MCF advised Hero Group on the sale of the Gluten Free business of its Nordic subsidiary Semper to Dr. Schär
MCF advised Hero Group, a Swiss-based international company focused on branded nutritional food products, on the sale of the Gluten Free business of its Nordic subsidiary Semper to Italian-based Dr. Schär. The divestment is part of Hero Group’s long-term strategy of focusing on its core categories of Baby & Toddler Food and Snacks, Healthy Snacks, and Natural Spreads.
The deal highlights MCF’s expertise in creating value through the divestment of non-core assets by applying its Food & Beverage industry expertise and strong cross-border process execution skills.
The Deal
Hero Group, which is on a mission to delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature, has a global footprint and a portfolio of many well-known brands such as Semper. Semper is a well-known Nordic market-leader in baby and toddler food, baby and toddler milk and gluten-free products.
The divestment of the Gluten Free business of Semper represents a key milestone in Hero Group’s strategy of focusing on its core categories.
Hero Group and Dr. Schär are both family-owned businesses sharing similar corporate values, making Dr. Schär an ideal fit for continuing the success of the Gluten Free business of Semper. The acquisition includes the crispbread facility in Korsnäs, Sweden and the transfer of personnel dedicated to the Gluten Free business in Sweden.
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 Target
The well-known company Semper stands for the same high quality as it has done since the company was founded in 1939. Today, Semper has a leading position in the Nordic market within Baby & Toddler Food, Baby & Toddler Milk and Gluten Free products. Semper Gluten Free continues to be a market-leader in the Nordic gluten free market and owns a devoted gluten free crispbread facility in Korsnäs, Sweden. Semper has around 275 employees in the Nordics, with net sales of around SEK 1.5 billion. Since 2006, Semper has been part of Hero Group, an international food company with around 4000 employees in 19 countries.
With its tradition, innovation and broad product range, Semper’s Gluten Free business is a perfect fit for Dr. Schär, with over 100 years of experience improving the lives of people with special nutritional needs.
About Hero Group
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.
About Dr. Schär
The company’s 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 Dr. Schär was founded, proximity to the consumer has been the company’s guiding commitment. Their core competence combines the specific, complex requirements placed on nutrition with joy and pleasure of life. Dr. Schär is a family-run company with a global reach, with 18 sites in 11 countries and more than 1,600 employees worldwide. Their products are available in over 100 countries.
