2020 JULY

The Official Magazin of the DMK Group

UNITED through the crisis

How we as a dairy are sticking together EDITORIAL POLL ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS It’s Good That We Are

What has “Us” Oliver Bartelt Head of Communication DMK Group changed for you?

The pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives Dear Readers, but not only in negative ways. We might keep some of these changes in the future, after the crisis. We have experienced some demanding weeks recently and the crisis is far from over. But now, at the end of June, we are seeing signs of hope. Now that Germany’s economy is Tell us what you think – what applies to you? opening up again, restrictions are being lifted and infection rates are falling, we can take a breath, look back and reflect on that turbulent time.

1. I cook more often and have been The last Milchwelt issue was all about the people at DMK, our employees and farmers – and we are dedicating this issue to them too. Without their commitment, DMK would trying out new recipes. not be doing half as well as it is today. We asked them how they are dealing with the crisis and what they think and feel right now (p. 12). And we also reached out to man- 2. I am discovering some interesting new places in agers who are having to hold their teams together from a distance, and who adapted to remote working and videoconferencing right away. Chief Human Resources Officer Ines the country where I live. Krummacker describes how managers can provide stability in these difficult times and promote a sense of togetherness (p. 26). This is particularly important with international 3. I have come to really teams. Now DVN is part of wheyco, employees in Germany and the Netherlands are ben- appreciate everything I have. efiting from their new colleagues and their knowledge and experience (p. 40). We also talked to farmer Detlef Stark about how he responded early and adjusted work due to the coronavirus. This is just one more of many challenges facing the agricultural sector (p. 18). Join in and share This is a time of crisis, but we can also see it as an opportunity. It is more important than your thoughts ever that we are growing closer together, becoming “us.” It’s a huge competitive advan- www.dmk.de/poll tage – particularly in these stormy times.

Enjoy reading – and stay well!

Best regards,

Oliver Bartelt

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COVER TOGETHER THROUGH THE CRISIS

Our employees How they are over- 20 How our employees are doing, what coming everyday Portrait people at DMK are excited about and 12 challenges to keep the Farmer Detlef how experts see the situation 12 – 31 TOGETHER company afloat amid Stark shares through the crisis the pandemic. his views on the pandemic. NEWS

Uniekaas – the brand expands 34 – 35 How global thinking is powering our company 36 – 37 Wheyco and DVN become one 40 – 41 Continuous Improvement – a commitment 42 – 43 28 About Our Brand 46 – 49 A source of strength Chief Human From The Regions 52 Resources Officer Ines Krummacker on COMPANY 46 what makes a good Ever popular manager. MILRAM is providing The coronavirus and its effects: even more variety. How employees are handling the pandemic 12 – 19 Verbraucher und ihr Verhalten: Über den Konsum in Consumption Founded on trust amid the coronavirus 24 – 25 Humana, Alete The big picture: 48 and Milasan – Ingo Müller and Frank Claassen 26 – 27 ssa powerful trio. What makes a good manager? Interview with Ines Krummacker 28 – 29 The Coronavirus Task Force: Our measures to deal with the pandemic 30 – 31 Column Marco Bode on team spirit 33 Combining family and career at DMK 38 – 39 One Finance: Making our figures transparent 30 The Bremerland brand is winning fans 50 – 51

34 FARMING AND AGRICULTURE Uniekaas online How a brand is 42 reaching new target A Farmer’s Views 20 – 23 Continuous groups online. DMK’s Biodiversity Project 54 – 55 Improvement DMK’s 50 powerful strategy. Bremerland IN EVERY ISSUE The traditional brand has made a comeback and is winning fans. Contacts to the Editorial Department 56 DMK in the Media 56 – 57 Masthead 57 Contact to Regional Leaders 57 DMK Sweepstakes 58 Recipe 59

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100,000 100,000 flowers. Martin Kastenbein from the Edewecht creamery took this picture of Johanna, his five-year-old daughter. She ran off into the rapeseed field to play and stood still for a moment among all the blossoms. Gazing across the endless sea of yellow flowers, she forgot for a moment that they were on their way to a paddock

6 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 7 FACTS & FIGURES FACTS & FIGURES 214 People work at the Strückhausen plant, including (left to right) Gaby Veith, Gaylord de Freese and Jan-Christoph Müller from the weighing department. They are among many of our employees following even tougher safety standards than usual these days, in order to protect themselves and their colleagues

Jenny Hensel und ihr Mann Norman, beide bei der wheyco in Altentreptow beschäftigt, genießen gemeinsam mit ihrer Tochter Mathilda das neue MILRAM Buttermilch-Eis Zitrone und Erdbeere

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1 Cutting grass for the first time in 2020, as farmers struggle with drought, night frost and plagues of mice. Yields are down, as growth was limited by the lack of rain. All we can hope for is better weather in the coming months

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Keeping a distance but staying optimistic: Alexander Holzhaus, Marco Rödiger (forwarder), Sven Angermann and Fabian Lange (from left to right) – in the Zeven plant warehouse.

e are now steering the “ company under totally different conditions.W It’s still a major challenge to support people at work, to keep asking questions, motivate everyone and go the extra mile. Right now, no one knows what’s going to happen next and how the world might look in Heinz Korte, Chairman of the a couple of weeks. But as a company, DMK Group, Bremervörde. we’re totally confident that we are going to come through this difficult time in good shape. We have a couple of major advantages – not only all the restructuring of the last few years, but also that each and every one of us works with a genuine sense of connectedness and team spirit. Even if this is a real stress test and we’re relying far more on phones, email and video conferencing right now, our employees are mastering these challenges in their professional and personal lives. This crisis is far from over, but it’s really showing how DMK and “WE” are pulling together. It’s the hour of the cooperative ideal, namely that “what one man cannot manage alone can be achieved by the many.” We seem to have internalized that, Coming and I’m very proud of that.”

through the crisis together rom our farmers in the fields to employees in the dairies and administrative workers, all are affected by the coronavirus, “ professionally and on a personal level too. So far, we have been spared any major outbreaks of illness at DMK, thanks to The pandemic has changed everything. How is it affecting a greatF deal of effort. As a food producer, we know all about hygiene and a company like DMK – and how are we handling the crisis? we are adding on extra measures as well. And as we process the top-quality milk that our farmers produce, we are happy to have them by our side. Our Employees and farmers share their experiences, describing what farmers are experts at what they do and we owe them a special thanks. has changed for them. We also report on the Coronavirus Task After all, without all their careful work, supermarket shelves would be empty. Germany’s Agriculture Minister Klöckner says time and again that Force and the measures it’s taking, how consumer behavior is “the food sector is of systemic importance.” We see this both as a challenge changing – and the strategies that are keeping DMK on track and as an opportunity.”

Ingo Müller, CEO, DMK Group, Bremen.

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eed suppliers, milk collec- ho would have thought that a virus would turn our tors, service technicians, lives upside down like this? I was really upset at “ vets and hoof trimmers, “ first. But then I started to think more pragmatically, they all come to our farm and looked around my house for an inspiring place and F work as hard as they did before the to workW over the next few weeks. I took a few things from my desk at coronavirus, they just keep a distance for Humana to try and recreate the working atmosphere from there. Now, safety’s sake. But things have changed I sit down, work out my goals and list my tasks for the day. And I feel since the pandemic broke out. Right now good when I tick off all I’ve achieved with a colored pen! I’m finishing training as an agricultural Over the past few weeks, I’ve become more aware of lots of things, business manager and the teaching is starting with the fact that emails can’t really convey the depth of mean- “I feel hopeful mainly online. After my exams I’m going ing or context of communication that you have in meetings in real life. Alberta Bruno, National Account to join my parents’ farm. It’s a small oper- Luckily we also have video conferences where we can ask if we don’t Manager, Humana, Italy when I think ation, we have 150 cows, but I enjoy farm- understand something, for example. It’s also really calming and nice to about the ing and I feel hopeful when I think about meet colleagues this way at least, even if digital communication can never replace interacting with people face to the future. This crisis has helped improve face. I do feel very lucky to be able to work from home, as there are so many people out there right now risking their future” how people think about agriculture, after health for us. I’d like to say a special thanks to all the wonderful people working in the health sector and to all the Luisa Wagner all, with import and export restrictions, other key workers out there.” people appreciate and value regional food Luisa Wagner, Farmer, and domestic production more. I think in Ringgau-Datterode. the long term, it’s important not to blame consumers for everything and to try and give them a sense of the positive side of agriculture. As farmers, we have to Lena Heptner, Quality Management Customer Service, Bremen, shown here talk more about what we do and why, and why that matters. That’s the only with her husband Kai Heptner, Head of way we can hope society will understand us better. I’d like farming to have Department at QM Knowledge and a better image and reputation, maybe politicians can help with that. And Analysis, and their children Till and Fero. I hope people aren’t afraid to ask questions, and that they’ll talk with us personally about their worries.” take the kids to day care in the mornings, drive to work in Bremen and then be back for supper. I usually work three days a week at DMK, and do another day from home. Now that day care is closed, I share child-care duties with my hus- band. I get up at dawn and work from 5 until 10, then my husband gets down to work. That works fine for me, I can take care of everything in that time, while Kai has to be available through the day. As head of the QM department, it’s harder to coordinate all the employees, allocate tasks work with 140 colleagues producing milk, butter and pass on information. Even though people and cottage cheese. I take milk powder samples and worked working remotely before, we still miss “ examine them using an infrared machine. I check ur children have gotten used to the more spontaneous office chats to share infor- their pH values and analyze their purity, among the fact that their parents are mation and get a sense of what’s going on. That’s other I things. It’s a strange time, with the coronavirus, but the “ here, even if they aren’t available a lot harder online. But there are advantages, measures we take are necessary and we follow social distanc- all the time. They do like com- too – having a lot more time with my sons means ing guidelines. We’re all a bit sad that we can’t have a summer ing Ointo the office to see what we’re up to. And I’m much more involved in their development. party this year, but we’ll make up for it another time.” that’s fine with us, especially when they come The little one is learning a lot from the older one with chocolate. We’re trying hard to keep to our right now, like how to cut with a pair of scissors normal daily rhythms in these strange times, we or how to hold cutlery properly... Making lunch don’t want every day to feel like the weekend. is pretty tough though! I know the kids have a Kristina Sturm, Laboratory Technician, Hohenwestedt. Our daily routines have changed a lot though. more balanced diet at day care than we’re man- Before the coronavirus, my husband used to aging at home right now.”

