20.05.2019
Groundbreaking ceremony

Groundbreaking ceremony marks construction start of the new Hochwald dairy in Mechernich

  • On 17 May 2019, Hochwald officially begins construction of its dairy in the German Euskirchen district
  • New factory for longlife dairy products to be completed by the end of 2021
  • Detlef Latka, Chief Executive Officer of Hochwald Foods GmbH: “The investment is a milestone in the German dairy industry.”

Mechernich, 17 May 2019 Hochwald is investing around EUR 200 million in a new dairy plant for the production of longlife dairy products, right at the heart of the cooperative's area. Today's groundbreaking ceremony was the official start of construction on one of the biggest investment projects in the company’s history. “Our strategic Hochwald 2020 plan is setting the course for successful future development of our business, and secures the future of the German dairy industry,” said Detlef Latka, CEO of Hochwald Foods GmbH. Once the new facility is up and running in 2021, more than 800 million litres of milk will be processed into high-quality dairy products by more than 250 employees at the site in Mechernich-Obergartzem, North Rhine-Westphalia. 1,250 of the 3,000 Hochwald cooperative members are located in the catchment area of the new dairy and will supply it with raw milk. Mechernich is the ideal location for Hochwald's ambitious project. “We are building a modern and highly efficient dairy plant in the open countryside. Following a two-and-a-half-year construction period, we will start production in Obergartzem in 2021.” Deciding factors for choosing Mechernich included direct access to the motorway, proximity to large urban areas and favourable production conditions. Ursula Heinen-Esser, Minister for Environment, Agriculture, Nature and Consumer Protection, ceremoniously opened the construction site. She was accompanied by Günter Rosenke, Leader of Euskirchen District Council, Peter Manderfeld, Chairman of Hochwald Milch eG, Anton Streit, Supervisory Board Chairman of Hochwald Milch eG, Matthias Bug, Supervisory Board Chairman of Hochwald Foods GmbH, Karsten Schmal, Dairy President of the Farmer’s Association, Dr. Hans-Peter Schick, Mayor of Mechernich, Klaus Schleiminger, General Contractor, as well as both Detlef Latka and Thorsten Oberschmidt, joint CEOs. The Minister stressed the great economic importance of dairy production for agriculture, and for the region as a whole. Being part of a long value chain means employment for large numbers of people in both upstream and downstream sectors as well. Hochwald's decision to build a new dairy plant is an important strategic decision and a strong response to the current challenges facing the dairy market, and entirely in line with the interests of the milk producers. About Hochwald Foods GmbH:Hochwald Foods GmbH is based in Thalfang, Rhineland-Palatinate. Its production facilities in Germany and the Netherlands cover the entire spectrum of dairy products. Hochwald owns well-known brands such as Bärenmarke, Lünebest, Glücksklee, Elinas and Hochwald, as well as trademarks and international brands such as Bonny. www.hochwald.deContact Kathrin Lorenz
Corporate Communications Hochwald Foods GmbH
Tel.: +49 6504 125 129
Email: k.lorenz@hochwald.de