What Heristo does

Heristo aktiengesellschaft is a fourth-generation, family-owned German food and pet food manufacturing group headquartered in Bad Rothenfelde, structured as a strategic holding over two operating divisions. The Pet Food division operates through saturn petcare — a European private-label leader in wet pet food with production sites in Bremen, Hattem (Netherlands), Vigo (Ohio), and Terre Haute (Indiana), producing more than 2 billion consumer units annually — together with animonda (premium branded pet food) and BugBell (insect-protein dog food). The Human Food division encompasses Stockmeyer and the Ferdi Fuchs children's sausage brand (approximately 50% German market share in self-service children's sausages), Buss Fertiggerichte (210 million units of ready meals, soups, and canned goods annually), YOUCOOK (Asian chilled street food with 21% market share among branded manufacturers in chilled ready meals), Appel Feinkost (canned and fresh fish), Balcerzak (Polish meat products), Meat 2000 (South American beef imports), and Mar-Ko Fleischwaren (snacks, acquired November 2024).

Heristo makes money through two complementary engines. First, private-label manufacturing for leading European discounters and full-range retailers, leveraging IFS-certified production at 97%+ audit levels, a recipe base of 450 own recipes at Buss alone, and ZNU sustainability certification across major sites. Second, branded consumer products distributed through retail, pet specialty, food service, and wholesale channels — including the export arm miller conSup, which supplies Walmart, Costco, and Aldi in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Go-to-market combines enterprise B2B account management with regional sports sponsorships (SV Werder Bremen, TBV Lemgo Lippe), the heristo-arena naming rights (effective 2026), the Generationenbarometer thought-leadership studies, and factory outlet retail at Stockmeyer's Sassenberg/Füchtorf site. Group revenue was approximately 1.8 billion EUR in 2024, with a 50M+ EUR German capacity investment announced in July 2025, ongoing US and Chinese market development, and clear leadership continuity following the 2021-2022 generational transition to Oliver Risken as Chairman of the Management Board.

Name

Heristo

Legal name

heristo aktiengesellschaft

Website

https://heristo.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Heristo is a fourth-generation family-owned German food and pet food manufacturer operating two divisions: Pet Food (saturn petcare, animonda, BugBell) and Human Food (Stockmeyer, Buss, YOUCOOK, Appel Feinkost), producing private-label and branded products for European discounters, retailers, and global export markets with ~1.8B EUR group revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food and Pet Food Manufacturing

NAICS

Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111), Other Snack Food Manufacturing (311919), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom & Private-Label Pet Food Manufacturing (AFADAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH), Special-Diet Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (Low-Sodium, Keto, Gluten-Free) (AFANAFAL), Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAD), Refrigerated Meat & Charcuterie Wholesale (AFAIAHAI), Frozen Meat, Poultry & Seafood Wholesale (AFAIAHAF)

Keywords

• Food manufacturing
• Pet food production
• Private label manufacturing
• Meat processing
• Ready meals

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Rothenfelde

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Private Label Manufacturing: Heristo produces private label products for leading European discounters and retailers in both food and pet food categories. This is a core revenue stream with focus on meat processing, ready meals, and pet food.
2. Branded Consumer Products: Sale of branded products including Stockmeyer sausages, Ferdi Fuchs children's sausages, Buss ready meals, YOUCOOK chilled meals, animonda premium pet food, and other consumer-facing brands through retail channels.
3. International Food Trading: miller conSup handles wholesale and foreign trade activities, exporting European foodstuffs worldwide including to North American markets (Walmart, Costco, Aldi), New Zealand, Australia, and parts of Asia.
4. Wholesale and Distribution: conSup business division handles export and import of finished products for heristo companies, serving both internal group companies and external branded companies.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Heristo aktiengesellschaft is a family-owned German food and pet food manufacturing group that produces and distributes a diversified portfolio of human food products (sausages, ready meals, delicatessen, fish products) and pet food products (wet food, dry food, snacks) under both private label for major European retailers and its own branded portfolio including Stockmeyer, Ferdi Fuchs, Buss, YOUCOOK, animonda, saturn petcare, and BugBell. The group also operates international food trading and wholesale activities through miller conSup.

