 As the company grew , it split its production operations , with the Harrisburg location mixing the ice cream and a new facility in Lower Swatara Township used for the actual hardening and packaging of the product . While local orders continued to be delivered in small Hershey 's Ice Cream refrigerated trucks , the company shifted to transporting most of its ice cream to refrigerated tractor trailer trucks , enabling it to stretch its market beyond the state of Pennsylvania . It expanded its distribution facilities , eventually occupying 22 co @-@ owned distribution centers . This enabled the company to ship products out more quickly after orders are received and resulted in less travel time for the products , ensuring freshness and quality were maintained . In the summer months , the company greatly increased its workforce and leased additional cold @-@ storage space to help meet the seasonal orders , as the orders were prepared by hand . In 1998 , operations were modernized and automated when the company purchased 105 acres ( 0 @.@ 42 km2 ) in nearby Middletown where it constructed a modern 1 @.@ 3 million cubic foot warehouse , enabling it to boost its efficiency , reducing the need to increase its summer workforce , and reducing the frequent product loss caused by hand orders and inefficient packing systems . The modernization of its warehouse also improved inventory management , order accuracy , and has helped the company continue its growth . 