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t’s an extraordinary situation we’re ’ve got an individual workstation in Dennis Schierenbeck, in. Even after four months, it still feels systems operations, so the coronavirus fter finishing IT Systems Specialist, Seckenhausen. “ strange for my colleagues in Recruit- “ hasn’t changed very much for me. I don’t work – I’m a ma- ing to bring an applicant into a really have as much contact with my colleagues “ chine operator – largeI room, to greet them at a distance and sit as before,I though. And my whole working area is I often sit with my two meters away from them. At DMK, we’re disinfected after each shift. Otherwise, though, I’m sisterA at home and sew masks for much closer than that usually, we’re not usually working as usual to keep our systems running, and my colleagues. I only wanted to so distanced, so social distancing regulations doing occasional repairs.” make protective face coverings make work feel a lot less personal. But I notice for my own team at first, but that each and every one of us, and all the ap- everyone liked them so much plicants, are very understanding about these and more and more colleagues requirements. Right now, we’re mainly work- Sascha Meier, Quality Assurance, Zeven. kept asking me if I could make ing from home, using work laptops. It takes them one too. It’s great, I can some getting used to, but there are advantages, help people be safe and have fun too: a lot of meetings are held on the phone or at work as well. At a creamery, ver the last few weeks, we’ve made sure up to through video conferencing which is working social distancing is not always so 1,200 employees are up and running, working out well! And we’re using this time to improve easy. We have to be pragmatic. “ remotely from home using DMK’s IT systems. our digital communication and raise DMK’s It’s pretty loud there, because Setting each person up with their own work profile on career websites. We’re noticing that of the machines and that makes station O from home was a major challenge for us at corporate we can work efficiently from home and that will talking much trickier. Right now, IT. Not only did it mean procuring the right hardware but also make us more flexible in the future. We miss we write out our handovers customizing and configuring the central systems. We’re still everyday work at the office though. Usually we between shifts so the different optimizing the process to make sure everyone can communi- all sit together in one office and we can talk teams don’t come into contact cate internally and externally from home as smoothly as possi- things over or make a joke. We do miss that but with each other – we leave notes ble. Right now, I’m setting up the technical prerequisites so we we are so grateful to be able to keep working.” next to each machine for the in- can use Microsoft Teams, a practical collaboration tool. Aside coming shift. That really helps us from configuring all the IT systems, that’s involving a lot all a lot! After a production shift, of coordination, too. And all this is working out thanks when I leave the plant, I feel like to my family, too, who helpfully give me plenty of coffee. we’re doing everything right.” I do miss the social side of work but I’m enjoying the chance to be supportive professionally and at home, too. I hope these new working structures mean many employ- ees can enjoy a better work-life balance in the future.” Joana Franke, Team Coordinator, HR Service Recruiting, Zeven.

y wife and I are sharing “ taking care of our two and washing Andreas Trull, childrenM and it’s working out is becoming a Container Manager, Zeven. Jessica Gardewin, pretty well. Once we had to “ full-time job! Machine Operator, Edewecht. adjust the shift plan but we Seriously, we’re ’m in charge of container worked it out together at the all socialH distancing and we shipments and I troubleshoot department, it wasn’t a prob- follow the hygiene regulations. for the automated facilities. Nico Pemsel (l), Dairy “ Specialist, Erfurt. lem. We’ve had plenty to do We do that anyway though – Right now, we’re loading ’m really glad to have the same daily rou- though, what with the corona- after all, we are working with someI things ourselves, because of the tine and to be able to keep going to work Tobias Büchner (r), virus and Easter, we were pro- food. I’m in the goods receiving coronavirus. As colleagues, usually, we “ as usual. My personal life means I have an Control Room, Erfurt. ducing 40 % more UHT milk department, troubleshooting shake hands but we’ve stopped doing easier time of it than some people – I’m in March. We all managed it in the high-bay warehouse and that for now! It’s only when I’m home single I and I don’t have any kids to take care of. For me, the big difference is well though. Particularly as inspecting outbound goods. It’s that I realize all the things we can’t do dealing with truck drivers – before they enter the premises, they each have a parent, I’m really glad my all a bit more complicated than right now. We all have to take precau- to report to the guard and say whether or not they’ve been in an area that’s colleagues and my employer usual but we’re managing it all tions, that’s for sure!” designated high risk. Inside the plant, we all keep a distance from each are being so understanding very well!” Malte Huff, Receiving Department, Zeven. other, of course. My biggest wish right now is to be able to visit my parents and flexible in this situation.” again soon, in Brandenburg.”

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v ust before the pandemic broke out, I sold my house and was ndrà tutto looking for a new place. But then the coronavirus came along, so I tem- bene – “ porarily moved in with my parents on their farm. It’s quite a big place “ everything’s J and my sister, my brother-in-law and my two nephews all live here going to be too. Unfortunately, my nephew has a heart defect, so he’s vulnerable, as are alright.A In Italian, those my parents. So I set up a completely separate working area to reduce the risk three words stand for hope of infection, and that’s working out. It’s easier, of course, to communicate with and you can see them up colleagues directly and I miss our spontaneous exchanges. On the other hand, and down the country, on I was less distracted and could concentrate on work better. I have to get used colorful banners in peo- to how video conferences work – at meetings, we often all talk over each other, ple’s windows or as giant whereas now we have to be a lot more structured, so I take notes on everything. “Andrà newspaper headlines. This Right now I’m back in the office two days a week and that’s so good! I’ve also sentence is on my screen, managed to buy a house but I’m glad I was able to live with my parents while tutto bene – too. Right now, though, the restrictions were in place. It was anything but boring. Once everything is Everything’s I’m not in the office but back to normal, ideally I’d work from home one day a week. Maybe that’s what Hanneke Ensink, System Controller, sitting at the kitchen table we learned during this period of remote working, that we can do things like that DOC Kaas, the Netherlands. with my work laptop and more easily. I should add that all the information from DOC Kaas and all the going to be Marianna Betta, Senior my two-year-old daughter is sitting next to me, gazing Manager of Quality Assurance measures taken were really good and just right. We even received a bunch of flowers, alright.” up at me with her big round blue eyes. I also have a son sent to our homes, as a thank you for all our efforts. That was really heart-warming, and Marianna Betta & Regulatory Affairs who’s school age, and we do his homework together. at Humana, Italy. great for the flower industry too!” I’ve had to adapt pretty fast to this new situation, like most parents. The coronavirus turned my daily routine completely upside down. I’ve become a real multi-tasker in record time to handle work and family life at the same time. Luckily, I can work well from home. What I miss, organize and document con- though, is interacting with my colleagues. I do hope that tainer loading, and I prepare after the pandemic, we can find ways to live better. We “ the tours in the UHT ware- really need to take social responsibility seriously and work house. That’s all going just as together with other people. Let’s learn from this crisis and smoothlyI as ever. When we’re loading, appreciate the relationships we have even more.” we make sure we keep a distance to the drivers and other colleagues.”

’m responsible for Facility Management, including cleaning and managing our stocks of disinfectants, disposable jack- Tobias von Holten, Transportation, “ ets and soap. Working from home took some getting used Zeven Central Warehouse. to. I have a laptop, my work phone transfers calls to my own phoneI and everything is working out perfectly. But we have two kids, age three and five, who couldn’t go to school or day care. At that age, coordinate the you can’t just say, “go off and play,” so my husband and I take turns commissioning and taking care of them. Of course, the phone rings when I’m downstairs “ shipment of fresh with the children, and sometimes one of the kids cries while I’m talk- products. Hygiene is ing. Everyone has been very understanding, though, because that’s obviouslyI always really impor- just how it is sometimes. Luckily I can work tant to us. These days, we’re dis- remotely and manage everything within my infecting our working areas even working hours, and get all my tasks done.” Nienke Beverdam, Facility more often than usual and we’re Horst Böckmann, Commissioning, Management, DOC Kaas, The Netherlands. keeping a distance from each Zeven Central Warehouse. other. Otherwise, everything’s working as usual.”

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Agriculture amid the crisis

Detlef Stark, I need a manager of Anklamer Agrar in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania cool head

Farmer Detlef Stark started preparing early for the coronavirus crisis – one of many other challenges. But he is confident, as he has steered his farm through many other difficult periods

here’s a lot going on right now: we’re in the mid- meal, soy meal and minerals, we produce all our feed by our- dle of a pandemic, the fertilizer regulation has selves. We process manure in our biogas facilities to make come into force and we’re looking at a summer organic fertilizer for the fields. Our revenues are higher drought. Only a third of the grass has grown back thanks to this mass production – not all farmers are so lucky. andT feed stores are all used up. If all that wasn’t bad enough, It breaks my heart to see how lovingly-managed family farms we optimistically invested in a new calf barn, a slurry tank are having to sell up after generations. and a farm drainage system, for around €2.5 million, as it I don’t have a perfect solution for our situation. Farm- looked like the milk price would rise. No wonder I’m having ers have very different operations and systems, and I don’t sleepless nights. have an answer that would be right for everyone. I do think The pandemic is a challenge for us farmers, but it’s only about it a lot though. To me, it seems clear that the condi- part of the problem. Here in Mecklenburg Western Pomera- tions and relationship between dairies, farmers and retail- nia, we’ve avoided infections thanks to better hygiene meas- ers is going to have to be much fairer and more cooperative ures and a complicated shift rotation system. The lockdown in the future. has played into our hands so far, as has the fact that we work Sometimes, I need time out to think clearly, in order to together so well as a team. keep motivating my team. I force myself to get on my racing We’re a pretty big operation, with 1,350 dairy cows and bike and ride through the Peene lowlands across to Usedom. 1,100 young cattle, and I need a cool head just to be able to These bike rides help me to find ways to cope and solve manage that. Dwelling on my fears doesn’t help, thinking problems that I couldn’t have worked out if I was sitting in an about the global economy in crisis and sales falling in China office. Maybe it’s because I feel so at home here, this is where and Southern Europe, and what that means for the dairy my roots are. market. It also doesn’t help to feel angry with food retailers I grew up in this area. My father was chairman of the who keep reducing the price of butter, cheese and meat. And agricultural production cooperative and my mother was an I don’t feel much better knowing politicians aren’t likely to accountant. Farming is the only way of life I know – at home, help with food prices, given they’re trying to handle rising we had chickens, pigs and cattle. My father loved his job and unemployment. I grew up seeing him managing a large business even when Even though things look rough, I know I’m pretty lucky. times were tough. It wasn’t easy – that was in former East My farm is so big because it used to be an agricultural Germany and he didn’t feel he could decide things freely for production cooperative. We supplied 34,355 kilos of milk to himself, as the regime and the party dominated all areas of Deutsche Milchkontor each day in 2019. Aside from rapeseed life. He was frustrated by having to manage amid scarcity

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Last year’s corn harvest. Safety measures have protected the farm and its people so far. Farmer Stark is more worried about the likelihood of another dry summer

So times are pretty tough but I have Even with the crisis right now, to say it’s not as bad as the restruc- I still think that being a farmer is turing in the past, or building up the one of the best and most interesting company, and all the sleepless nights professions around. Harvest time is I had back then. I don’t need to fire stressful but in a positive way and I masses of people, or pay off old debts feel great when the harvest is good – we did that over the last 30 years. – there are lean years but there are We’ve been through several crises – better ones, too. I’m developing my also the financial crisis in 2007 / 2008. business, expanding the stables, and All that has made us tougher and more shaping the landscape through how resistant. I don’t get as rattled as I did the farmland is laid out. But what in the past. I do know, though, that I’m matters even more than that, what’s “We’re grappling very lucky because I benefit from my most important to me, is that what- farm’s structure, it can’t be compared ever I do or don’t do, I can decide for with falling milk directly with other farms. myself.” prices and we need liquidity and we need to be able to plan Some of the 36 employees on Detlef ahead.” Stark’s farm. They are the heart of the business and they carry it, particularly in times of crisis.

and was very happy when the Wall cooperative who were leaving. We had came down. to let people go, too – of the original One of the positive things about life 500 employees, there were only 60 in the GDR, though, was there was a left at the end. Those were the hardest real sense of team spirit and family co- conversations in my whole life. It’s ter- hesion, I feel. That really helped me af- rible to fire someone who has helped ter the fall of the Wall. In the East, we to build a company. Some people in experienced total economic collapse, the village didn’t speak to me again and without that community support, for years. The thing is, without these it would have been even worse. measures, I know the operation After that, agricultural production wouldn’t have survived. cooperatives were turned into farm- With the coronavirus right now, this ing cooperatives and I managed the is a difficult time. We’re grappling with merger of Anklam plant production falling milk prices, we need liquidity and Anklam milk production, which and we need to be able to plan ahead had 300 and 170 workers respectively. – and it’s a real tightrope act trying to We had to take on loans to han- make sure no one comes down with dle property disputes with mem- the virus. That would be disastrous for bers of the agricultural production production on a farm like this.

