GERMANY – DMK Group, Germany’s largest dairy cooperative has opened a state-of-the-art baby formula manufacturing facility in Strückhausen in Wesermarsch after investing approximately US$164.4 million (145 million euros).
The investment highlights the dairy company’s commitment to adding value to its products range through science-based research and innovation.
Once fully operational, the German site would have the capacity to process up to 40 million kg of GM-free milk per year for production of high quality baby milk formula powder.
The company said it would source high-quality raw material from its own milk producers, which are located close to the plant.
It features cutting-edge technology, high-quality infrastructure and energy-saving processes and equipment, poised to enhance sustainable operation and job creation in the region.
“The conversion has enabled us to fulfil the requirements for further strategic alignment between the DMK Group and the Humana brand.
The investment will allow us to meet the requirements of state-of-the-art baby food production in the future too, both in terms of our own production capacity and our customers’ quality, sustainability and flexibility requirements,” said Ingo Müller, CEO of the DMK Group.
Growth in baby food
The plant will carry out the production of baby formula brand Humana with a goal to enhance its business in the country.
The company is looking to produce and commercialize the baby formula milk powder not only for German consumers but also for international markets.
DMK said it is also investing in innovative packaging produced in Strückhausen and tailored to meet mothers’ requirements in a bid to push the brand into the global markets.
The new site will also allow DMK to increase production of the resealable, protective baby formula packs used for its myHumana brand.
“This paves the way for further growth. Since October 2018, the myHumana Pack has been available for our Humana mothers on the shelves in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Poland.
The feedback we have received has been beyond positive.
I am therefore even more pleased that we can continue to get the new Humana brand home base in Strückhausen off to a flying start,” said Stefan Eckert, COO of DMK Baby.
DMK has grown to be the market leader in Special Milks and Infant Milk Formula in Italy where it sells Humana baby milk.
According to the company, all of its other baby milk segments are showing continuous growth with double-digit growth figures from the international markets.
