) -- Hershey Food Corp. says computer problems are making it miss filling some candy orders, threatening Halloween deliveries, one of the company' s busiest times of the year.

Kenneth L. Wolfe, chairman and chief executive, said Monday that deliveries would be not be back on schedule until mid-October, the height of the Halloween candy sales season.

" While order patterns have remained strong, we have been unable to fill them completely, in a timely fashion, " Wolfe said in a statement.

John M. McMillin, who follows the food industry for Prudential Securities Inc., said having such problems fall during a busy season is especially damaging.

" For a candy company to miss part of Halloween is not as bad as a toy company missing part of Christmas, but it' s close, " McMillin said.

The company said its earnings would be below the expected level for the third quarter that ends Oct. 4 and the entire fiscal year because of the delivery system problems that were caused by a computer system failure.

The chocolate maker said earnings for the fiscal year that ends Jan. 4, 2000, could be 8 percent to 10 percent below previous projections of $2.40 per share. The firm declined to project earnings for the third quarter.

Copyright 1999 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

) Copyright 1999. All rights reserved.

http://www2.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=80921100

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), September 14, 1999

Answers

Waaahhhh!!!! When these damn computer glitches hit chocolate, you know we're in for a stormy ride.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWayne@aol.com), September 14, 1999.

Jo Anne effect strikes again.

-- (so@many.problems), September 14, 1999.

Oh no! Don't threaten my chocolate supply!

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), September 14, 1999.

I'll worry when I hear reports like this from brewers.

-- Mr. Mike (mikeabn@aol.com), September 14, 1999.

I'm just glad my dealer/grower isn't date compliant-dependant

-- Hey Scoobie- (pass@me the.doobie), September 14, 1999.

I wonder if I could get in trouble for "hoarding" chocolate? Can't you see the headlines, "Hershey Chocolate Shortage! Customers fighting over last bags!" OK, maybe it's a woman thing! :-) I think I need to make a quick run to Wal-mart....

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), September 14, 1999.

No kissess for new years??????

-- Moore Dinty moore (not@thistime.com), September 14, 1999.

Humm.

Get those barter items now!

Got some jugs of the Hershey's syrup for the Y2K stash... ya never know... could be tasty with pine needles and oak leaves... if push comes to shove.

;-D

Thinking about that long-ago post from Sarajaevo (-1 sp) where they had cans of gravy that helped cover up the taste of "strange" growing things.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 14, 1999.

Aaacccckkkk! Shortages of an ESSENTIAL early. Have tested just about every known type of chocolate, and have settled on Nestle Crunch bars for a good melt. Next would be Cloud Nine and Chocolate Lovers malted cocoa crunch bars. Obviously another shopping trip is in order. And no, don't plan to even barter these items ;^) GGGrrrrrrrrr.

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), September 14, 1999.

Just checked my "stash" and learned that Reese's Pieces are made by Hershey Corporation! Oh...My...GAWD!!

-- RUOK (RUOK@yesiam.com), September 14, 1999.

When we loaded up my mom's pantry in St Paul last summer, we included about 10 lbs of vacuum-packed semi-sweet chocolate. She couldn't figure out what that had to do with Y2k. She'll be able to figure it out when the time comes, I guess.

Try this, when feeling adventurous: Melt a 2-oz chunk of semi-sweet chocolate in about 2 cups of hot rice, serve as dessert. Surprisingly good.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), September 14, 1999.

Rice pudding, yum! If short of chocolate go for a touch of butter, honey or syrup, and either vanilla or almond extract.

-- Shelia (Shelia@active-stream.com), September 14, 1999.

Will remember those suggestions, thanks.

Time to walk downtown and have a Moca latte, in sympathy.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 14, 1999.

I've squirreled away 'Tasetations'; they're individually wrapped and last well in humid conditions. They taste like See's candy suckers, for those of you lucky enough to know those flavors. Mmmm...

-- flora (***@__._), September 14, 1999.

Someone needs to invent a chocolate patch for all those Chocaholics out there.

-- Debi (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), September 15, 1999.

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch- msg.tcl?msg_id=001PM8

-- (just@helping.out), September 15, 1999.