22 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 23 TOP TOPIC “Many TOP TOPIC people are he crisis unleashed by the coronavirus hit consum- – consumers also bought different products. brands rose more than private label revenues ers in two distinct phases. Firstly, people rushed to The measures adopted by the government realizing from March 22 onwards. As people weren’t take action, while in the second phase, they adopted restricted people’s contacts and also meant that things eating at restaurants and were generally saving purchasing patterns familiar from the past. restaurants and schools were closed for money that they might have otherwise spent How the TAs the novel coronavirus spread throughout Europe in Febru- months, including canteens and dining halls. cannot con- during their free time, they spent more on ary, GfK, a market research institute, noticed a significant Many companies, meanwhile, asked their food, despite the crisis unleashed by the virus change in shoppers’ behavior. “People panicked in the three employees to work from home. “All that tinue as and its economic consequences for households. virus is weeks before the lockdown was introduced in mid-March,” meant people were almost only cooking in they were “The demand for quality and sustainably-pro- says retail expert Robert Kecskes. “That was when people their kitchens at home. Grocery shopping duced products that rose due to the pandemic started stockpiling, buying products like pasta, flour and toilet increased significantly, we noticed. Some before.” isn’t going to fall again,” says Kecskes. paper in much larger quantities than usual.” People started to categories typically consumed outside the reshaping worry much more that they would become infected with the home gradually were bought more often too,” says Kecskes. Sense of solidarity virus soared, and suddenly saw supermarkets as places where Dairy producers were among the food producers to profit This presents food retailers with a major opportunity, they might catch it. At the same time, however, shoppers wor- from this trend. he says. While the pandemic led to fear, it has also created our shop- ried that some products might run out, Kecskes says. a strong sense of solidarity. That applies across the board, Spoiling ourselves from the friends people were unable to see for long peri- Return of the weekly shop In some areas, revenues shot up by a double-digit per- ods of time, to their personal environment. “In the crisis, However, these fears did not lead people to shop less fre- centage compared to last year, as consumers chose to treat people really noticed that consumer behavior had come to ping habits quently at the beginning of the crisis at least. “Many people themselves during the pandemic. GfK’s research be defined only in terms of amounts. That created signifi- stocked up so they suddenly went shopping more often. Panic shows revenues for more expensive cant uncertainty,” says Kecskes. He says people have buying meant some products simply were no longer available. woken up. “Many people are now more So shoppers headed to other supermarkets to try and get them, aware that things cannot go on as The pandemic is changing the meaning in quantitative terms, they were shopping more they had before. frequently,” Kecskes says. This phase ended on March 22, GfK’s More and more and more, way we consume, with people data shows, when the German government imposed contact and ever cheaper – this responding to the crisis in two restrictions as part of measures to prevent the virus from logic of increase is spreading. being replaced by a distinct ways. Interestingly, some That radically changed people’s daily routines, logic of discovery, shopping habits are back that many and their shopping behavior changed too, in two as people asked ways. “People were then shopping less frequently how can I sup- thought were gone for good than before the outbreak, but they were bulk port the com- buying, in a move that resembled the classic weekly munities that shop,” says Kecskes. The pandemic unleashed help me be a trip back in time, as this way of shopping is stronger and really anachronistic. We’ve noticed the oppo- more resist- Dr. Robert Kecskes site trend over the past few years, namely that ant to such is a retail expert people shop more often but buy fewer items crises? That at GfK, a market each time. clearly in- research organiza- cludes buy- tion in Nuremberg. Rediscovering home cooking ing more He has also written In April, people were called on to wear pro- regional many studies on tective face masks while shopping in Germany, products shopping habits and consumer behavior. leading to another psychological turning point. even if these Wearing face masks made it much clearer that are slightly going to supermarkets was risky, even though the Less frequently, but larger quantities: more expen- number of new infections had fallen significantly Contact restrictions led to the return sive than what by then. For shoppers, what mattered was to buy the of the weekly shop for many people people usually basics. Amid the outbreak, stores dramatically scaled buy.” In the fu- LINK back marketing measures such as special offers and ture, when they go displays. “The overall shopping experience has suffered shopping, consumers You can find the whole interview as a result,” says Kecskes. are going to pay more here: www.dmk.de/en/what-excites- us/news-about-corona/ The frequency that people shopped attention to regionalism “Many was not the only thing to change and quality.” people stockpiled.”

24 MILCHWELT Juli 2020 Juli 2020 MILCHWELT 25 TOP TOPIC TOP TOPIC

You can find more information about the 2019 financial year and the current situation in the annual report at www.dmk.de/ en/who-we-are/integrated-annual-report-2019

“I was impressed by how everyone is pulling together” CFO DR. FRANK CLAASSEN “We are all learning “A stress a great deal in a short time right now” CEO INGO MÜLLER test for us all”

Ingo Müller and Dr. Frank Claassen on DMK and the coronavirus, the international outlook amid border closures and empty supermarket shelves

Mr. Müller, Dr. Claassen, how have them after only a brief interruption. Dr. Claassen: The German Chancel- within a short period of time. That was a What does that mean for inter- only made it more so. That means we the last few weeks been for you? lor and the Agriculture Ministry invited huge production and logistical challenge. nationalizing our business? have to be agile too, and recognize and Müller: When we decided on new struc- Many consumers only realized retailers and farmers to Berlin and called Our customers saw how valuable that is Müller: We are continuing to press manage changes. And that’s an addi- tures for the DMK Group, we were aware how serious things were when on retailers not to offer food for the lowest and realized what an extremely reliable ahead with our activities abroad. That tional task for our managers who have that we were putting huge changes into they saw the empty shelves in prices possible. Food is valuable! supplier we are. We owe thanks to each applies to core markets in the Neth- to motivate our employees and keep motion, so we decided to talk with lots the supermarkets — is this a Müller: There are some contradictions and every employee for this achievement. erlands, Russia and China (see pages them up to date while remaining open of farmers, employees, customers and good time for food retailers? in terms of what’s happened since then. I would like to express my special thanks 36 – 37). What counts here is that we see for feedback and criticism. We are see- politicians. We knew that we were mak- Müller: If only! But we have to take a Consider the advertising campaigns that to every single one of our workers! these countries as their own separate ing that the coronavirus pandemic ing major demands of everyone involved. closer look at the market. Restaurants, retailers ran at the height of the crisis. markets that we want to serve individu- is by no means over – quite the oppo- In the last few weeks, what we’ve experi- canteens, all the areas that our Food They mainly directed their thanks towards That was not the only ally from those locations. We’re work- site. We have all learned a great deal enced amid the coronavirus is a whole Service unit handles saw business shut their own employees. That’s definitely challenge though ... ing to create closer and better con- in the past few months. In the future, new level I couldn’t have imagined. It’s a down completely for several weeks. We well-earned, but it would have also been Dr. Claassen: No. DMK’s Service nections between the different sites so we will go on, armed with this knowl- stress test for us all. But let me say right can partly balance that out because we appropriate to mention farmers and the area also had to react quickly. We everyone can learn from each other and edge and taking appropriate care. away that I am really positively sur- supply food retailers where demand has industry that’s making sure shelves stay had to introduce Microsoft Teams to unify and simplify processes. That’s prised how well our company and our increased enormously. But many rivals well-stocked. We did see some of that but more quickly in order to be able to what our MAXIMA project is about in Looking back at the last community is managing this situation. who only supply the catering trade are relatively little in comparison. Because organize video conferences faster. the Netherlands, that’s what we’re doing few weeks, what made the Dr. Claassen: What impressed me now trying to break into the retail mar- without them and without us, cashiers For employees working from home, as we expand our business in Russia, biggest impression on you? the most is how everyone is pulling ket with products at cut-throat prices. wouldn’t have had any products to scan. that was a relief, meaning we could and also in our activities in China. Dr. Claassen: I am really impressed by together. We had to adapt to completely That’s normal competition, though. continue working together even if our employees’ flexibility and creativity. new working conditions within just a Nonetheless, consumers still felt we didn’t meet at the office. The One When will life at DMK Müller: We talk a lot about our com- few days — remote working, additional At the beginning of the crisis, poli- as though there could be short- Finance project (see p. 52) shows go back to normal? pany values. I really feel that we are hygiene and social distancing require- ticians called on shoppers to be ages of some products and started we barely lost any momentum. Müller: When someone asked me when actually living them, too, when I ments in production and logistics. I sensible and at the same time told stockpiling UHT milk and pasta ... things will calm down, I said: Probably look back at the past few weeks. have enormous respect for the fact that retailers to look to local agricul- Müller: We didn’t have any supply short- Borders were closed for months and never. We are in an extremely dynamic Entrepreneurial, fair we are managing to keep so many pro- tural producers as a guarantee, to ages. On the contrary: We increased our some still haven’t been re-opened. environment and the coronavirus has and innovative. jects on track and kept working on avoid shelves becoming empty... supplies of particular products by 30 %

26 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 27 TOP TOPIC TOP TOPIC What makes a good manager?

