Hero Group

Last updated
The Hero Group
Company type Private
IndustryFood industry manufacture of prepared meals and dishes other processing and preserving of fruit and vegetables
Founded1886;139 years ago (1886)
FounderGustav Henckell
Gustav Zeiler
Headquarters Lenzburg (Aargau), Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Dr Arend Oetker (honorary chairman)
  • Dr Hasso Kaempfe (chairman of the Board of Directors)
  • Rob Versloot (CEO)
Products Baby & Toddler Food, Baby & Toddler Milk, Jams, Healthy Snacks
RevenueIncrease2.svg CHF 1.14 billion (2021)
Number of employees
4,300 (2015)
Website www.hero-group.ch

Hero Group is a privately held consumer food manufacturer and marketing company based in Switzerland. Focusing baby and toddler food, healthy snacks, and natural spreads, [1] the group brands include Corny Snack Bars and Semper Baby food. [2]

Contents

Overview

In 1995, Dr. Arend Oetker acquired a majority shareholding in Hero and re-positioned the Group to focus on branded business. Business segments that no longer fitted this brand strategy were divested. In parallel, the Group embarked on a major geographic expansion program.[ citation needed ]

Today, Hero is producing products in its core product categories. The Group's operations are based predominantly in Europe, North America, Middle East/Africa and Turkey/Central Asia.

History

Small jars of Hero jam and marmalade at a brunch buffet Brunch at Hotel MacDonald (3674538828).jpg
Small jars of Hero jam and marmalade at a brunch buffet

The Hero Group was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg, Switzerland by Gustav Henckell and Gustav Zeiler, two German immigrants.

In 1888, investor Carl Roth joined the business. [3] After Zeiler’s death in 1890, the first two letters of Henckell and Roth's names were combined to name the company ‘Hero Conserven Lenzbourg’.

In 1995, Arend Oetker took a majority holding in Hero with full ownership of the company being transferred to the Oetker family in 2003. [4] [5]

In 2024, Hero bought the 'Deliciously Ella' brand, founded by Ella Mills. [6]

References

  1. "Hero Group Divests Nordic Gluten-Free Business To Dr. Schär". ESM Magazine. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  2. Harvey, Simon (2022-11-18). "Switzerland's Hero Group invests in new Spanish factory for baby food". Just Food. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  3. International Directory of Company Histories. St. James Press. 1988. ISBN   978-1-55862-634-8.
  4. Breiding, R. James (2013-01-10). Swiss Made: The Untold Story Behind Switzerland's Success. Profile Books. ISBN   978-1-84765-809-8.
  5. Holmes, Madelyn (1988). Forgotten Migrants: Foreign Workers in Switzerland Before World War I. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press. ISBN   978-0-8386-3304-5.
  6. Wood, Zoe (17 September 2024). "Deliciously Ella vegan food brand sold to Swiss group Hero". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2024.