Emmi buys Onken brand from Dr Oetker

With effect from 1 January 2011, Emmi will acquire the global brand rights for the Onken brand from Dr Oetker. Onken is primarily sold in the UK and in Germany, two of Emmi’s key markets. By acquiring the brand, Emmi hopes to consolidate its market position in both countries, thus improving market access for Swiss exports.
Emmi is focusing on the key markets of Italy, the US, Benelux, Germany and the UK to expand further as one of Europe’s leading suppliers of premium dairy products. The acquisition of Dr. Oetker’s yogurt business will significantly strengthen Emmi’s position in the latter two markets, the company says. Onken’s specialisation is the production of natural and fruit yogurts in 450 and 500 gram pots. The range includes a broad variety of fruit and natural yogurts.
Urs Riedener, Emmi CEO, explains: “Onken is number one in the UK and number three in Germany for large pots of yogurt. This strong brand will enable us to consolidate our market position in our key markets of the UK and Germany, and lay the foundations for further growth with exported Swiss products.”
Onken yogurts are manufactured in Moers in North Rhine-Westphalia. The acquisition by Emmi will not change this for the time being. Emmi will continue to have yogurts produced by Dr. Oetker, but will take over sales of all Onken yogurts. Overall, Onken yogurts generate sales of some CHF 75 million (EUR55.9m)