Ricola to take over Hero Group production plant

Herbal sweets maker Ricola Group has acquired a production plant in Switzerland from Hero Group.

Ricola will take over the plant in Karl Roth-Strasse, Lenzburg, to “overcome the production constraints” at its own site 60 kilometres west in Laufen and, it added, to “meet the high global demand for its products”.

The cough drops maker said it plans to create up to 40 jobs in Lenzburg, with production at the plant starting in the opening quarter of 2026.

Ricola manufactures all of its products in Switzerland, mainly in Laufen near Basel, and exports them to 50 countries. The group added its site in Laufen will remain its “most important production site”.

Thomas Meier, the CEO of Ricola, said: “We are very pleased to be able to expand our capacities in Switzerland with the production plant in Lenzburg, allowing us to continue meeting the rapidly growing international demand for our products into the future.”

“We are proud to have found in Ricola the perfect buyer for our production plant in Lenzburg. Hero’s headquarters will, of course, remain at the birthplace of our company and we look forward to having Ricola as neighbours,” said Rob Versloot, CEO of Hero Group.

Last October, Hero Group decided to cease operations at one of its jam production facilities in Lenzburg by the end of 2024. Just Food has contacted Hero Group to confirm this is the same plant that Ricola has acquired.

Earlier this week, Hero Group acquired UK-based healthy food business Deliciously Ella for an undisclosed fee.

The Swiss group is already present in the UK market through its Organix brand, which focuses on organic foods and snacks for babies, toddlers and children.

In 2022, Hero Group sold its UK gluten-free arm Juvela to brand-builder S-Ventures.

The group sold its Semper gluten-free business in the Nordics the following year to Dr. Schär for an undisclosed fee.

Just Food