Press releases

Lenzburg, Switzerland, 20 March 2026: The Hero Group today published its Annual Report 2025, reporting 2.2% organic Net Sales growth and a strong improvement in profitability while completing major transformation initiatives and setting a renewed strategic direction. The Group’s Net Sales reached CHF 1,187 million in the year under review.

“2025 was a pivotal year for the Hero Group. We defined our long-term strategy, called Hero 2035, with the vision to become a leader in Better Snacking. With our strong brands, leading market positions and a very successful track record, Hero has all ingredients to win in the growing and attractive Better Snacking market. Our ambition is to expand our position via multiple Snacking platforms,” said Christian Schierbaum, CEO Hero Group.  

The Better Snacking category was the Group’s main organic Net Sales growth driver in 2025, up 7.0% year-on-year. The platforms Better Confectionery (+10.7%) and Wholesome Goodness (+22.7%), led by the brands Corny and Deliciously Ella, delivered a particularly strong performance.

The organic growth in Better Snacking (+7.0%) and Naturally Good Food (+2.7%) overcompensated for the planned streamlining of the non-core business segments Specialties and Non-Branded.

EBIT increased to CHF 71.3 million (2024: CHF 54.7 million), the result of continued progress in Gross Margin (+110bp versus previous year) and the completion of significant transformation projects, especially the supply chain footprint optimization that included the factory closures in Götene (Sweden) and Lenzburg (Switzerland). The resulting cost savings as well as the portfolio shift towards higher-margin Snacking segments are main contributors to the margin progress. Net Income for the year reached CHF 47.0 million (2024: CHF 36.5 million).

“We are pleased to have further improved the Group’s financial strength in the year under review. The step-up in profitability was accompanied by a strong operating cashflow of CHF 96.1 million in 2025 (2024: CHF 74.8 million) and a reduction in Net Debt to CHF 197.1 million from CHF 209.3 million the previous year,” said Dr Karsten Boyens, CFO Hero Group.

The Group also reported a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions (Scopes 1, 2, 3) in 2025 and has continued its work with certified suppliers to further reduce the impact on the planet.

“The 2025 results lay a strong foundation for further growth. We are thankful for the continued high engagement of our people who work to provide the best nutritional products for our customers and consumers. In line with our people commitment, we are pleased to note that women represent half of our senior leadership team, including the Executive Board,” said Christian Schierbaum, CEO Hero Group.

He said that while the geopolitical and economic environment remains challenging this year, Hero is well placed to mitigate headwinds, accelerate organic growth, and continue to expand margin and profit in 2026.

The Hero Group Annual Report 2025 can be accessed here.

About Hero
The Hero Group is a multinational food company focused on branded nutritional food products. The company was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg, Switzerland, where its headquarters are still located today. Hero operates in three categories: Better Snacking, Naturally Good Food and Others, which includes our Baby & Toddler Milk platform and regional Specialties.

The Group is a house of brands and includes Hero, Corny, Beech-Nut, Schwartau, Semper, Freche Freunde, Organix, Deliciously Ella, Sunar, Vitrac, Baby Gourmet, Queensberry, Pinati, and Casa de Mateus in its portfolio. In 2025, the Group generated revenues of CHF 1.18 billion.

Media contact
Stephen Chetcuti
stephen.chetcuti@hero.ch