UTM and Hershey’s are in talks for strategic collaboration to provide yet another win-win relationship, with Hershey’s securing quality human capital, and UTM capitalizing on its training and research expertise.
Hershey’s delegates comprising Mr Richard Comacho (Vice Presiden,t Supply Chain Solution – Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa), Mr Vikram Behl (Director, Human Resource – Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Mr Subas Visvalingam (Site Director, Malaysia Plant) met with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Dr Wahid Omar, Director of Corporate Affairs, Prof. Dr. Masputeriah Hamzah and representatives from CDU, IBD, and the Faculty of Chemical Engineering.
The ensuing discussion identified several potential key areas of collaboration, namely:
• UTM to provide source for Hershey’s Malaysia Plant Technical Talent Pool
• Internship/ Industrial Training for UTM Students (particularly manufacturing and chemical engineering as well as management students)
• Training programs by UTM Experts to build plant technical capability for Hershey’s
• Research collaboration in product development and product testing with accreditation
• Engaging with Hershey’s on community engagement initiatives
As part of their Asia Manufacturing expansion, Hershey’s is investing in a state of the art confectionery plant and regional distribution centre in Senai, Johor, which is their single largest investment outside of North America.
Hershey’s is the market leader in US Chocolates, with 80 brand names sold in more than 70 countries. It employs approximately 14,000 employees worldwide and has an annual revenue exceeding USD6.5 billion (RM19.5 billion).