Emmi teams ups with Belgian trading firm

The deal will go through as of 1 January 2008, the Swiss company said.

Emmi was founded in 1870 and specialises in cheese distribution in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The acquisition will strengthen Emmi's market position in Belgium and Luxembourg, the firm said.

A spokesperson said: "Emmi has had a presence in the Belgian and Luxembourg market for a number of years with its cheese and fresh products.

"But the acquisition of the well-established trading company will strengthen Emmi's local expertise and market position in Belgium and Luxembourg."

The new Emmi subsidiary will distribute the company's entire product range in Belgium and Luxembourg from the beginning of next year.

Haerten & Interimex S.A employs six people and will continue to be managed by the current managing director, Marc Clarys.

The last few years have seen Emmi expand into new markets, and with this development there seems no sign of it letting up.

Last April Emmi developed a new beverage concept to overcome stability issues with coenzyme Q10, which was due to appear on shelves in key European markets from this summer.

Called Lacto Tab, the product is a performance drink based on milk serum.

The CoQ10, vitamins and minerals are contained within a tablet, sealed in the lid of the bottle.

This protects the nutrients from degradation by light and oxygen, since they are only mixed with the liquid just prior to consumption.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that CoQ10 has surged in popularity among supplement users in recent years following studies investigating its role in cardiovascular and cognitive health.

It plays a vital role in the production of chemical energy in mitochondria - the 'power plants' of cells - by participating in the production of adenosince triphosphate (ATP), the body's 'energy currency'.

In 2005 Emmi bought a stake in Spain's Kaiku to help it expand sales of functional food brands into new markets in Latin America.