would also have led to short-time junior employees are aware right from measures managers are using and Listening, communicating, taking action – in the crisis, there’s great demand for working, and insecure jobs. the start whether a company’s executives whether they are achieving the desired respect them and let them get involved. results. It also shows where things may management qualities. This is no time for hierarchies, says Ines Krummacker, You’ve worked for DMK for be difficult so that managers can address Chief Human Resources Officer DMK 34 years and you’ve also Managers have to be trusting ... particular issues. And there’s a new experienced a And that’s why even at interview measure to help us evaluate executives’ Managers have to be strong for their scared of their boss. Nowadays, the oppo- and listen, particularly in tough different stage, we look at whether managerial skills and competencies: employees right now. What kind site is true: employees who are afraid to times. Our colleagues are not only potential managers suit the Human Capital Index. If this is low, of challenges are they facing? contribute – and occasionally make mis- separated from each other in spa- our company culture. the manager clearly has to develop new They are having to draw on their lead- takes! – are only working by the book. tial terms, they are also experi- We make very clear measures and work more on their lead- ership qualities in order to keep their At DMK, people can make mistakes and encing uncertainty in their per- demands of our ership, ideally together with their team. teams together even from afar. They share their knowledge and ideas – those sonal lives. How can I help them? leadership and have to work out whether everyone has are the values we live and breathe. That’s the question to ask – man- when we ana- Who do you see as the right tools to be able to work effec- agers who are putting additional lyze manag- a good manager? tively – whether the tools are in place for You can often see from a distance pressure on people will find their ers’ poten- Someone who knows their own weak- people to be able to work together, or if whether or not a change process is teams perform worse in the end. tial, we nesses and isn’t afraid to name them. some issues should become a higher or working out. How is agile working learn a No one is perfect and when people lower priority. Communication is the going, and are remote working and What would have happened if lot about accept that, they can show their team most important thing, to work out the collaboration tools working out? we hadn’t introduced possi- their per- that they aren’t infallible. That helps mood in the team and to respond appro- They’re going very well, even if some are bilities such as remote work- sonali- employees lose their own fear of fail- priately. That’s not easy. It’s much easier still struggling with them. Most people are ing before the pandemic? ties – even ure. I think mistakes are part of the to sense conflict, undercurrents or sen- realizing that new ways of working are Clearly, our administrative teams before process of improving. That helps man- sitivities in person, when you’re around possible. That’s partly because before the would not have been able to work they come agers to be less distant and be some- or having a direct conversation. pandemic, we introduced the MOVE pro- and that would not only have “A good on board. one that people are able to identify ject, optimizing all our working processes constrained or stopped our with. A manager should be techni- Does anything become more obvi- in order to create much more efficient ways operational capa- manager gives How do cally competent, of course, but it’s no ous when you’re having to com- of doing things. That includes working bilities, it their team the you find out good if they have never learned how municate from a distance? remotely and also a culture of feedback. about their to deal with difficulties and obstacles. It shows which managers are really cut out We realize that employees need communi- stage” personalities? for new ways of working. Many managers cation, need to be valued and need We don’t go into the lead agile teams who work almost inde- structure. That means I need details so much as gain pendently on projects. Employees need to take an inter- a broad overview by asking support and the knowledge that they can est in them what’s important to that person, what contribute their ideas and communicate kind they are concerned about, and what has as equals. A good manager gives their of leader- shaped their lives. We ask them about team the stage – there’s no longer ship culture. Why the challenges they’ve faced in their lives, any room for the kinds of was change needed? and what they want to pass on to their hierarchies where At the start of my career, managers – like children. We look at their resume and people are in many other companies – symbolized ask questions we think are suitable. We better, cleverer people who had a higher can tell from their answers what kind status. Employees were clearly subor- of framework of values the person has. dinate to managers. As a young adult at the company – at the time it was Bot- Can employees also terbloom Milch + Eiscrem eG – I would judge their managers? In Person: Ines Krummacker, 50, Chief Human also make canapes for my boss’ birth- Yes, absolutely! We have tried to assess Resources Officer, has worked for day party at home, or run out and buy a how far our leadership culture is being DMK for 34 years. After completing present for his niece. Crazy, isn’t it, how lived in everyday life in several employee her training at the company, she has times have changed? That was normal opinion surveys over the past two years. held all human resources posts be- back then. You wouldn’t catch younger The “ChangeTracker” is anonymous fore becoming a member of DMK’s workers doing that these days, they’d but it can be broken down by teams. management board in 2015 for the think it was very strange. These days, The instrument shows which tools and personnel sector.

28 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 29 TOP TOPIC TOP TOPIC Crisis Manager Hermann “The Coronavirus Task Force” Köster realized early on that the pandemic would mean Taking the right a demanding time for DMK. They had to keep heading to work to on suppliers and service providers our lives in the future. What you need keep the business running. The last to follow special health regulations, to do is stay focused, keep a clear head track through four months have really been a learning and reduced external visits to plants and not get careless, even if there experience in terms of team spirit and a to an absolute minimum. The list of were times we all had to take a deep sense of “us” across the whole com- recommended measures, developed in breath.” By June, as infection numbers pany, he says. line with recommendations from the fell and hopes arose that normality the crisis health authorities and the Robert Koch might return, the German government The logistics Institute, Germany’s eased some of its restrictions. The cri- department, too, had “The key disease control cent- sis manager started to relax a little too. to adapt to the virus. er, went even further. The crisis team steered DMK through the ”We were focusing thing is to They also addressed But it was also clear that the crisis is not pandemic, under Hermann Köster’s leadership. on the virus non- washroom cleaning a sprint, and is far from over. stop,” says Logistics stay calm cycles, determined This is more like a marathon, His main feeling? Gratitude Director Hartmut where hand sanitizer demanding stamina, awareness and Buck. and don‘t get should be placed, caution. Keep “We were working careless.” where partitions “We are working and living amid a a distance on finding ware- were needed if social pandemic and that’s challenging for housing space for distancing was not all of us. The situation, and what we finished goods, packaging and empty possible and determined the allocation know, is constantly changing. That First things first. containers. And at the same time, as of protective face masks.In short, their means we have to be dynamic too, The Task Force, which encompasses international borders were closed and extensive planning addressed every while at the same time staying calm Köster, DMK management and members goods were moving more slowly, we last possible detail. and clear, without going into overdrive of DMK’s crisis team, started to tell em- also had to keep an eye on our supply and rushing into things,” says Köster t was February when ployees about initial preventative health chains, to ensure we could maintain Each employee received a leaflet ex- as he reflects on one of the most turbu- the management team measures in early March, through regu- 1,500 people,” says Köster. This was a supplies to our domestic and interna- plaining the main guidance on health lent periods in his career. “For us, even began to realize that they lar emails, posters and signs that called critical step, definitely worth taking, tional customers. In this peak phase, and behavior in order to help everyone if the situation is a bit more relaxed were looking at a poten- on people to wash their hands more and is still working well today. we could really sense the company’s get used to the new daily routines. right now, we have to stay alert and tially very seriousI situation. The DMK often, keep a distance from each other “I had my doubts at the beginning, team spirit.“ And together, all these keep a careful eye on how things are Group’s crisis manager was following and, most importantly of all, to stay at but now that several months have While many desk-based Hygiene measures help prepare the developing. If we keep being sensible the news coming out of China with home if they showed any symptoms of gone by, I have to say that working via employees could work from company for a return to the and behaving with foresight, growing concern, reading about the illness. This focus paid off, as so far, the telephone and video conferencing has home and quickly got “new normal.” Remote we will come through this novel lung disease that was spread- DMK Group has seen very few cases of become an integral part of our daily up to speed with new working is now in place crisis in good shape as a ing rapidly out of Wuhan and raging the coronavirus. processes,” says CHRO Ines Krum- processes and ways for employees on a vol- company, and perhaps through Italy. And while Covid-19 had The group talks every day and is macker. “Teams in some areas have of working, Köster untary basis, initially even emerge stronger than become a familiar term for virologists, in constant exchange about what to even managed to set up video coffee and his task force until the end of Au- before.” Germany’s Bundesliga was still playing watch out for, what could happen next breaks each day so everyone can keep were already on gust. Personnel stores soccer games in packed stadiums and and which preventive measures to in touch.” the next step. They will also remain closed It’s thanks to the good sense and thousands of people were gathering to take, in order to protect the company The pandemic has affected every asked themselves how until then. Meetings are willingness of all farmers and employ- celebrate Carneval. Hermann Köster and its workers. It was clear from the part of the company and every single a “new normal” might only to be held if they ees that DMK has come through the and other crisis managers outset that DMK was one of Germany’s employee. Alongside farmers on their look amid the coronavirus, take place in line with the pandemic so successfully so far – as well moved to set up the DMK key food businesses and of systemic farms, employees in the production what form would daily work current social distancing and as thanks to the painstaking work of Group’s coronavirus task importance. sites have also played a critical role in might take and how would produc- hygiene regulations, if they need to be the Coronavirus Task Force. Or, as CEO force. Germany saw infections surge in ensuring the company was able to func- tion work with the pandemic? Fur- held in person at all. Evening events Ingo Müller puts it, “it makes me proud That group of experts now mid-March, a time when decisiveness tion and keep the populace supplied thermore, they wondered, how could are banned for the time being. to see how we as a company have han- includes more than 30 was needed. The Task Force informed with food. the company prepare for a potential dled this stress test so far. Times members. They all made all executives on March 13 that any “I owe my thanks to everyone for second wave of infections? In the Will the crisis be over after that? like this show what we as a sure that so far, DMK, its desk-based employees should work their tireless work,” says Köster. “And course of the outbreak, the task force That’s unlikely. community are capable employees and farmers, have remotely if possible. “I am so pleased I mean everyone: From the farmers to developed detailed operating proce- Looking back, Köster says of achieving, and what come through the crisis relatively at how quickly our company was able the milk collectors, the internal sales dures to protect employees’ health and one thing was clear to him WE means!“ unscathed, thanks to their swift deci- to work together with IT to roll this out team through to the employees in the secure production and supply chains. right from the start. “No one sion-making and foresight in setting up for around factories and warehouses. And, of They canceled work trips, suggest- could and can say exactly safety measures. course, the administrative teams. ing digital meetings instead, called how the pandemic will affect Stay home if you are ill

