Hero Group
 | |
| Private | |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Founder |
Gustav Henckell Gustav Zeiler |
| Headquarters | Lenzburg, Switzerland |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Kiyan Nouchirvani (Chairman) |
| Products | Infant nutrition, fruit |
| Revenue |
 CHF 1.434 billion (2014) |
Number of employees | 4,000 (2013) |
| Website | www.hero.ch |
Hero Group /ˈɛroʊ ɡrʊp/ is an international brand-focused consumer foods group. It was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Shortly after the turn of the century it started its international expansion with its first subsidiaries in Spain, the Netherlands and Italy.
Overview
In 1995, Dr. Arend Oetker acquired a majority shareholding in Hero and re-positioned the Group to focus on branded business. Business segments that no longer fitted this brand strategy were divested. Business acquisitions strengthened its core infant nutrition and fruit categories. In parallel, the Group embarked on a major geographic expansion program.
Today, Hero is producing products in its core product categories of Infant Nutrition and Fruit. The Group’s operations are based predominantly in Europe, North America, Middle East/Africa and Turkey/Central Asia.
In 2009, the Group generated revenues of close to CHF 2 billion with over 4,000 employees in more than 30 countries. Since 2003, Hero has been in private ownership. Dr. Arend Oetker is the majority shareholder.