Ricola

Amidst the tranquil Swiss mountains, Emil Richterich, a Swiss pharmacist, diligently researched a cough remedy formula from 13 herbs. Inspired by his passion for nature, he eventually discovered the Ricola herbal candy formula, rich in diverse beneficial properties. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to learn about this world-renowned herbal candy.

The Beginning in Laufen: 13-Herb Candy (1930 - 1940 AD)

The story of Ricola began in the town of Laufen, located in northwestern Switzerland, in 1930. It is said that Mr. Richterich experimented with making herbal candies to help relieve coughs and sore throats. He studied 13 different herbs, including Elderflower, Peppermint, and many others known for their moisturizing, cough-relieving, and throat-soothing properties.

Mr. Richterich meticulously studied the properties of these herbs for over a decade. In 1940, he successfully developed the herbal candy formula and began selling it at his shop under the name Swiss Herb Candy. However, sales were slow initially because no one knew about it. He then cycled to various villages to sell his candies. He did this frequently until his herbal candies finally became well-known throughout Laufen.

From Richterich & Co. to Ricola and Expansion (1948 - 1962 AD)

Soon after, he officially founded a company under the name Richterich & Co. Laufen, also investing in modern production equipment for the best quality standards. This allowed him to produce high-quality herbal candies in large quantities.

Later, in 1948, the company changed its name to Ricola due to another candy producer using the same Richterich name, causing customer confusion. The name Ricola comes from combining the prefixes of the original company name: Ri - Co - La, derived from Richterich & Co. Laufen.

As time passed, the popularity of Ricola candies spread throughout Switzerland. Mr. Richterich then expanded production, building the first factory in 1950. It was during this time that his son, Hans Peter, became involved in the business, diversifying into herbal teas using the same formula as the candies, as he noticed customers dissolving the candies in hot water and drinking them as tea.

After Mr. Hans Peter fully took over the business, he seriously began venturing into international markets. Originally, Ricola only targeted the domestic market, but with Mr. Peter's strong vision, Ricola herbal candies became one of the first Swiss candy companies to export its products abroad, with Germany being the first country.

Ricola exported products to Germany in 1962. However, at first, the importing partner company was uninterested, stating that Ricola's packaging resembled seed bags and wouldn't sell well. Ultimately, despite their concerns, the importing company decided to order 50,000 bags of Ricola candies for trial sales. The result was that within the first year, Ricola's sales reached an impressive 1 million bags.

Global Growth and Environmental Conservation (1980s - Present)

Around the 1980s, the supply of herbs in Laufen became insufficient for production. Ricola then began collaborating with Swiss farmers to systematically cultivate herbs according to Bio Suisse standards (the leading organic farming organization in Switzerland). Simultaneously, Ricola committed to preserving the environment, which is the source of various raw materials, through practices like sustainable agriculture, carbon-neutral production, and biodiversity conservation.

In 1993, the first Ricola commercial aired on TV and radio in Switzerland. This advertisement significantly raised Ricola's awareness, becoming memorable for its horn-blowing in the phrase Riiiicolaaaaa. Eventually, Ricola decided to expand its market to other countries as well, currently exporting to over 45 countries worldwide across Europe, Asia, and America.

Over the years, Ricola has continued to diversify its products to meet customer demands, while maintaining its herbal foundation. These include sugar-free candies, chewable candies, and various herbal candy flavors, along with developing convenient small box packaging.

Currently, Ricola is managed by Felix Richterich, the 3rd generation heir of the family, who took over the business from Mr. Peter in 1991.