30 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 31 COMPANY COLUMN

undergoing a core refurbishment, Marco Bode, and in 2021 we will expand the at- head of the SV Werder Bremen tic,” is how Mahlstedt describes it. Supervisory Board and European Transparency provides clarity football champion One Finance One Finance also aims to make the numbers the department gen- The focus is on steering erates more relevant. “By establish- ing the Business Units three years ago, we adapted the organizational DMK is modernizing its finance department to make the structure to meet the demands of the market. But there are sever- figures more transparent and working processes more al levels of value creation in one efficient business unit, from production to sales, so the current figures often don’t tell us enough.” To gain a The secret clearer picture in the future, plant and sales will be viewed separate- of success ly as of the summer. This greater Dirk Mahlstedt, Head of Planning& transparency will let management Reporting and Projects take much more targeted action. is trust “Many of the results of this pro- ject are going to be integrated The more a team expected goals and effectiveness. The into a new management report- players are given all this information decision-making. That makes One Fi- year, employees in finance had to up- ing scheme, ready for use right knows about a in team meetings, video analysis or nance an important part of the CFO’s date the plan several times.” Strategic away.” In the long term, all this individual apps. The goal behind all agenda, preparing the department for finance planning means in the future, information will be processed in company’s strategy this is to make sure that the players the future. For the project team, that there will be a ten-year horizon, me- a new foundation that will reflect are as well-prepared as possible for means digging deep into different pro- dium-term plans that look at the next the coming project results.” and tactics, the better the next game! Transparency also cesses and systems. “We’re addressing three years and provide more detail, plays an increasingly important role almost everything,” says Mahlstedt. and also a concrete plan for the year One Finance also shapes it can perform for companies. r. Dirk Mahlstedt, Project “Settlement models, reporting, plan- ahead. This is only drawn up once, in company culture One exciting tool is scoreboard Manager of One Finance, ning and the finance organization.” the second half of the year. Mahlstedt and his team have not e already know how management, a way of visualizing is a happy man. He’s been This system will not only be more lost sight of the employees and crucial it is for a foot- key company figures or the progress leading the restructuring Focus on the milk price consistent, as CFO Dr. Frank Claassen stakeholders in all the business ball team that every- made on a particular project. That Dand modernization of finance at the This may sound abstract but it will sees it. In the future, managers will units, even as they focus on pro- one on the pitch has helps employees or the team involved Group since Decem- have very real conse- also be assessed according to whether cesses, tools and figures. After all, theW same tactics in mind, rather than see the current score, and bear the ber 2019, following an “Our quences. One of the first or not they are meeting their short, it is the people in the company who every player pursuing their own goal. shared goals in mind! The tool can initiative by Finance big goals is establishing medium and longer term goals. have to help implement all these Effective communication is needed help support smaller goals, such as Board Member Dr. Frank project an ambitious target milk changes. One Finance is a driver to about targets, strategies and tactics making meetings more effective, or a Claassen. is an invest- price to meet farmers’ „Like a building site“ establish one single way of working, for this to work out. continuing project, The core 20-strong team ment like legitimate expectations “Our project is an investment not only in the finance division but Another key prereq- „Transparency until a company’s working under Dirk Mahl- any other real for a competitive price like any other real investment. It’s beyond, too. That’s why Change uisite is preparing to financial figures stedt, Claudia Parman, investment” for their milk. This just that we are not buying a ma- Management is also an important meet your rival and also plays an become wholly Werner Krieger, Frank target price is orient- chine or a building, but investing part of the project, to persuade that’s becoming in- increasingly transparent. Keßling and Florian ed towards what is in processes and systems,” says employees of the value of all these creasingly important. This approach Haberland are reorganizing process- known as the 11-point average that Mahlstedt. Planning began in au- innovations and to win acceptance One standard part of important requires managers es and steps to make the company’s key rivals pay farmers. Management tumn 2019 and the modernization for this new shared way of working, match preparation, as role for to place a lot of trust figures more meaningful and reliable. reporting now makes it easy to see of finance as a function is due to and anchor it in daily life. practiced by our man- in their employ- Where needed, they call in experts whether the Business Units are be complete at the end of 2021. In This is working well within the ager Florian Kohfeldt, companies.“ ees. If the process from other departments including meeting this target or where there 2020, the focus is on the four milk team already, as the crisis triggered is making sure there’s works, it offers major personnel, Global Business Services, are gaps that need to be closed. Business Units, extending to encom- by the coronavirus has shown. Just maximum transparency when it opportunities, because if everyone Production, Sales and of course IT. pass the Group as a whole in 2021. two months after the start of the comes to all the relevant informa- in a company is armed with plen- A vision for the future One Finance is building on the project, the team members had to tion. Collectively and individually, ty of knowledge and clarity about Part of the CFO’s Agenda For the first time, One Finance is results of previous projects that are start working remotely. Nonethe- the team is prepared to meet its next goals, challenges, problems and also Finance, like the rest of DMK, is introducing strategic financial plan- now being integrated into a single less, they kept working together ef- opponent. This includes analysis, per- successes, that can power employee working to become faster and more ning. In the future, the department coherent system. Right now, the fectively, says Mahlstedt. “The con- formance data and statistics from past motivation and company culture! In efficient, aiming to make the -fig will look further ahead, while needing finance division is in a transition ceptual work was tough at first, at games about the team we’re playing a game of football, after all, every ures that the department generates fewer resources. “Up until now, we year, amid all the changes associated least. Overall, though, I’m amazed against, concerning mileage (distance player can look at the scoreboard at more reliable and transparent to planned for the following year and with One Finance. “Ultimately, we’re at the results you can achieve while and sprints), the players’ strength in any point during the game to see the give management a sound basis for updated it,” says Mahlstedt. “Each like a building site: this year, we’re working virtually.” duels, passes completed, packing or state of play!

32 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 33 BRAND WORLD BRAND WORLD

A classic ...... gets digital.

For Uniekaas, the recipe for success is based on creativity and Uniekaas has stood craftsmanship, coupled with innovation. The company is pursuing Using digital ads to raise sales for pure, genuine new ideas amid the current crisis, too. “We started a communica- Uniekaas is also using the internet to gain shoppers’ inter- tions campaign in May, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, Keep in mind est, with ads developed specially for display advertising and Dutch Gouda for to further develop brand awareness,” says Corrien Bakker, Market- The campaign embraces a whole range of information sourc- social media. When shoppers with smart phones approach a more than 50 years. ing Manager DOC Dairy Partners/Uniekaas. “At the same time, we es to help shoppers bear Uniekaas in mind. On TV, Uniekaas store that sells the product, their phone displays the latest ad wanted to join shoppers on their journey to a purchasing decision, presents shows associated with the target group and ac- for the Uniekaas on sale there, a move that’s already having a People in Dutch and get to know them better.” Customers interact with a brand in companies them with advertisements. Outdoor advertising positive effect on sales and brand recognition. “For Uniekaas, households can’t several ways in the process of deciding what to buy. These aren’t runs on billboards that are close to supermarkets. “Lots of the past few weeks have been an interesting and attractive confined to direct interactions between the shopper and the com- companies canceled their ads due to the Covid-19 pandemic, time to communicate with customers, as during the pan- imagine life without pany – advertisements, TV ads, website – but also indirectly, when so we were able to hire these at a low cost and run a major demic, consumers are showing greater interest in credible it. Now, thanks to people ask someone else what they think of a brand, product or campaign. And these ads really caught shoppers’ attention, brands that they’re already familiar with,” she says. As the service. Such sources can include blogs, user forums, rating portals given that going to stores was people’s only real chance to Netherlands’ oldest cheese brand, Uniekaas has a distinct digital tools, the and more. Shoppers find out about products by using all of these go outside while the coronavirus restrictions were in place,” advantage there. “And the attractive price-performance ratio brand is gaining even sources of information that companies can’t influence directly. So says Bakker. gives shoppers a last nudge towards making a purchase.” for marketing and sales that focuses on customers, it’s crucial to more visibility gain a deeper understanding of the whole customer journey.

Special digital ads developed for social media are Corrien Bakker has been Marketing Manager attracting people’s interest. When shoppers Uniekaas / DOC Dairy Partners B.V. in Kaatsheuvel, approach somewhere selling Uniekaas, shoppers’ the Netherlands, since 2020. She was previously smart phones show ads for the product. Marketing Manager, DOC Dairy Partners for eight years.

July 2020 MILCHWELT 35 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

Business Units. Each day, we assess many, too. Knowledge and know-how products to exceed our customers’ SAFE GUARDING how far our activities make sense needs to be distributed across all areas expectations. We know how to get the This is where the corporate guidelines and strategies are for the best possible implementa- of the organization. Basically, our best out of our milk and we stand by developed that we work on. tion of our customer business. Vision 2030 applies in all of the coun- our sustainable responsibility. We are • All our departments’ expert knowl- tries that we work with. That’s impor- responsible for our dairy farmers, our edge is gathered under Skills, tant as it gives us a shared sense of employees and our consumers. We making this available centrally for what we are doing. This is particularly achieve the best possible milk price, all. Each day we ask whether an ac- important for a cooperative that’s cen- create a platform for our employ- SKILLS tivity requires specific expertise that tered around a sense of “us” between ees and produce good products. This is where the whole company’s knowledge and conceptional other units could benefit from too? farmers and employees. abilities are concentrated. SHAPE BRAND This is where our company’s six • Services is where all activities for OUR VALUES Business Units are located, each other departments are bundled Despite all the changes currently with its own independent BU head. OUR VISION: PRIVATE LABEL that often repeated, such as pay- We are the first choice for customers underway, our core values are un- INDUSTRY roll or accounting. These activities for dairy products of natural origins – shakeable. DMK stands for fairness, INTERNATIONAL ICE CREAMICE should be standardized and offered for always. Dairy products form the ba- innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. SERVICES Global Business Services (GBS) makes its centrally. What colleagues here ask sis of our product range. We offer the We want to live these values, together capabilities available to the whole group themselves daily is whether there best selection of dairy products and are with our 7,700 employees. We owe it as an internal service provider. are activities that could be standard- expanding into related food and drink to our farmers to reduce the cost of ized for the benefit of several units? segments. We want to be the leading administration, increase our efficiency competitor in select strategic markets. by pursuing synergies and aligning our Internationalization is not a one-way working processes around the world, INTO THE FUTURE street, though. OUR MISSION: even if these are carried out in diffe- Where there are good ideas in the For us, the customer comes first rent countries. Because without be- THE MAXIMA PROJECT Netherlands, or good ways of working, and we keep customizing our offering coming more international, we cannot we will of course adopt these in Ger- around that. We optimize our key be equal to the challenges of the future. Thinking and acting globally Masks The limits of globalization were exposed in the crisis unleashed by the coronavirus. On Course in Russia from Nonetheless, we are still working to become an international company Under the original plan, the first cheese formats, along with cheese for cooking specialty made by our new production and other specialties. DMK is now among China lobalization and being inter- most important is that there’s no loss The aim of all these processes is to site in Russia was due to hit the market the leading blue cheese producers in national are important for all of friction through working together become an organization that thinks at the end of the year. However, this is Russia with a 20% share of the market. A powerful sign export nations, although in with companies in other countries. It globally. The 4S model defines four proving unrealistic, given the restrictions Right now, we are expanding capa- of connec- the current crisis, their econ- makes no sense to duplicate work – clear areas of work for management in imposed to contain the spread of the city for this particular specialty tion! We were Gomies found that global connections that only costs money. DMK is current- order to avoid duplicating work and to coronavirus. But we are still on as demand currently outstrips delighted to can also be problematic. International ly engaged in a process of adjustment increase our flexibility, knowledge and target, and are on track for our production capabilities. unpack a very supply chains are more fragile than to achieve seamless collaboration. skill across all of the organization’s completion in the first half At Bobrov, up to 600 tons of special present at the end they appear. Outsourcing production The MAXIMA Project is running at units. Responsibilities are clearly al- of 2021. milk will be able to be pro- of March: 8,000 protective abroad does not make sense when full speed in the Netherlands, where located, enabling each organizational The distance between Bre- cessed on a daily basis, up face masks from China. borders close, flights are grounded all processes and structures are being unit to focus on its core activities: men and Bobrov is 2,500 from 20 tons a day. DMK has Together with colleagues and ships are stuck in ports. adapted to DMK management in • Safeguarding is where guidelines kilometers, a 25-hour invested a total of €18 to €20 in the Shanghai office, the Blue cheese is a hit What’s clear for our dairy, though, Germany. In the future, our colleagues are developed, at the Corporate car journey. There, our new million in production facilities Sage Group, our partner in Russia and this is is that DMK’s internationalization is at DOC, DDP, Uniekaas, DVN and Center, to apply to all areas of the production facility is mainly how it’s advertized and infrastructure at the Bo- there, and customers the still a key part of our strategy for the DP Supply will work in line with the business. This is where overall producing cheese in different there brov cheese factory so far. Yili Group, GuangDong future. We are mainly focused on our proven model used by their German strategies are created, governing Beric Food, Shanghai Pujia activities in the Netherlands, Russia colleagues. for example how capital is allo- Food Technology and Don- and our collaboration in China. For While in Germany, the 4S logic is cated throughout the company. gLi Youzhi collected masks DMK, exporting is an important main- now almost part of everyday life, these We assess how far our business to say thank you for the stay, but CEO Ingo Müller notes that, mechanisms are going to be explained activities fit with our company support. We were thrilled “regional bases in Russia or China with at Dutch locations and work will be or- strategy on a daily basis. and want to say a hearty local teams are more effective for us ganized according to this model. Our • Shaping applies to all thanks for this kind gesture than just exporting from Germany.” German SAP software is also to local, regional and global in such a difficult time. The Classic exports to these countries only be successively rolled out areas of the business that masks were put to good make sense if DMK is in the Netherlands. are implementing our strate- use by production workers dealing in major vol- gy in operational terms. This in Altentreptow, GMH and umes, he says. What is area includes all six of DMK’s Zeven.

