The firm completed a successful merger with the Dutch cheese manufacturer in April this year.
Health, convenience and indulgence
With the merger of DMK GROUP and DOC Kaas the pair want to expand further into international markets and serve existing customers better. The formation of DOC Dairy Partners, its marketing and distribution company, is an important step in securing these objectives.
Ron Krekels, managing director, DOC Diary Partners, told DairyReporter the food market has been shaped for many years by three mega trends: health, convenience and indulgence. That is not going to change in the foreseeable future.
“Sustainability and social responsibility is also another important factor as well as people becoming increasingly mobile. It's not just the eating-out market that has to adapt, but retailers as well,” he said.
“People want healthy, tasty convenience products for when they're out and about. We’re responding to this trend, for example, with our Oldenburger Yoghurt Drink in a 200ml pack with a straw. This flavored yogurt drink is produced from pure cow's milk to the highest German quality standards and is free from colors and preservatives.”
DMK Group's new subsidiary has its headquarters in Hoogeveen in the Netherlands, serving the Benelux countries and France.
Gouda Holland
DOC Dairy Partners will focus on marketing genuine Dutch cheese with the protected geographical indication label 'Gouda Holland' and DMK Group’s 'Made in Germany' product portfolio.
“The biggest challenges for us as a dairy company are the low market prices of milk and dairy products and volatile markets,” added Krekels.
“We are facing up to this troubled market environment by emphasizing our broad product portfolio, strengthening the branded products business and developing and launching innovative new products, seen at SIAL.
“The aspect of the circular economy is embedded in our DMK 2020 sustainability strategy. For example, we have set ourselves the goal of developing innovative, environmentally friendly and on-trend packaging concepts.
“We aim to reduce pollution as effectively as possible and at the same time improve environmental compatibility. Waste flows will be continuously optimized and the volume of residual waste reduced at our sites.”