ELSA, an industrial company of the Migros group, took over a majority shareholding in the French company Idhéa on September 27, 2016. Alsace-based Idhéa specializes in the production and sale of cold sauces and spices.


This alliance will enable the two companies to join forces to expand the sale of sauces in Switzerland and abroad. The production of salad dressings and other ELSA sauces will be concentrated in Hochfelden by the start of 2018.

The takeover of Idhéa strengthens ELSA’s position in Europe and offers it new opportunities for expanding within the sauce market. The alliance also enables ELSA to consolidate the production of sauces at one dedicated site and focus on developing its activities in Switzerland and abroad. By joining forces with Idhéa, ELSA can consolidate its production of dairy products at its site at Estavayer-le-Lac. Sauce-production staff affected by the move will continue to be employed at the current site, albeit in another area of activity.
Idhéa will continue to market its Saveurs & Sauces and Case aux Epices brands, primarily in the French market. Marianne Fritz will remain the company’s director and a shareholder.

Idhéa produces and packages more than 350 high-quality sauces and spices for the food and catering industries at its facility in Hochfelden (Alsace, France). Its Case aux Epices (spices) and Saveurs & Sauces (sauces) brands are well known and recognized. The company employs 110 people..