Press releases

Lenzburg (CH) / Burgstall (IT), August 23, 2023 – The Hero Group, which is on a mission to delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature, today announces the sale of its Semper Gluten Free business in the Nordics.

The business was sold to Dr. Schär, a global leader in gluten-free nutrition and food for people with special nutritional needs. Dr. Schär has been involved in the gluten-free industry for more than four decades.

The deal includes the Hero Group's gluten-free crisp bread factory in Korsnäs.

Rob Versloot, CEO Hero Group, said: "We are very pleased we could conclude this sale as the business can grow to its full potential with Dr Schär, a specialist in the gluten-free business. The divestment is part of the company's long-term strategy to focus on our core categories of Baby & Toddler Food and Snacks, Healthy Snacks, and Natural Spreads."

“The expansion of Dr. Schär in the Nordics will allow us to strengthen our mission to improve lives of all consumers with special dietary needs." Hannes Berger, CEO Dr. Schär, said. "We welcome the Swedish team and are looking forward to further expand our market leadership in Europe.”

Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed. The transaction will become effective on December 31, 2023, subject to the completion of union negotiations and formal transaction procedures.

The Hero Group was supported in the transaction by Eversheds Sutherland, MCF Corporate Finance and Ernst & Young (EY).

About Hero Group
The Hero Group is an international 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's main product categories of Baby & Toddler Food, Natural Spreads, and Healthy Snacks are complemented by its activities in Baby & Toddler Milk and Specialties. The Group, which lives by its mission to delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature, boasts a global footprint and its portfolio consists of many well-known international and local brands. In 2022, the Group generated revenues of CHF 1.2 billion. Read more: www.hero-group.ch

Media contact
Hero Group
Stephen Chetcuti
+41 (0)79 616 1467
stephen.chetcuti@hero.ch

About Semper AB:
The well-known brand Semper still stands for the same high quality as it has done since the company was founded in 1939. Today Semper AB has the Nordic leading brands within Baby & Toddler Food, Milks, Gluten Free and healthy snacks. Semper AB has around 300 employees in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark, with net sales of around SEK 1.5 billion SEK. Since 2006, Semper AB has been part of the Hero Group. Read more: www.semper.se

Media contact
Semper
Anne Lindfeldt
+46 (0)70 276 1035
anne.lindfeldt@semper.se

About Dr. Schär
Our story began in 1922 in South Tyrol, the heart of the Alps, with a vision to improve the lives of people with special nutritional needs. Ever since the company was founded, proximity to the consumer has been our guiding commitment. Our core competence combines the specific, complex requirements placed on nutrition with joy and pleasure of life. Responsibility, progress and proximity are the values that give us our stability and reliability. We are a family-run company with a global reach, with 18 sites in 11 countries and more than 1,600 employees worldwide. Our products are available in over 100 countries. www.drschaer.com

Media contact
Dr. Schär
Victoria Angerer
+39 0473 293 302
victoria.angerer@drschaer.com