Market Research Report: Hochland SE
Company Overview
Name
Hochland SE
Mission
To produce, refine, and distribute a diverse range of high-quality cheeses.
Founding
- Year: 1927
- Founders: Georg Summer and Robert Reich
Key People
- Former CEO: Peter Stahl (leaving position as of November 2024)
- Incoming CEO: Sebastian Schaeffer (effective December 1, 2024)
Headquarters
Kemptener Str. 17, 88178 Heimenkirch, Germany
Number of Employees
- Approximately from 40 different nations (exact number not specified).
Revenue
No available information.
Company Recognition and Notoriety
Hochland SE is a renowned producer of diverse cheese products, including cream cheese, hard and semi-hard cheese, processed cheese, soft cheese, white cheese and feta, cottage cheese, and quark. They are the No. 1 branded cheese manufacturer in Poland, Romania, and Russia.
Products
Product Offerings
Hochland SE offers a vast array of cheese products, which include:
- Cream Cheese
- Hard and Semi-hard Cheese
- Processed Cheese
- Soft Cheese
- White Cheese and Feta
- Cottage Cheese and Quark
Brand Portfolio
Their brand portfolio consists of several well-known brands across different countries:
- Germany: Almette, Grünländer, Patros, Valbrie, Gervais, Cathedral City, Simply V
- Poland: Hochland, Almette, Valbon
- Romania: Hochland, Almette
- Russia: Hochland, Almette, Fetaxa
- Spain: Hochland
- USA: Franklin Foods
Key Features of the Products
No specific information is available.
Recent Developments
Corporate Developments
- Leadership Change: Peter Stahl, the long-standing CEO of Hochland SE, left the company due to differing views on leadership. Sebastian Schaeffer will assume the CEO role on December 1, 2024.
- Partnerships: Hochland Deutschland GmbH entered into an exclusive partnership with Saputo Dairy UK in 2021 for managing the Cathedral City cheddar brand in Germany and Austria.
New Product Launches and Features
- Expansion in France: Hochland expanded its production at the Fromagerie Henri Hutin in France, establishing a modern and flexible soft-ripened cheese production facility. This was the largest investment project in Hochland's history.
Sustainability Initiatives
- Biodiversity Association: Hochland SE joined the "Food for Biodiversity" association in November 2023, becoming the first dairy in Germany to do so.
- Climate Milestones: Achieved validation of climate targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative in November 2022.
- Sustainability Practices: The production of Grünländer switched to GMO-free in 2011, reflecting ongoing sustainability efforts.
Other Notable Developments
- Infrastructure Investments: Hochland SE announced a 100 million euros investment in 2022 to expand dairy plant capacities.
- International Growth: Acquired US cream cheese manufacturer Franklin Foods Inc. in 2017, and a cheese factory in Belinsky, Russia, expanding their market reach and production capabilities.
Conclusion
Hochland SE is a long-established and family-owned international cheese manufacturing company with a diversified portfolio of cheese products spread across various global markets. The company has shown significant growth through strategic acquisitions, investment in modern facilities, and an emphasis on sustainable practices. They are a key player in the cheese market, especially in Europe, with a notable presence in several countries marked by strong brand recognition and product diversity.
