GRAND'MÈRE PÂTES D'ALSACE

Grand'Mère is a brand of Heimburger, one of the last French family companies to produce pasta from Alsace. They have been protected as geographical indications since 2005, have been awarded the Alsace Excellence label and Eurofeuille, the European Union's organic label for some of its products.

History. Heimburger was founded by Robert Heimburger, a baker by trade. In 1933, he set up his bakery in Sarreguemines where he made not only bread and pastries, but also egg pasta that he dried in his bakery. In the 1940s, he decided to return to Marlenheim where he developed his pasta production: first with his pasta machine, then by building his own factory in 1946-1947. He then chose his first commercial brand, La Colombe, a symbol of peace and purity. Grand'Mère pasta, which requires seven fresh eggs per kilogram of superior durum wheat semolina, was created in 1971. Since then, Grand' Mère has been the flagship brand of the Heimburger company.

In 1979, Robert, son of the founder whom he has been working with since the 1960s, took over the management of the family business. Under his leadership, the factory's production capacity was significantly increased. Robert Heimburger Jr. retired in 1998 and gave way to his wife, Hélène Heimburger, and his two sons, Robert and Philippe.

The products. Grand'Mère pasta, organic pasta, wholemeal egg pasta, traditional noodles and twists, and Landleben food supplements.

Employment. 90 people produce 13,000 tonnes of pasta per year for a turnover of 21 million euros, 20% of which is exported.