Press releases

• Employment levels to be maintained

Breda, May 13, 2015: The Hero Group, which aims to delight customers by conserving the goodness of nature, today confirms that it will sell its chilled juices factory in Breda to the Belgian co-packers company Konings Group. This sale will come into effect on July 1, 2015. As part of the agreement, Konings will continue making products for the Hero Benelux at the same factory.

Rob Versloot, CEO Hero Group, said: “The decision to sell the factory in Breda was not taken lightly. We are committed to our Dutch and Belgian customers and have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the Hero business and, more importantly, our customers will continue to enjoy the same quality products. The new owners, Konings, will continue producing the same portfolio for the Benelux region with the same quality as before in the same factory.

“Our decision to sell the factory was based purely on strategic considerations,” Mr. Versloot continued.

While the transition will impact the employees involved, Mr. Versloot was pleased to note that employment levels at the factory have been maintained. The transition will not affect the regions portfolio as the products remain the property of Hero Benelux. Hero Benelux will maintain its head-office in Breda.

Jop Peek, Managing Director at Hero Benelux, added: “Hero’s chilled juices continue to be an important part of our business in the Netherlands. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Konings in the production of our chilled products. Consumers can of course continue to rely on the Hero quality.”         

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 core product categories of Baby and Toddler Food and Milks, Jams, and Cereal Bars are complemented by its activities in the Decoration and Gluten-free product segments. 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 2014, the Group generated revenues of over CHF 1.3 billion.

Konings Group
The Konings Group was established in 1946 and is an independent co-packer with international clients. The firm has production sites in Zonhoven and Borgloon (Belgium). At these locations, a wide variety of products, including ciders, juices, cocktails, soft drinks and other spirits are packaged in cans, glass and tetra packs. In addition, Konings presses 50,000 tonnes of fruit annually (predominately apples and pears) at its location in Zonhoven. The fruit is then further processed to produce freshly pressed fruit juices and concentrates. The site in Zonhoven also has its own fermentation plant. The Konings Group currently has 300 employees.

Hero Benelux
Yvonne Hassoldt
T: +31 (0)76 579 80 00
E: yhassoldt@hero.nl

Hero Group
Stephen Chetcuti
M: +41 (0)79 616 14 67
E: stephen.chetcuti@hero.ch