GERMANY – German meat processing giant Tönnies Group is set to adopt a new name, Premium Food Group (PFG), starting next year as part of a corporate rebranding. 

The name change represents a shift in the company’s business strategy, changing from its roots as a meat processor to a broader food manufacturing entity.

Under the new structure, the Tönnies name will be reserved exclusively for the company’s meat division. 

This reorganization will see the Tönnies signage at the company’s headquarters in Rheda-Wiedenbrück replaced by the Premium Food Group logo next year.

Maximilian Tönnies, a shareholder in the family-owned business, explained that the rebranding stems from a “structural transformation process” initiated several years ago. 

The change aims to enable greater decision-making autonomy within each business unit, with the goal of promoting quicker and more independent operations.

Established in 1971, Tönnies started as a small butcher’s shop and has since expanded into one of Europe’s prominent meat producers. 

The company, which employs more than 15,000 people, serves millions of customers daily, offering a wide range of products that now extend beyond traditional meat and sausage items. 

Tönnies has diversified its portfolio to include plant-based products, convenience foods, animal feed, sauces, soups, and other by-products, such as proteins, fats, and flours.

In addition to food products, the company also supplies raw materials to industries such as pharmaceuticals and biofuels. 

Its operations extend to cold storage facilities and logistics for fresh and ultra-fresh items.

In recent months, Tönnies has made several moves to expand its business. 

In September, it agreed to acquire the German beef assets of Vion, a Netherlands-based food company. 

The previous month, the group invested in Nosh, a startup specializing in fermentation technology.

The company also made headlines in March with the closure of its export packaging division serving Asian markets, affecting around 140 employees. 

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