Product overview

Heristo aktiengesellschaft operates as a diversified food and pet food manufacturing group under the tagline 'The Quality Group.' The company is organized into two primary divisions: Pet Food and Human Food, with a portfolio of distinct brands that operate across multiple market segments. In Pet Food, heristo offers saturn petcare (private-label pet food market leader in Europe producing wet, dry, snacks, and dairy for dogs and cats), animonda petcare (premium brand for specialized retailers and veterinarians), and BugBell (innovative insect-protein-based dog food). In Human Food, the company operates Stockmeyer (traditional Westphalian sausage and meat processing with the Ferdi Fuchs children's brand), Balcerzak (Eastern European meat products), Buss Fertiggerichte (ready meals and fine food), YOUCOOK (Asian chilled street food meals), conSup (wholesale and export/import logistics), Meat 2000 (premium South American beef imports), and Appel Feinkost (fish and delicatessen products). The group also acquired Mar-Ko Fleischwaren in 2024 to strengthen its snacks segment. With more than a dozen companies and locations in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the USA, heristo is one of the highest-turnover corporate groups in the German food industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• saturn petcare: One of the leading pet food manufacturers in Europe, producing private labels in all major pet food categories. Market leader in Europe for wet pet food with plants in Germany, Netherlands, and USA.
• animonda
• BugBell
• Stockmeyer
• Balcerzak
• Ferdi Fuchs
• Buss
• YOUCOOK
• conSup
• Meat 2000
• Appel Feinkost

