LSG Sky Chefs and First Catering Produktion AG Incorporate Joint Venture “LSG Sky Chefs/First Catering Schweiz AG”
Zurich, Switzerland / Neu-Isenburg, Germany – LSG Sky Chefs, the world’s largest supplier of in-flight services, and First Catering Produktion AG, the internationally active, Switzerland-based airline catering company, combine their activities in Zurich in a joint venture. From beginning of April 2011, the newly formed company will operate under the name “LSG Sky Chefs/First Catering Schweiz AG” out of Bassersdorf (ZH), Switzerland, where its seat and production facilities are located. LSG Sky Chefs will hold 60 percent of the shares of the joint venture, First Catering Produktion AG will own 40 percent. Beat Gehrig, presently CEO of First Catering Group, will head the management of “LSG Sky Chefs/First Catering Schweiz AG”. All 200 employees of the two companies will be transferred to the joint venture.
This step enables LSG Sky Chefs and First Catering Produktion AG to combine their skills and resources at the important Zurich hub airport in the center of Europe. The two companies produce a total of more than 5,000 meals daily. Currently, the joint venture partners cater to customers including Air France, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Helvetic Airways, Hello, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, US Airways and Swiss.
Silvio Canettoli, LSG Sky Chefs’ Chief Operating Officer Europe and designated Chairman of the Board of Directors at LSG Sky Chefs/First Catering Schweiz AG, comments: “LSG Sky Chefs has been operating at Zurich airport since 1998.
This new joint venture with a Swiss partner will give us a better understanding of the Swiss market specifics.”
Markus Oberholzer, founder and owner of First Catering Produktion AG and designated member of the Board of Directors at LSG Sky Chefs/First Catering Schweiz AG: “This new joint venture will enable us to combine our skills and resources in Zurich to deliver creative and efficient customer solutions. Additionally, we will be able to benefit from LSG Sky Chefs’ huge expertise and worldwide experience.”
About First Catering Produktion AG:
First Catering was founded in 1995 by Markus Oberholzer and started operation in Bassersdorf, Switzerland. In 1998, the company started its expansion to Africa. In 2010, Markus Oberholzer incorporated his activities in South Africa, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria into a 50/50 joint venture with the Newrest Group. First Catering is privately owned by Markus Oberholzer and provides in-flight and oilrig catering, complete in-flight solutions, duty free concepts and cabin dressing and cleaning with 1,630 employees worldwide, among them ca. 80 located in Bassersdorf (ZH), Switzerland (2010). For more information, please visit www.firstcatering.com