Bell Food Group's Hilcona subsidiary has announced that it is to take over Aryzta's Switzerland-based sandwich business, on 1 August.
The transaction, the value of which has not been revealed, will see all employees and the production premises, located in Schlieren, west of Zürich, transfer to Hilcona AG once completed.
Fresh Preparation
'With this move, Hilcona will further expand its market position in the growth area of sandwiches that are freshly prepared every day,' Bell Food Group said in a statement, adding that the additional manufacturing capacity will extend Hilcona's 'market leadership in this growth segment'.
Hilcona already employs some 500 personnel at its production site in Orbe, in Vaud, and the company said that the addition of the Aryzta facility will enable it to respond to increased demand for 'craft sandwiches', prepared on a daily basis.
"Freshly baked bread and the highest-quality ingredients are still the most important recipe for success," commented Lorenz Wyss, chief executive of Bell Food Group.
"With proximity to the customer, innovation and traditional manufactory quality, we will stand out from our competitors in the growing market for ultra-fresh products."
Sales Performance
In February, Bell Food Group said that increased at-home consumption helped boost its retail segment in full-year 2020, however the pandemic impacted its foodservice and fresh convenience segments.
The group which owns brands such as Bell, Eisberg, Hilcona and Hügli, saw adjusted sales revenue rise 2.7% last year, to CHF 4.1 billion (€3.71 billion).
The company employs 12,000 personnel across Switzerland.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
