SWITZERLAND – Swiss multinational dairy company Emmi has appointed Ricarda Demarmels as its new CEO effective January 2023.
He takes the helm of the company after being Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Emmi Group and a member of Group Management since June 2019.
Commenting on the appointments, Konrad Graber, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emmi said Ricarda Demarmels is able to fully leverage her skills and potential as a guarantor of Emmi’s successful future development to ensure continuity in management.
The current CEO Urs Riedener will step down at the end of the year after 14 years of leading the group and he has been nominated to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Under Riedener’s 14-year leadership as CEO, Emmi has evolved from a Switzerland-oriented company into a successful international group with a strong local presence in 15 countries.
During this period, sales rose steadily from just under CHF 2.7 billion (US$2.71billion) in 2008 to more than CHF 3.9 billion (US$3.91billion) in 2021, based on a diversified product and country portfolio and differentiated brand concepts.
The group acknowledges the high level of innovative strength and selected acquisitions have steadily improved operating results, consequently leading to a successful strategy and consistent implementation of its existing strengths.
The Emmi Group is strategizing on strengthening its position in the home market of Switzerland and continuing the focus on international expansion, to consistently develop profitable, clearly defined niche businesses.
Emmi distributes its quality products in around 60 markets and has 25 production sites distributed in 9 countries, employing approximately 9,000 employees of which 70% work outside Switzerland.
The acquisitions and divestments have enabled Emmi to reap even greater benefits from the dynamics in developing markets, raise the profile of brand products and further consolidate its strong position in the dessert business.
However, the company states that the shifts in distribution channels leading to acquisitions or divestments effects in the business divisions Americas, Europe, and Global Trade, do not have any impact on sales at Emmi’s Group level.
Emmi acquired blue cheese production site, Austria’s Leeb Biomilch GmbH and Hale GmbH, Laticínios Porto Alegre Indústria e Comércio S.A, and Pasticceria Quadrifoglio S.r.l in 2019 as part of the implementation of the long-term corporate strategy
While in 2020 it acquired Indulge Desserts Group, Chäs Hütte Zollikon GmbH, and merged with Quillayes to further invest in its brand portofolio.
In parallel with the acquisitions, it sold Swirtzeland’s Emmi Frisch-Service AG and Lácteos Caprinos S.A.
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