Emmi Acquires Käserei Studer AG in Eastern Switzerland

10 Apr 2013 --- Emmi has signed a purchase agreement for Käserei Studer AG in Hatswil near Amriswil. The company produces and distributes a selected range of semi-hard and hard cheese specialities, the best-known being "Der Scharfe Maxx".

Its products are sold primarily in Switzerland and Germany. This acquisition will enable Emmi to expand its offering in the speciality cheese segment.

Emmi wants to further strengthen its position as a leading provider of Swiss cheese in Switzer-land and internationally. The acquisition of Käserei Studer AG is another step in this direction.

Emmi's CEO Urs Riedener commented: "Käserei Studer AG has excellent know-how in the production of speciality cheeses and makes premium quality Swiss products. Emmi can help the company expand sales internationally. This is a win-win situation for both parties."

Premium quality cheese products
Käserei Studer AG, which was founded in 1929, has been run by the same family for three ge-nerations. It generated sales of approximately CHF 20 million in 2012 and has a staff of 24 on a full-time-equivalent basis. The leading product in the selected range is "Der Scharfe Maxx", a tangy semi-hard cheese matured over a period of six months that is very popular in Switzerland and Germany. Other products include:
- Wälle Chäs, a semi-hard cheese matured over 5 months
- Le Baron, a semi-hard cheese matured over 12 months
- Alter Schweizer, a hard cheese matured over 10 months
- Maxx 365, a hard cheese matured over 365 days
- Appenzeller

Käserei Studer AG markets its products primarily via the Swiss and German retail trade. Forty percent of the production of Der Scharfe Maxx is exported, with most exports going to Germany.

Harnessing growth potential
Käserei Studer AG has first-class expertise in manufacturing cheese specialities and, with its products, is an excellent addition to Emmi's range in the cheese segment.

With its distribution infrastructure and client network in over 60 countries, Emmi will help Käserei Studer AG secure further growth. The company will also be able to leverage Emmi's know-how in pre-packaging and the manufacture of additional formats.

Emmi is acquiring Käserei Studer AG with its staff of over 30 (24 on a full-time-equivalent basis). The company will continue to operate independently in the market and produce its cheeses in eastern Switzerland. Daniel Studer, CEO, and his colleagues on the executive management team will remain with the company and continue to put their valuable skills to work for Käserei Studer AG.

The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.