Hershey Launches Innovative Technology Contest to Solve Summertime Shipping Dilemma
Source: Business Wire
Hershey seeks lightweight, affordable cool shipping ideas through online contestWinners will collaborate with Hershey on development of prototypesSubmissions being accepted online now through February 15, 2016 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
While most people love chocolate, they may not be aware of the shipping challenges it poses during the summer months or in warmer climates. To solve this unique challenge, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is seeking ideas for the development of a lightweight, affordable cool shipping system that will keep chocolate close to the temperature at which it was packed for at least 48 hours.
The open innovation contest is being held through NineSigma, an open innovation company that connects companies with experts to solve technology problems. Hershey’s cool ship contest is designed to identify new systems or materials that will allow chocolate to be shipped in warm weather without the need for gel packs. The ultimate goal is to develop a system that would be inexpensive enough to use year round as part of the standard packaging for consumers’ chocolate shipments.
“With the rise of e-commerce, we understand it is critical to have affordable cool shipping technologies in place to continue providing consumers with quality experiences all year long,” said Eric Zampedri, Manager, Packaging Innovation R&D at The Hershey Company. “We decided a great way to solve this challenge was to take it to the same people who love chocolate through a crowdsourcing competition that will help us discover innovative technology ideas.”
Participants in this competition are vying for $25,000 in development funds and the opportunity to further collaborate with Hershey to develop proposed solutions. Participants must complete and submit the online submission form by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 15, 2016. The completed online submission form will serve as an introduction to the respondent’s technology and expertise while including evidence to support the approach’s technical feasibility.
To learn more about the contest, terms and conditions, and how to submit an idea, visit Hershey Cool Ship Contest.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 22,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's,Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers andBrookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America.
At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through 'Nourishing Minds,' a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.
To learn more -
Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com
Follow:
http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-...p_nav_home
http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany
http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany
http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany
About NineSigma
NineSigma connects organizations with external innovation resources to accelerate innovation in private, public and social sectors. NineSigma has the largest open global network of solution providers and an extensive database of existing solutions spanning numerous industries and technical disciplines. In 2015, the company was again named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. Learn more at www.ninesigma.com or www.ninesights.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160114005151/en/
The Hershey Company
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brandy Woolford, 717-508-1877
bwoolford@hersheys.com
Source: Business Wire
Hershey seeks lightweight, affordable cool shipping ideas through online contestWinners will collaborate with Hershey on development of prototypesSubmissions being accepted online now through February 15, 2016 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
While most people love chocolate, they may not be aware of the shipping challenges it poses during the summer months or in warmer climates. To solve this unique challenge, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is seeking ideas for the development of a lightweight, affordable cool shipping system that will keep chocolate close to the temperature at which it was packed for at least 48 hours.
The open innovation contest is being held through NineSigma, an open innovation company that connects companies with experts to solve technology problems. Hershey’s cool ship contest is designed to identify new systems or materials that will allow chocolate to be shipped in warm weather without the need for gel packs. The ultimate goal is to develop a system that would be inexpensive enough to use year round as part of the standard packaging for consumers’ chocolate shipments.
“With the rise of e-commerce, we understand it is critical to have affordable cool shipping technologies in place to continue providing consumers with quality experiences all year long,” said Eric Zampedri, Manager, Packaging Innovation R&D at The Hershey Company. “We decided a great way to solve this challenge was to take it to the same people who love chocolate through a crowdsourcing competition that will help us discover innovative technology ideas.”
Participants in this competition are vying for $25,000 in development funds and the opportunity to further collaborate with Hershey to develop proposed solutions. Participants must complete and submit the online submission form by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 15, 2016. The completed online submission form will serve as an introduction to the respondent’s technology and expertise while including evidence to support the approach’s technical feasibility.
To learn more about the contest, terms and conditions, and how to submit an idea, visit Hershey Cool Ship Contest.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 22,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's,Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers andBrookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America.
At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through 'Nourishing Minds,' a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.
To learn more -
Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com
Follow:
http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-...p_nav_home
http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany
http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany
http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany
About NineSigma
NineSigma connects organizations with external innovation resources to accelerate innovation in private, public and social sectors. NineSigma has the largest open global network of solution providers and an extensive database of existing solutions spanning numerous industries and technical disciplines. In 2015, the company was again named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. Learn more at www.ninesigma.com or www.ninesights.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160114005151/en/
The Hershey Company
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brandy Woolford, 717-508-1877
bwoolford@hersheys.com