36 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 37 COMPANY COMPANY

You recruit all staff, from dairy technologists to more flexibility, more teamwork and more knowledge about industrial clerks to marketing managers. employees’ everyday situations. “There’s no pressure What needs and ideas do they all have in common? They want the chance to work flexibly. They want a safe and Has the pandemic sped up the process of secure workplace, but they also want to be able to manage bal- trying out new models of work? when you come to work” ance their families and their career – that’s why often, they ask Definitely! We agreed on particular collaboration tools and are about flexible working times and sometimes about teleworking. much more practiced at running video meetings and coordinat- People ask very concrete questions, such as whether people can ing teams who are working remotely. take company laptops home, or which collaboration tools and More and more applicants want and need to systems DMK uses. Families are struggling with a double burden amid the pandemic. How can DMK support them? balance family and career, according to Nicole You’re a single mother with a 9-year-old There are several ways: our family service is a sort of hotline Schrötter, Senior Recruiting Manager. As a daughter, working full time. Is that hard to that employees who have children can call any time. If the nurs- manage on a day-to-day basis? ery’s closed, they can ask what to do with their child, and be single mother, that was one reason why The company gives me the freedom to work flexibly, other- referred to child care possibilities. Or they can ask how to keep she joined DMK wise it would be impossible. I do telework once a week, which their kids busy while they are working? Professional advisers means I can focus on preparing presentations or reports provide child care tips. That support goes further, for example while being with my daughter. Sometimes I go home and call if people are caring for family members, they can receive advice applicants for telephone interviews in the evening. They’re a on how to deal with illness or find outpatient services. lot more relaxed than if I had reached them all stressed out at midday. I go home if my daughter gets sick – no one gives What’s your experience of employees who are forced me any funny looks. There’s no pressure when you come to to try and balance their families and careers? work. DMK is trying out several models, and not every way of It’s interesting – many women worry that they won’t be attrac- LINK working suits every field of work. But this flexibility in think- tive to employers if they mention what they do as mothers. But ing is exactly what’s needed for modern work in times of glo- DMK does not choose people according to their gender or family More at: mein.familienservice.de/en/ balization when markets are volatile. More responsibility, or anything else like that. It’s the opposite, actually. Employees with families often have a much more structured approach to work. I can confirm that from my own experience. We’re able to How employees are developing get organized and have high expectations of ourselves. If busi- nesses allow such staff to work flexibly, then it’s almost never In the past In the future a case of “no I can’t sorry.” I’ve been working for DMK for two years. I didn’t have the option of such a dynamic way of work- ing at my previous employer. Even if I’d been an organizational Fixed working Flexible times working times genius, the working times there were so fixed that as a mother, I would have had to compromise and do a less demanding job at some point. I didn’t want that, that’s why I left. Office-based Working work from anywhere

Using office Using any equipment technology

Focused Focused on input on output

Climb the Create your corporate own career ladder ladder

Pre-defined Individual work work

Hoarding Sharing information information

Having Being your own boss no say Zur Person: Nicole Schrötter is DMK’s Senior Recruiting Manager, specializing on the Brand, International, Baby and Ice Cream business units. She focuses on university marketing and is deputy department head. Here, she’s joined by her 9-year-old daughter Mia.

38 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 39 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

“We have the High tech in Zuivelpark: shared duty to Every hour, 120,000 liters of whey flow into the bring the best of wheyco plant in the Hand in both worlds into Netherlands. the future organi- zation. That’s the only way we will Hand in succeed together” Martin Humfeldt , Managing Director Hoogeveen “The takeover enables us to keep expanding our whey business Wheyco has taken over DVN, entering into markets whole new dimensions. The two are where value growing together despite the coronavirus, is created“ Alexander Godow, and already have a real team feeling COO DMK Industry

he big moment came not long ago, when sacks bearing the wheyco logo Profiting from experience High-value production Daan van were filled with whey permeate in Hoogeveen, in the Netherlands, for There is already a real team feeling. “We have profited First, the whey is pasteurized at exactly 72 degrees, to Wilsum, Team Coordinator, the very first time. That was the first visible sign of the merger between from the power and extent of the DMK Group’s network ensure the proteins are not destroyed. It’s important that Processing wheyco and DV Nutrition, creating one of the world’s biggest producers more than once over the past few months, when we had to the whey is fresh and contains relatively little bacteria, how- Department, ofT whey derivatives. Employees from the two companies had already become one solve problems quickly,” says Draaisma. His colleague, hu- ever, because not all bacteria is destroyed at this relatively at work in Hoogeveen. single team. On January 1, the day of the full takeover of DVN, 69 new colleagues man resources officer Monique Compagner, adds, “Integrat- low temperature. The finest-quality ingredients are needed were integrated into the Industry Business Unit at the DMK Group. Just as in Al- ing DVN into wheyco opens up a lot of new possibilities for in order to produce a top-quality end product. Then, in tentreptow, WPC and permeate are produced there, too. The Hamburg sales office us. The knowledge and experience of both locations will a complicated separation process, a whey concentrate is handles customer contact. The DMK Group held shares in the DVN joint venture help us keep growing and enable us to be more successful.” extracted from the whey, which consists of 95.5% water. It is since 2004, together with Volac. At the start of the year, the company was merged It’s no surprise that employees are seen as the binding in- then processed further, while the water released during this as part of the group’s expansion into European and Asian growth markets within gredient throughout the whole business unit and the Dutch process flows back to DOC Kaas in pipes, to be used in the Vision 2030. “The full takeover of the joint venture is another step enabling us to location has also embraced this maxim since 2020. production of cheese. expand our whey business further into value-creating markets,” says Alexander Every hour, 120,000 liters of whey flow into the highly Whey Protein Concentrate WPC 80, one of the main prod- Godow, COO DMK Industry. modern dairy park “Zuivelpark” from the neighboring DOC ucts made in Hoogeveen, is produced in an instantized and Kaas plant, through pipes into the wheyco plant. The prox- non-instantized form. Instantized whey protein concentrate Mechanic Growing together as a team imity to cheese production is an important reason behind is mainly used to make sports and fitness drinks. Perme- Henk-Jan Nijmijer The takeover did not only suddenly double product volumes, it also brought wheyco’s high-quality end product, as the freshness and ate, Hoogeveen’s other main product, is mainly used by the and his benefits for employees working on site. “We don’t have to communicate across quality of the whey are decisive when it comes to producing bakery and confectionery industry, because the sweet and colleagues such a long distance now,” says Mirjam Vreugdenhil who works on the Hoo- whey derivatives. A small part of the whey is also supplied salty taste components deepen the flavor of many foods and keep the technology geveen customer service desk. “It’s great to get to know our new colleagues from from Alteveer and Edewecht, and is the product also gives baked goods an even golden- working so DMK.” Kerstin Aue, a wheyco marketing manager, can only return the compli- processed in Hoogeveen. “It’s been great to brown color. Large quantities of permeate are also that every- ment. “It’s been really good to get to know our colleagues in Hoogeveen better “We have the shared duty to bring used in animal feed. Many customers have adapted thing runs get to know our smoothly. and to grow together with them as a team.” The restrictions imposed due to the the best of both worlds into the future colleagues in their recipes specifically to Hoogeveen’s permeate as coronavirus pandemic, which also affected the location in Drenthe province, did organization,” says Managing Director Hoogeveen better they trust the product’s high quality level. This has not prove to be a hindrance. Of course, sometimes, things took a little bit longer Martin Humfeldt. “That’s the only way and to grow been a benefit to the whole of the DMK Group since to coordinate with the new group, says IT project manager Pim Draaisma. “Most we will succeed together.” together with January. of us here in Hoogeveen haven’t worked with an organization as large as the DMK Group before.” In software terms, there is still work to be done before both sides them as a team“ are completely synchronized, he said. Kerstin Aue, Marketing Manager DVN is now wheyco: the new brand has been printed on sacks of whey permeate since April. Most of the fresh whey comes from a DOC Kaas plant located right next door.

40 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 41 PROJECTS PROJECTS

We use resources responsibly, from the money of our owners Our employees are the true to the time of our employees experts at DMK. Their ideas The health of our employees is to the raw materials provided are the foundation of our a critical part of our success as a by our farmers. Within our cost company and guide our way business. We are continuously management, every single one to future success. We are improving our working environ- of us is hungry to ensure that building a culture of personal ment and actively support occu- resources are used wisely for all. responsibility that is shaped pational safety at DMK. We can by appreciation. Everyone only succeed if we work safely. enjoys what they do.

Cost management

Safety Motivation at work continuous improvement Getting a handle on costs Understanding Within cost safety management, Yeah! – It is up to us at DMK to fill Vision 2030 with life and to make it become reality. A secure and protecting resources We have fun Within ourselves, we already have everything we need in order to do so. Our safe workplace shapes what we do and enjoy success is based on everyone being prepared to continually improve their work. is our goal what we do Imagine us like a tiger: powerful, agile and hungry to achieve our goals. Continuous Improvement (or “TIGER”) is not a program with a clearly-defined Vision 2030 will ensure beginning or end. As the name suggests, it will constantly accompany us in our DMK succeeds in the work towards 2030. We will see the TIGER in many places in the future in order to help keep us motivated to think outside the box, improve processes and show each future. And in order for other our appreciation for what we are doing. The best example of this is right here it to become reality, in your hands: this MILCHWELT shows the many ways in which DMK is succeeding High End – Nature Right – despite the coronavirus, thanks to the efforts of our employees. Despite difficult We deliver the Sustainability and We are now planning every single person circumstances, we have managed to do our best for our customers, farmers and best quality environmental perfect value chains at DMK needs to be ourselves. “With our team spirit and our knowledge, we have proved what we are protection are capable of,” says Matthias Schrader, who leads the Continuous Improvement pro- important to us prepared to improve a gram. “We need to maintain this appetite. Stay hungry!” little bit every day. In order to strengthen this spirit and hold onto this sense of optimism for the future, we have identified six areas that we want to continually and steadily im- Quality Thep com any is now prove. Because just being good is no longer good enough for us. Environment Value committed to very and energy chain clear values

Our top priority is food We are responsible in our use Planning ahead is the key safety and the quality of our of natural resources and are to customer satisfaction products. This is the right reducing our emissions. We and for creating value in and only way we can fulfill are steadily improving DMK’s the use of our raw mate- our customers’ wishes. Every environmental performance rials. That means we need one of us plays a role in this and energy efficiency. Nature employees to coordinate at and takes responsibility in is close to our hearts. every stage from the initial their area of work. Togeth- customer query right up er, we stand for high-end to the final delivery. At all products. times, we stand ready to do so, throughout the whole company.

