Obersteirische Molkerei (OM) is merging with Berglandmilch of Upper Austria, according to Kronen Zietung. Around 1,200 Styrian farmers who supply milk to OM were informed that the market leader from Wels intended to take over the dairy business of the cooperative based in Knittelfeld. After OM’s supervisory board and executive board had already voted unanimously in favour of the takeover at the end of August, the majority of the cooperative’s members also voted in favour of the merger at a general meeting.

OM will continue to exist and will be integrated into Berglandmilch as such, with a location guarantee for the Spielberg and Knittelfeld sites, where hard cheese is produced. Milk collection is also being guaranteed by the Berglandmilch operation. The next step is for the governing bodies in Upper Austria to approve the merger at a general meeting, followed by approval from the Federal Competition Authority, Kronen Zietung reports.