On The Call: Hershey CEO Dave West

HERSHEY, Pa.

Hershey Co. is looking to expand overseas, focusing on Asia and Latin America. The candy maker's second-quarter net income fell 35 percent because of charges for restructuring and to write down the value of a joint venture in India.

Competitor Kraft Foods Inc. has been selling off some European businesses it acquired through its recent buyout of candy maker Cadbury -- a condition imposed by regulators. Hershey CEO Dave West told investors on a conference call Thursday those businesses don't fit into the company's plans, so Hershey isn't buying them.

QUESTION: Cadbury just sold its Poland and Romanian operations. Obviously you didn't buy either of these operations. What does this say about your international strategy?

RESPONSE: All I can say is we didn't buy that business. When we look at (mergers and acquisitions) -- we've talked pretty specifically about Asia and Latin America as being our focal areas. Obviously Eastern Europe has some attractive emerging market kind of characteristics as well. We continue to look at places where we can add value.

We're going to do it in a disciplined approach. But I think the focus areas for us are clearly Asia, Latin America. Eastern Europe is interesting, but it's not been one that we've certainly prioritized in front of Asia or Latin America.