Emmi Acquires 100% of Gläserne Molkerei Following Trend Towards Sustainable Dairy Products

18 Jan 2016 --- Emmi purchased a stake in Gläserne Molkerei, a leading organic milk processor in Northeast Germany, back in 2012. Emmi is the largest producer of organic dairy products in Switzerland and is carrying forward its involvement in this segment abroad and now takes full control of the company. Examples include the lactose-free organic dairy products from US firm Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery, the organic and Demeter-certified desserts of Italy-based Rachelli and – its biggest undertaking – Gläserne Molkerei’s full product range.

Emmi began collaborating with Gläserne Molkerei in 2012 after acquiring a minority stake in the company. It built on this in 2014 when it increased its holding from 24% to 76%, before taking over the company fully on 20. January 2016.

According to Urs Riedener, CEO of Emmi: "Natural, sustainably manufactured products are a major trend in the dairy business, which Emmi wants to take even better account of in the future. In Gläserne Molkerei we have a very strong niche company that offers lots of potential for the future."

Focus on quality with recognised standards

Gläserne Molkerei’s range includes milk, butter, milk powder, cream, yogurt, quark and cheese. The Münchehofe site focuses primarily on naturally matured organic cheese and organic milk, while organic milk, butter, cream and yogurt are produced in Dechow.

All of Gläserne Molkerei’s milk suppliers belong to one of the following recognised environmental agricultural associations: Demeter, Bioland, Naturland, Biopark, Gäa and Verbund Ökohöfe. Some farmers are also NOP-certified, meaning that in addition to the requirements of the agricultural associations and the EC organic regulations, they meet the even stricter requirements of the US National Organic Program (NOP) for the production of organic milk.

Founded in 2001, Gläserne Molkerei is a leading organic milk processor in Northeast Germany, with a premium range of milk, cheese and other dairy products. With a workforce of around 100 staff and two sites in Münchehofe (Brandenburg) and Dechow (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania), the company generates sales of just under EUR 100 million. The approximately 120 million litres of milk it processes come largely from Northeast Germany, in particular Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony and neighbouring Denmark.