History and know-how
HUGO is the flagship brand of French pickles from Reitzel, a family-run SME founded in 1909 by Hugo Reitzel.
HUGO represents local in a jar, and allows locavores to enjoy 100% French products, with complete transparency! With the ambition of becoming the benchmark for French pickles, HUGO supports the relocalization of gherkins and meets French consumers' need for transparency.
Originally from Baden-Württemberg in Germany, Hugo Reitzel left his native region and settled in Lausanne.
At the age of 28, he created the company Reitzel & Cie and bought the property of Rochebord in Aigle, on which there was agricultural land and a mustard factory. He decided to continue the production of the famous Aigle mustard (known since the 18th century).
Hugo Reitzel met Aïda Frati, of Italian origin, when he arrived in Lausanne, Switzerland. They got married and had 4 children.
While the First World War was raging, the company began producing the famous gherkins and other vegetables (cauliflower, celery, carrots, onions, etc.), which were first grown on the estate and then purchased from farmers in the Rhône plain.
The Reitzel company specializes in pickled vegetables, which are initially made by hand. Aïda came up with the idea, inspired by the sott'aceti of Tuscany!
Hugo’s sons Charles and Franz take over leadership of the company, which becomes Reitzel Frères.
Takeover of the Bésiers canning factory in Castelsarrasin (82) to launch the french business .
Acquisition of Guy Briand SA in Montrichard Val de Cher (41), which becomes Reitzel Briand. The company specializes in the manufacture and packaging of condiments in jars: the private label activity begins.
Reitzel relaunches the French gherkin.
Launch of HUGO in France, the flagship brand for French gherkins (Supermarkets & Food Service).
Concerned about its environmental impact, Reitzel is launching its VIA (Very Important Actions) program in 2022 to achieve its 2030 objectives.