Products and services

• saturn petcare One of Europe's leading private label pet food manufacturers producing wet food, dry food, snacks, and dairy products for dogs and cats at three locations (Germany, Netherlands, USA). Market leader in Europe for wet pet food with annual sales exceeding two billion consumer units and approximately 1,000 employees.
• animonda petcare Premium pet food brand focused on nutritional and physiological requirements of dogs and cats. Marketed via specialized retailers (over-the-counter and online), food retailers, breeders, and veterinarians. Known for professional standards in pet nutrition and recognized as Top Brand 2021 in wet cat food category.
• BugBell Innovative dog food brand featuring alternative protein sources (insect-based protein) developed in collaboration with dog nutrition experts and veterinarians, providing balanced nutrition with essential nutrients and superfoods.
• Stockmeyer Traditional Westphalian meat processing company with over 100 years of history, producing sausage specialties and branded products including 'Stockmeyer - Deutsche Markenwurst', 'frohNATUR', and 'Ferdi Fuchs' snack brand. Employs approximately 950 people at Sassenberg/Füchtorf site.
• Buss Fertiggerichte Fine food division producing ready meals for over 70 years, located in Ottersberg near Bremen. Produces fresh ready meals, stews, delicatessen soups, and international and regional specialties with 1,200 items based on 450 own recipes and annual sales volume of 210 million units.
• YOUCOOK Chilled Asian street food brand from Cologne producing meals that can be prepared within four minutes. Products contain high-quality ingredients without artificial preservatives or flavor enhancers. Holds 21% market share among brand manufacturers in chilled ready meals in Germany, with international expansion to France and Austria.
• Ferdi Fuchs Children's sausage brand from Stockmeyer with approximately 50% market share in the German children's sausage segment. Products include mini sausages containing vitamins and calcium, marketed for balanced child nutrition.
• Balcerzak Polish meat and sausage manufacturer within the Stockmeyer Group since 2001. Markets classic sausage products and Polish specialties in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany.
• conSup (miller conSup) Wholesale and foreign trade activities of heristo aktiengesellschaft, handling export and import of finished products for heristo companies from Hamburg. Serves major food retailers including Walmart, Costco, and Aldi globally, targeting markets in North America, New Zealand, Australia, and Asia.
• Meat 2000 Premium meat importer specializing in beef from South America since 1981. One of the leading importers of premium meat from Argentina with emphasis on transparency and reliability. Launched Meat Royal premium brand in 2025 sourced from Argentine producer Azul Natural Beef 'Devesa'.
• Appel Feinkost Cuxhaven-based delicatessen specialist with over 140 years of history, known for canned fish products. Expanding into fresh fish products and chiller cabinet range with a Nordic, natural design focusing on proximity to the North Sea coast.
• Mar-Ko Fleischwaren Snack food manufacturer acquired by heristo's Stockmeyer Group in November 2024. Specializes in raw sausage snacks and savory baked goods, strengthening heristo's position in the snacks segment.
• Meat Royal Premium Beef Premium beef brand launched in April 2025 by Meat 2000, sourced exclusively from Argentine producer Azul Natural Beef 'Devesa'. Features antibiotic-free, hormone-free cattle fed with locally grown grain. Products include Royal Burger, Carpaccio, Rumpsteak, and pasta sauces.
• YOUCOOK Vegan Product Line Vegan/plant-based line extension of YOUCOOK's Asian ready meals, including Indian Style Vegan Butter Chicken, Vegan Red Thai Curry, and Chinese Style Vegan Sweet & Sour.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% passed customer and system audits across all plants
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• OWL Sport & Event (OWL Arena)regionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 January 2026heristo ag acquired long-term naming rights for OWL Arena in Halle Westfalen. Two-year modernization and digitalization program focusing on innovation, digital guest experience and service quality.
• TBV Lemgo LipperegionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 June 2025heristo aktiengesellschaft multi-year co-sponsorship starting 2025/26 handball Bundesliga season. animonda appears as jersey partner on LED boards and upper tier of Phoenix Contact-Arena. Continues previous partnership from 2007-2012.
• Elve Wind Farm OperatorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Stockmeyer signed exclusive electricity supply contract with two local wind turbine operators from Elve wind farm. Contract enables Stockmeyer to obtain electricity directly from two nearby wind turbines covering 40-50% of total grid electricity requirements under power purchase agreement (PPA).
• SV Werder BremenregionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 August 2023saturn petcare regional partnership with SV Werder Bremen for 2023/2024 Bundesliga season. Partnership provides platform for employer branding and regional visibility with presence on TV-Regio board, advertising pillars, and Kids Escort at home games.
• PetIdealcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2023saturn petcare and animonda cooperation with Chinese pet food manufacturer PetIdeal for joint Sino-German research and development initiative. Partnership focuses on product development and quality assurance in China to strengthen competitiveness in dynamic Chinese and Asian markets. animonda products launched successfully in Chinese market in 2022.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Bell Food Group: Swiss-listed meat and convenience food manufacturer with private label and branded chilled meals across Europe. Closely comparable to Heristo's Stockmeyer/Buss/YOUCOOK portfolio; Heristo's Pet Food board member Christian Schröder was previously CEO of Bell Deutschland, evidencing direct competitive overlap in meat processing and ready meals.
• Hill's Pet Nutrition: Colgate-Palmolive-owned premium and therapeutic pet food brand. Comparable to Heristo's animonda brand in the premium/specialty retailer and veterinary channel across Europe and the US.
• Affinity Petcare: Spanish-headquartered private label and branded pet food manufacturer with European wet food leadership (Ultima, Brekkies, Advance). Directly comparable to saturn petcare as a European wet pet food private label competitor and to animonda on branded pet food.
• Theo Müller Group: Privately-held German dairy and food group (Müller Milch, Weihenstephan, Landliebe). Comparable to Heristo as a German family-owned diversified food manufacturer with branded and private label positions, strong discounter relationships, and similar scale band.
• Hügli Group: Swiss-based manufacturer of ready meals, soups, sauces, and organic foods serving European private label and branded customers. Comparable to Heristo's Buss Fertiggerichte and YOUCOOK in prepared meals and to Appel Feinkost in delicatessen.
• Plukon Food Group: European private label poultry and meat processor supplying discounters and retailers across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and beyond. Comparable to Heristo's Stockmeyer and Balcerzak meat processing operations and discounter-led private label model.

Broad incumbents

• Mars Petcare: Global pet food incumbent (Royal Canin, Pedigree, Whiskas, etc.) with broad European presence. Comparable to Heristo's saturn petcare and animonda brands across both premium and mass-market pet food; differs in scale and brand breadth rather than category.
• Nestlé Purina: World's largest pet food business with deep European footprint across wet, dry, and treats. Directly comparable to saturn petcare in wet pet food manufacturing, with the cited EUR 150M UK Purina facility investment serving as a benchmark for saturn petcare's US capacity build-out.
• Tönnies Group: Germany's largest pork and meat processor with deep discounter relationships. Comparable to Heristo's Stockmeyer/Ferdi Fuchs sausage operations and Meat 2000 beef sourcing, though at a larger scale and with a narrower product focus.

Regional players

• Develey Senf & Feinkost: Bavarian-based German delicatessen (mustard, sauces, pickles, ready meals) manufacturer serving German retailers and food service. Comparable to Heristo's Appel Feinkost and Buss divisions in the German delicatessen and prepared-foods category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heristo-aktiengesellschaft

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heristo