As part of the "Bee Hilcona" project, the Liechtenstein-based company gave two bee colonies a new home on its premises in July. In line with the Bell Food Group's sustainability approach, Hilcona is thus making an active contribution to increasing biodiversity and combating insect extinction. The campaign was initiated by a number of employees, who worked together to develop a sustainable concept from the idea. They brought in an expert to look after the industrious pollen and nectar collectors: Marco Jehle-Radkohl is the only beekeeper in Liechtenstein and Eastern Switzerland who works according to the Demeter method. This form of beekeeping is based on the natural needs of bees. This includes, for example, the colony building its honeycombs entirely by itself - without the frequently used prefabricated middle walls.
In contrast to artificial queen breeding, the colonies also reproduce via the natural swarming instinct. Part of the colony leaves the hive to form a new colony. "The project is a successful example of sustainability in practice," says Hilcona CEO Martin Henck. "Bees are an indispensable component of our ecosystem. They help to safeguard natural diversity and our livelihoods." By pollinating plants, bees not only support other insects, but also agriculture. And there are more than enough of them around the two new Hilcona hives in Schaan. The table is therefore richly set for the new "colleagues".