In Hershey, Pennsylvania, a 250,000-sq.-ft. The chocolate manufacturing facility is taking shape next to the iconic H.B. Reese Candy plant — marking The Hershey Company’s first U.S. production site built from the ground up in a generation. The plant will boost chocolate-making capacity, offer flexibility to meet rising demand, and strengthen Hershey’s ties to its hometown.
A critical part of the design? The floors. Chocolate production demands surfaces that can withstand heavy forklift traffic, thermal shocks from hot-water washdowns, and rigorous cleaning chemicals. To meet these needs, Pennsylvania-based Durex Coverings, in partnership with Sherwin-Williams High Performance Flooring, installed FasTop Multi-Topfloor SL45 urethane cement in production zones and a Resuflor Deco Quartz decorative quartz system in locker rooms and corridors.
This dual approach blends industrial-grade durability with visual appeal, delivering slip resistance, easy cleanability, and long-term resilience. The flooring’s slope-to-drain design aids sanitation, while an integral cove base in non-production areas prevents water and chemical buildup.
Why it matters: For Hershey, standardizing this advanced flooring system across future facilities means lower maintenance costs, consistent quality, and safer working conditions company-wide. For the chocolate maker, these coatings aren’t just finishes — they’re strategic infrastructure that will support decades of production and growth.
With the bulk of installation completed in late 2024, the plant is set to handle thousands of pounds of ingredients daily while safeguarding employees and ensuring hygiene. Additional decorative metallic flooring is planned for office spaces in the upcoming phases.