The German company Uckermärker Milch GmbH, which is part of the HOCHDORF Group, is to concentrate on high-value products and markets in the future, further extending its market position with butter, buttermilk and refined milk powders. It plans to stop curd production at the end of October.

Uckermärker Milch GmbH, which is based in Germany and belongs to the HOCHDORF Group, is to reposition itself on the market. “We want to concentrate on high-value products and markets in the future and extend our market position with butter, buttermilk and refined milk powders,” HOCHDORF CEO Dr Thomas Eisenring announced.

Christoph Hug, Head of Corporate Communications spoke with the journalist: “HOCHDORF is focusing on products with a higher value, for example infant milk formula and special milk powder.”

“HOCHDORF produces infant milk powder since 1908,” he adds. “We started internationalization in 2006 and produced 2016 more than 17’000 tons of infant milk powder. The products are sold all over the world (share of revenue abroad: 95.5%). At the moment HOCHDORF invests in infant milk production capacities in Switzerland.”

“The decision to stop curd production is in line with our strategy: forward integration and premium products. HOCHDORF did not sell curd directly to consumers. HOCHDORF produces/produced curd for third parties,” Hug explains.

HOCHDORF plans to target investment in new production technologies for high value-added products to consolidate the companys position in the market.

As a result of this realignment Uckermärker Milch GmbH plans to stop its curd production by 31 October 2017. Changes in the market mean it is no longer a profitable operation.

Expiring, temporary contracts and natural fluctuation should mean there will be very few redundancies. All permanent full-time members of staff will be transferred to ongoing production areas.

by Elizabeth Green