“The Røros dairy has a great history and good people. We at TINE are impressed with what they have achieved and are happy that we could play a role in helping them in the startup,” TINE CEO Gunnar Hovland said.
“Now a new chapter is starting and it was natural for us to sell our share.”
The dairy in Røros, close to the Swedish border, has become a competitor in recent years, the company said, and TINE added the dairy now needs further investment to continue its growth.
“We certainly do not want to be a brake on the further development of Rørosmeieriet and have had a good dialogue about possible sales, while at the same time we have been concerned with conditions that reflect the value of our ownership, which we have now obtained,” Hovland said.
Trond Vilhelm Lund, who has led the company for the past 12 years, said, “We are looking forward to a new chapter in Rørosmeieriet's history. This is a solution that gives us many opportunities in the future, for the company, employees, eco farmers and the food industry in the Røros areas.
“This will strengthen us and provide a basis for us to take new, major steps forward. TINE has been important for the Røros dairy startup, and we look forward to continued good cooperation with them around important areas such as more conversion to organic, and optimal use of eco milk in Norway.”