The trend towards more management flexibility through changing the structure of traditional dairy cooperatives into limited or public companies continues in Germany.

One of the norths most innovative dairy concerns, Heideblume Molkerei based at Elsdorf between Hamburg and Bremen, opted at a general meeting this June to form of a public company with former farmer-members becoming shareholders. The restructuring is seen as critical for plans to further develop innovation and expansion strategies. Specialities from the Elsdorf dairy include a range of flavoured quarks for spreading and desserts, fruit yogurts (including a line of organic products), cream, double cream and condensed coffee cream.