Dr. Oetker and Bavarian dairy group Molkerei Gropper have announced they will form a joint venture company in order to increase production capacity for their respective markets.
Both companies will own a 50% stake in the joint venture, which will start operating from 1 April 2018 – subject to approval from Germany’s national competition regulator.
Dr. Oetker will transfer ownership of its Moers factory to the new joint venture company, while Molkerei Gropper will invest funds equal to the value of the plant in order to upgrade existing production infrastructure and invest in new production facilities.
According to the companies, the Moers plant will focus on developing desserts and produce dairy products such as quark, yoghurt, dairy and non-dairy beverages.
The joint venture will be managed by an equal number of board members from each company.
Dr. Martin Reintjes, sales director of Dr. Oetker said: “In the new partnership, the two companies – which position themselves very differently in the market – will continue to produce their own products independently.
“But both companies strive for more efficiency in production, which will be possible in the future by working together under the umbrella of an ultramodern production facility in Moers.”
Heinrich Gropper, owner and manager of Molkerei Gropper, says: “For us, the new location is a positive response to our sustainable growth.
“The joint activities will take the strain off our main plant in Bissingen. With the Moers plant, we will also be optimising our supply chain for the north of Germany and neighbouring European countries.”
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