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Artisan Confections Co., a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Co., acquired San Francisco-based Joseph Schmidt Confection, Inc. and completed its acquisition of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Inc. this month. Joseph Schmidt focuses on premium chocolates and is known for its artistic and innovative truffles, chocolate mosaics and handcrafted chocolates. The products are currently sold in select department stores and specialty outlets nationwide as well as in Joseph Schmidt stores in San Jose and San Francisco. According to Hershey's spokeswoman Stephanie Moritz, the company plans to keep the staffs of both Scharffen Berger and Joseph Schmidt and will allow each to continue making their products. The two companies together have annual sales of approximately $25 million. According to Hershey, the combined purchase price for both companies will be between $46.6 million and $61.1 million, "with the final amount reflecting actual sales growth through 2007."