42 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 43 DIGITALISATION DIGITALISATION Why we Welcome to Our digital trade fair A scene from DMK’s award-winning need 5G on stand recreates the film that won a Golden Victoria real thing. (below, right) every milk our digital trade churn

The German government plans to invest fair stand five billion euros to expand digital infra- structure. Part of that means providing high-speed internet (5G) in rural regions. All events involving the public are canceled until Research Minister Anja Karliczek said a few months ago, “We don’t need 5G on autumn, but there are other ways to present new every single milk churn.” However, 50% products and innovations of Germany’s economic output takes place in rural areas. We’ve learned a new way of working in menu based on porridge, for example, Is digitization really helpful? this crisis, taking a decentralized ap- and presents it at our digital trade fair Expanding 5G will help enable the proach and using digital tools and com- stand in a video. Users can then click to broad adoption of precision farming munication systems. Suddenly, confer- download the recipe as a PDF. He also and application of artificial intelligence ences are taking place using Zoom and provides information about the world’s on fields. Both are extremely important teachers are organizing WhatsApp groups best sour cream. And there’s more to for fertilizer to be applied exactly, in to communicate with school students. discover about a new innovative base order to protect resources and ensure Some things, however, require a great for milkshakes so that they can be made International corporate film festival each plant receives the amount of nu- deal of imagination if they are to work without ice cream. Information is avail- trition it needs. Robotic milking helped out without personal interaction, and able about the new Gourmet Stations farmers greatly in the 1990s, freeing trade fairs are among them. Trade fairs too, where people can assemble their A “Golden Victoria” them up as fixed milking times became rely on people coming into contact with own individual snacks without needing a thing of the past. each other and with products. Buyers are staff on hand to help. Guests – well, users for the DMK Group What does the future look like? out looking around for new ideas and – choose from a range of basic desserts, A photograph taken before the Sensor technology will be used to want to touch, taste and try out things. adding fruit, compote and other toppings coronavirus. DMK’s stand was a place We work together to adjust to and am proud that the efforts of identify cows that are unwell through How can that work in the digital world? to create their own personal dream des- where people met and interacted. consumers’ wishes every day, and part my communications team and our the sound of their footsteps, for It does work, even if it’s less immediate sert. Our trend app, also presented at of that means listening to what employ- partners at deepblue networks and example. It is important that farmers than at trade fairs and involves a few the virtual stand, allows anyone who’s what can be done in the kitchen. So for ees say – after all, nowadays, everyone’s Brickbeach as film producer have been identify such illnesses early on and additional steps. MILRAM Food Service interested to join our community just by now, rather than planning for packed an influencer! That’s why we used “real” rewarded with this great prize.” sensors can perform better than the developed a digital trade fair stand registering. That way, no one needs to trade fair halls, people are thinking up actors in DMK’s film about motivation human eye, by recording the sound of that proves that good ideas always miss out on any of the latest trends in the virtual events as companies seek to show and challenges, with employees, cus- “We are delighted to have won the hooves, which is then checked by an find a way. It provides an overview of catering world. The app can be down- their skills in the digital world. If you’re tomers and other people involved in our gold award. The jury paid tribute to a algorithm for irregularities. Another innovations and users click in order to loaded for iPhones from the Apple App asking us, we think creative ideas are the work all featuring on the screen. film project that we have put a great company uses ultrasound for this. Any move through the stand’s different Store or from the Google Playstore for best recipe for dealing with the crisis. deal of love into, together with the animal showing indications of illness is areas. Our star chef and brand ambassa- androids. Our brochures present all our milram-food-service.de/ aktuelles/ The film won a “Golden Victoria” award DMK Group,” says Oliver Drost, Chief automatically brought to a stall where dor Heiko Antoniewicz created an entire products and offer creative ideas about digitaler-messe-stand.html at an international festival, the world’s Creative Officer at deepblue networks. its hooves are washed and treated. oldest festival for business films in the It is not yet clear when such systems German language. DMK’s “Hallo 2030” This year, 350 films were submitted can be used in practice, but these and Mr. Bischoff, how has the Sascha Bischoff portrays the journey of the Watchbox to the festival across 26 categories. similar digital systems will be part of Senior Fairs & Events Manager. as it visited 20 DMK locations, and it The festival, held every two years the future. Rapid data transmission and pandemic affected trade fairs? took a gold in the event films section. in Vienna, showcases films from processing are a prerequisite for these “We’re experiencing a situation that But this is forcing people to find new, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, developments and many others. we have never seen before in the digital solutions and these offer op- “We presented Vision 2030 through Switzerland, South Tyrol and Lux- Dear Ms. Karliczek, we definitely – events business, and our business portunities too, such as doing more to a range of internal communications embourg and is known in German urgently – need 5G on each partners and service providers are develop virtual trade fairs. In the future channels – involving and preparing as the Internationale Wirtschafts- and every milk churn. facing extreme challenges. Almost all I think these will be an extension of managers – but it was also about filmtage. Of all the films sent in, trade fairs have been canceled since regular trade fairs, providing some- getting the whole workforce excited 28 won gold prizes, including DMK’s. the beginning of March and it is not thing in addition on top, rather than an about the strategy. The dairy sector likely to get any easier this year. But either-or situation. I’m sure that in the cannot close itself off to the funda- Sonova, Audi, Duracell, Drägerwerk, trade fairs were and remain an im- time after the coronavirus, we’ll see mental changes that are sweeping Frauenhofer, VW, Lamborghini, ZDF and portant way of communicating with trade fairs packed full of people again, through society,” says Oliver Bartelt, Daimler were among the other win- people, particularly for the personal and we’re planning full speed ahead Global Head of Corporate Commu- ners of gold and silver awards. contacts and the chance to meet face for 2021. We’ve got lots of ideas on the nications at the DMK Group. “I am You can see the film here: to face. That isn’t happening at the go and are feeling positive as we look very pleased about this recognition www.dmk.de/wer-wir-sind/dmk-2030/ moment. ahead at next year’s trade fairs.”

44 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 45 BRAND WORLD BRAND WORLD

Osterland MILRAM new products DMK Ice Cream Yummy Innovations that from the home of freshness Staying cool pudding are going down well in the summer Osterland red fruit pud- ding is a well-loved dessert many recall from their childhoods and still enjoy Hitting the spot – MILRAM keeps reinventing itself and Changes are underway at DMK, today. Retailers have been where production of the refreshing selling the berry-packed winning new fans among shoppers treat in 1-kilo packages treats is being optimized since March, along with the vanilla dessert sauce At the start of the year, DMK sold the amount of ice cream as we were that goes so well with it, Waldfeucht-Haaren ice cream produc- doing before in two locations. in a 500-ml package. The tion site (Heinsberg, in North Rhine Osterland brand originated Westphalia) to the Schwarz Group How much did that cost? in eastern Germany. Now, (Lidl). Pending approval by the regula- We plan to spend around 24 million the raspberry taste seems tory authorities, the transition is due euros on this investment in our future, to be winning friends in to be completed at the start of 2021, and we won‘t spend a cent more. We‘re western Germany too. The and includes the new owner taking investing a small amount of the money product was initially sold on 200 employees. We asked Marcus- we made by selling the Waldfeucht-Haa- nationwide as a promotion MILRAM Northern Light, available starting in October, joins other varieties of MILRAM Dominic Hauck, COO Ice Cream, about ren location. but the 500 packages of Cheese, Skyr & Smoothies will hit the shelves in September for fitness fans and a new how the optimization each were often sold out in recipe for MILRAM Tzatziki will deliver even more flavor, also available from September. of DMK‘s production How does Everswinkel increased sales of MILRAM buttermilk a week. “So far, the success network is going. “We want see the restructuring? ice cream (850 ml) by 200% in 2019. of the product shows how The innovation explosion started in April as of September. Without added sugar We are one of the biggest Our SKYR ice cream on a stick showed popular red fruit pudding with Kalder Kaffee. Available as “un- or additives, but packed with protein, What exactly to fill employers around here an increase of 23% despite major pri- believably strong” or “with oats,” this Skyr & Smoothie is a healthy snack that is happening 30 new and we get a lot of support vate label competition. Market research cheeky newcomer has made its mark on tastes delicious. Meanwhile, MILRAM right now in from the Warendorf dis- shows the combination of plenty of pro- the scene. Then, in July, Skyr, Buttermilk Tzatziki will taste even more exciting as Everswinkel? posts” trict and the mayor. At the tein, low fat and sugar meets custo- quark and cottage cheese made a hit of September, aiming to delight custom- We are renovating an same time, we give con- mers‘ clear desire for variety and healthy with a new design showing them off ers by delivering a stronger garlic flavor, older building, with tracts to local companies eating. Also, the trend is moving towards as a family of protein-packed products fresh yoghurt and crunchy cucumber. The all the problems that entails, and we are when we can, and that goes down well. smaller packages. to excite young people about healthy finale is in the cheese section, with tasty right on time for our schedule. Despite eating. The new protein-rich Skyr cheese MILRAM Northern Light that is ever so the coronavirus and many other dif- Will any new jobs be created? How has the coronavirus crisis bites and Skyr cheese minis will round off slightly sweet, while MILRAM Caraway ficulties, employees are showing a huge We want to fill 30 new posts and have affected your business? this range in September. Skyr & Smooth- comes with whole caraway seeds. Both level of commitment and daily produc- already won over electricians and fitters It‘s had a positive effect on retail at cer- Osterland red fruit ie shows that healthy eating does not will bring a whole new realm of flavor tion is running smoothly. The floors from the milk production. tain points in time, also in combina- pudding and the mean doing without – also available to cheese sections starting in October. and walls were taken out, new founda- tion with the good weather, so that helps perfect dessert sauce tions were laid and the tilers are at work How will the sale of the Haaren us. Customers ate ice cream at home. It to match – now available in bumper packaging that’s right now. We started using the machi- location affect the Prenzlau site? looks like a normal business year for us, going down a treat with nes that were there in March and now, Prenzlau isn‘t affected by the sale and if the weather stays good. a large and a small ice lolly machine, expansion of production at Everswinkel, shoppers. Lighthouse prize for Edewecht two of the most modern in Europe, are it will keep the portfolio it has already, is among consumers and being set up and we put the new sand- namely ice lollies and mix boxes. retail partners in the east,” Praise for savers wich line in the former milk area. The says Hanna Sumbel, Senior Plenty of people are talking about first few employees are being trained Are you planning to cooperate Brand Manager Brand Re- and if things continue like this, the test with other companies too? tail. Sales of the classic des- environmental policy – but DMK is taking phase will follow. That means we‘ll be We worked with MILRAM and Bai- sert were accompanied by action. The sustainability strategy is s bearing fruit able to start producing ice cream on leys in 2018, proving that we can suc- a radio advertisement from sticks, in tubs and in cones as of January. cessfully transfer established brands May 18 through to June 6, International Environment Day was on June included one of DMK’s projects, naming it in other segments into the ice cream which also proved effective. 5, but in most places, it was more an occa- alongside various industry heavyweights. What kind of numbers category. That makes us interes- “The products were sold out sion for reflection than celebration. There The Edewecht site introduced a range of are we looking at? ting for partners. Where we see ways within days. We’re also hap- was a hint of pride, though, at DMK after measures to increase energy efficiency at We‘re increasing production capa- to create value, we will enter talks. py that they created value the German Energy Agency (dena) named one of the larger dairies, including the reor- city in Everswinkel from 65 million that will benefit our farm- 13 lighthouse projects in industry that are ganization and optimization of all thermal liters of ice cream to 100 million liters, How are sales figures developing? ers,” adds Hanna Sumbel. working to reduce carbon emissions. They processes. meaning we‘ll be producing the same Very well! For family packs alone, we Marcus-Dominic Hauck, COO Ice Cream

