Beit Hashitah is the leading pickle factory in Israel. Since its establishment in 1938, the factory has constantly developed and the brand Beit Hashitah has become synonymous with pickle quality and variety.

In 1998, Osem acquired control of the factory and Assis’ industrial activities which include production of syrups, jellies, and tahini were merged with Beit Hashitah.

Now with the help of Osem, the long-standing Beit Hashitah factory was about to embark on a new journey.

 

The Beit Hashitah pickle factory is, without a doubt, one of the first industrial enterprises in the Beit Shean Valley, and definitely a first in the kibbutz movement. The members of Kibbutz Beit Hashitah decided to succumb to the seasonal fluctuations of agriculture and to establish a factory where its members could work continuously even in the months when less labor was needed for agriculture.

Thus, ten years after Kibbutz Beit Hashitah became settled on the land, its members began preserving olives and pickling cucumbers in the canning factory they had built; over the years a variety of different vegetables were added to the process.

In the 1980s, the Shean Olives factory merged with Beit Hashitah which continues to market the products under the brand “Hazayit” (Hebrew for olive.) Following the acquisition, Beit Hashitah became the biggest factory leading the market in every way including volume of sales, market share, number of products, number of brands, etc.

The year 1998 was a turning point in the history of the factory. This was the year that Osem, the huge food corporation, acquired 51% of the factory, and merged it with the industrial activities of Assis, which Osem had acquired some years earlier.

The production lines for syrups, jellies and tahini were moved from the Assis plant in Netanyah to the Beit Hashitah factory, and the long-standing Beit Hashitah factory embarked on its new journey.

Immediately following the acquisition, Beit Hashitah acquired another pickle factory–Pri Veyerek (Fruit and Vegetable). About two years ago the entire production facility was transferred to Beit Hashitah although its products continue to be marketed under the Pri Veyerek brand name.

At the Beit Hashitah factory a great deal is invested in development. A real breakthrough was made in 2001 when the company launched chilled cucumbers. These pickled cucumbers do not require ingredients for pasteurization and they taste just like home-made pickles. The product is very successful and has captured a sizeable share of Beit Hashitah’s overall sales.

Beit Hashitah also exports its products and currently exports count for 15% of total sales. The target clientele for Beit Hashitah products is Israelis and Jews, mainly in the United States and in Europe.

In 2004, Osem completed its acquisition of all Beit Hashitah shares, and has now taken full ownership of the company.