Ricola gernerates growth despite adverse currency situation

The Swiss family-run company Ricola AG, Laufen, has again posted growth last year. From an economic standpoint, the strength of the Swiss franc continued to be a defining feature in 2013. Despite the adverse currency situation arising from this, the company managed to record a positive year: sales rose by over 5.3 % in 2013 to CHF 313.2 m. Inter­nationalism is increasingly paying off as a key strategic pillar.

The manufacturer of herb drops exports more than 40 different herb specialties to over 50 countries around the world. ”Last year saw the beginning of our collaboration with a new distribution partner in China, which got off to a good start,” said Felix Richterich, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ricola. Growth per­formance in the investment regions of the UK and Eastern Europe is also gaining momentum and showing successful results. Ricola will continue to push ahead with internationalization in the future, including in South America.

Ricola generates around 90 % of its sales abroad. ”Despite this international focus, we are fully committed to our home base in Laufen,” reflects Richterich. This is evidenced by the fact that Ricola manu­factures all its products in Switzerland. With the construction of its new Herb Center in Laufen, where company‘s herb processing activities will be carried out at a single location, Ricola is making a clear statement about Switzerland as a business location.

www.ricola.com