The history of Frutco AG
1991
Gerber Inc. USA has a plant in San Jose, Costa Rica, for the processing of fresh bananas into banana puree. Over time, production volume has exceeded their own needs for banana puree for baby food production. Gerber Inc. decided to sell their excess volume on the free market. In Europe, they find M Rüdiger and H Schenker, two experts on the drinks market.
10.1.1992
With M Rüdiger and H Schenker, Gerber Finance USA founds Frutco AG in Lostorf SO. Frutco AG receives the licence to act as a sales partner for banana puree in Europe for Geber Ingredients in Costa Rica. Over the years to come, Frutco AG expands its sales of banana puree in Europe.
1992
In its first business year, Frutco AG achieves sales of CHF 3.7 million, with profits reaching CHF 24,000.
1994
Sandoz becomes part owner of Frutco AG through a merger with Gerber Inc. USA.
1995
Frutco AG begins to add new processed exotic fruits to its product range step by step.
1996/2000
Novartis came into being in 1996 through a merger between Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. In 2000, Novartis takes over Gerber Inc. and becomes part owner of Frutco AG.
2000
In January, Frutco AG moves into offices in the historic former Bally Schuhe administration building in Schönenwerd, SO.
2005
Novartis sells its shares in Frutco AG to the two majority shareholders.
2006
Frutco AG founds subsidiary Frutco (Netherlands) B.V. in Holland for organic sales in the EU.
2007
Nestle takes over Gerber Inc. and becomes a Frutco AG licence partner.
2013
Frutco AG is taken over by ct finance AG.
2014
Frutco AG changes its registered address from Schönenwerd SO to Baden AG.
2017
Sister company Frutco de las Americas in Nicaragua is founded together with Chimaco SA (farm management) and Gemastepe SA (large farm).
2018
Chimaco SA, the youngest sister of Frutco AG, wins ‘runner-up’ prize for the best foreign direct investment in Latin America at the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai, attended by over 140 nations.
2019
FruBaTec Zomac, another sister company, is set up as a joint venture with Banacol in Colombia, and work began on a banana puree plant with an output of 36,000 tonnes, to be completed in 2020.
2022
Closure of our Banana Puree plant in Colombia (banana price too high).
2022
Partnership with Paradise Ingredients, Costa Rica, as supplier of banana puree and concentrate.