46 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 47 BRAND WORLD BRAND WORLD

Humana, Alete, Milasan Placing trust in the brand Alete also has big plans. In September, a re- More than 200 years of launch is planned under the motto “Alete, aware,” showing Alete has arrived and is now part of the DMK family. More than 60 tradition joined together Taking new paths articles and seven new products are to hit “Our focus is clearly on digital natives – the store shelves, fresh following a redesign and under a single roof new mothers and fathers of generation Z,” says with optimized recipes. “We are meeting Iris Behrens. Those born after 1995 are seen parents’ desire to give their children healthy as educated, informed, focused on the digital food,” says Christoph Esch, General Manager, world and drawn to credible, unique brands. Humana Sales. Decades of knowledge about Humana continues to build trust, through nutrition and a high degree of credibility Humana, Alete and Milasan stand for quality, trust messaging components such as “trust your support this approach. and healthy eating. DMK is turning the traditional inner feelings,” “we stand by you“ and “allow This is partly why the focus is now on ingre- space for natural growth”. The new path also dients. Almost 80 % of the products have brands into a powerful trio reflects the introduction of the new innova- no added sugar or a lower sugar content, tive product line „Humana and the aim is to further TM The sun – the ProBalance “ with HMO “We are reduce sugar in evening unmistakable for formula and follow-on food, dry- and milk por- design element milk. For babies, there is consciously ridge and cookies. “All Al- in the Humana nothing better than breast ete jar products are organ- brand. milk but sometimes, breast pursuing ic quality and there is no The Humana, Alete and Milasan brands, now united under DMK, have been taking the feeding is impossible, for a palm oil in the portfolio.” Alete aware – best possible care of babies’ and toddlers’ health for decades. Alete has been dedicated to range of reasons. The new the trend youngsters’ well being for more than 85 years, Humana for the past 65 years and Milasan Naturally good generation of Humana for- Stay agile for us. Supports for more than 50 years. Bundled together, that’s more than 200 years of knowledge and mula is enriched with hu- towards Alete is making healthy experience trusted by parents, paediatricians and midwives worldwide. In the highly healthy eating and man milk oligosaccharides nutrition into child’s meets parents’ desire competitive baby and infant nutrition segment, that trust is invaluable. healthy (HMO). Alongside lactose play – a fact underlined for natural products. and fat, HMOs are one of on packaging layouts too. Recognizing needs eating” the major components Information about ingre- The DMK strategy – to significantly expand the baby food business by 2030 – seems of breast milk and have been shown to be dients is structured clearly like the logical next step. “Strong brands with a clear and distinct message offering highly important for babies’ health. This milk and tips on healthy eating are provided. “Al- added value for parents: That’s our goal, along with being online where the young par- innovation will be accompanied by a 360° ete aware” is becoming a modern brand for ents are,” says Iris Behrens, Head of Global Marketing DMK Baby. That requires a clear communication campaign online, where the child nutrition that helps shape children’s brand architecture, to best present the range and exploit DMK’s market advantage: target group can be found. The campaign’s tastes for healthy, low-sugar food. It makes There’s Humana with a focus on baby formula and food supplements, while Alete message is “Humana – exactly what we need.” absolute sense for Alete to round off the offers supplementary food and snacks for young children The new Humana baby milk in our safe and Humana range. up to kindergarten age. In the future, the brands will practical myHumanaPack. Everything for a accompany children from birth until the age of good start and #confidentmoms . The new three and far beyond. For DMK, this range of brands Humana baby milk is available in safe and provides an enormous competitive advantage. A practical packaging, myHumanaPack. All poll was carried out of 6,500 mothers, around 700 that’s needed for a good start and #confi- The new website and doctors and midwives in seven countries around the dentmoms. The launch will be accompanied presence in social media. world, and used as the basis for repositioning Huma- by a new advertising presence, with a fresh na, a well-known international brand. The poll showed design for the Humana website. It now has a highly emotional view of Humana. The logo and the large pictures and lots of white space, stand- claim “Humana – for mommy and me” underlines the ing for purity, quality, fun and transparency. needs of babies and mothers, providing relief and trust. Users are not seen as passive but are encour- The new brand message is “Humana – exactly what we need!” aged to interact through a broad social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram that calls on young mothers to share their experi- ences with others in user-generated content – authentic, transparent and close to mothers and fathers. #confidentmoms

The labels list the ingredients and The new Humana PROBALANCETM also provide food preparation tips. with HMO – the innovation of the year 2020.

48 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 49 BRAND WORLD BRAND WORLD

SOCIAL MEDIA

Nobody can escape those eyes: The Bremerland This cow cow gazes down on passengers as they pass “Great to see through Bremen’s main you back! I want train station. The cow’s has won greeting in the advert, the yoghurt “Moin Bremen,” is a again too. It was friendly northern German the best, I hav- way of saying hello that over all of has gone down a treat. en’t found an Ingo Müller, CEO of the alternative DMK Group: “Right from since.” the start, retailers and - Bremen shoppers were delighted with this great region al project. Now, our Bremen’s buses “genuine fresh milk from will advertise ”We are Bremen” is available at Bremen caught its first glimpse of Bremerland for almost every shop in the delighted that five months. Bremerland, and a cow wearing whole city.” good old Bremerland sunglasses, in March. The product milk is back has been winning more and more again. It tastes fans ever since sooooo yummy!” “Moin Bremen,” a friendly northern German way of saying hello, greets travelers passing through Bremen’s train sta- “We want to tion, courtesy of the Bremerland cow. Large advertisements support you, throughout the city echo that greeting and it has embla- so we only buy zoned buses since June too. “This is my home,“ says the cow your milk.” of Bremen’s farms where the milk comes from. Fresh and local with barely any food miles, the people of Bremen are delighted with Bremerland and have welcomed the milk and the cow into their hearts. True love never dies!

“Wonderful that this childhood brand is back! If the gold yoghurt comes back too, it would be

perfect.” How farms are advertising ssssBremerland.

”My son loves the adverts with Proud: Guido Claessens, the cow wearing sunglasses. Director Finance, stuck a Fresh Every morning we drove past a sticker of the cow on his car. Bremerland poster on the way to his creche, milk directly but unfortunately the ad isn’t from farmers A fan shop was set is definitely The success of there anymore. Might you have up on bremerland.de worth a stop. the Bremerland relaunch was a copy of the poster that I could Posters, banners thanks to high demand. a big hit in the buy to hang up in his room?” and city lights are media, too. spreading the Bremerland message. 50 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 51 NEWS FROM THE REGIONS BRAND WORLD

Boil the fresh milk briefly in order to kill off any “bad“ bacte- More efficient, Ingredients ria, then let it cool to 1the optimal temperature for fermentation* – 40-45°C – reliable and and stir occasionally. · · 100 g DMK Joghurt (similar fat content to milk) central ·· 1 liter of fresh DMK milk (the higher the fat content, the creamier it will be) ·· 1 – 2 tablespoons of milk powder (optional) Now carefully mix your milk ·· Also: 1 container with a lid together with (a bowl or jar or thermos flask), DMK has set up a centralized plant procurement 1 cooking pot, 1 thermometer the yoghurt you 2bought, in order to use department, standardizing purchasing processes (measuring range: 40 – 45°C), Oven (or a thick blanket) its cultures. If you want across the board your yoghurt to be firmer, add 1 – 2 tablespoons of couple of weeks ago, there During this period, Sabine Schmidt milk powder. were still some serious started out as a clerk in Procurement Bernd von Borstel, doubts, but now, most peo- Service, then became a team leader Now, put the mixture Director Operations ple are happy and everything and now manages seven employees. into a container and i s clear.A DMK has largely introduced a “We visit the plants regularly and hold close it. In order for centralized plant-procurement scheme, video conferences twice a year with Do it yourself the fermentation enabling secure, transparent, flexible plant managers, along with video con- 3process to work, it needs to and efficient purchasing for all plants ferences with the centralized procure- be kept warm for at least ten across the DMK Group. ment managers and their stakeholders hours. You can keep it in the Project manager Gerald Knoke of Global two to three times annually,” she says. Firm and oven at 50°C for 30 minutes, Business Service has worked on this for The transition is already bearing fruit. then turn it off and leave it the past two years, together with a team “The figures show a significant -im to rest. One important tip: of 22 employees. “We had to do a lot of provement. Of 18,000 orders in 2019, creamy don’t move it! persuading, because we created stand- we only had to put in 44 emergency ardized processes stating how purchas- orders for the plants.” ing should work for each plant,” says Sabine Schmidt and her team are yoghurt Bernd von Borstel, Director Operations still optimizing the process. In 2019, BU Industry in Bremen. 8.5 % of orders were entered after the It is not surprising that at first, people fact. They are also negotiating larger The longer you Sabine Schmidt, were skeptical. Michael Schawe, plant purchasing quantities and preparing leave your mixture Team Leader Procurement Services manager at Georgsmarienhütte, says, to roll the system out at all other DMK It’s bright, sunny and there’s a real in a warm place, the “We were worried that everything Group locations in Germany and the summer feeling. What better dairy more acidic it will would take a long time to be processed Netherlands. “DMK is expecting to save get,4 so when it’s almost ready, and that there would be complicated up to one million euros a year with this product could you make than a put the yoghurt in the refrig- procedures and lengthy purchase requi- optimization,” she says. delicious refreshing yoghurt? erator for a few hours to stop sition systems.” Cindy Ordowski’s initial worries about the acidification process. These doubts were echoed by Cindy lengthy approval processes for orders It only takes four easy steps Ordowski, Head of Plant Administration, are now a thing of the past. She would Altentreptow, who assumed approvals like to see more communication, for purchases would take a long time. though, and more detailed knowledge The responsibility for plant purchasing on the part of the purchasers. There is has become gradually more central- greater potential ahead, which makes ized since 2017, first in Nordhackstedt, Bernd von Borstel feel optimistic as he Fermentation temperature: 5 The yoghurt’s bacterial then in Edewecht, Waren, Dargun, considers the future. “We’ve already culture thrives at this Enjoy! Altentreptow, Euro Cheese and wheyco, taken a big step in the right direction. temperature, so it can Stir until it’s creamy reproduce, fermenting Bergen, Hohenwestedt, Everswinkel & We can achieve further potential, and the milk to yoghurt. and then add oats or Cindy Ordowski, Ice Cream, Neubörger, Erfurt, Holdorf, better analyze any weaknesses using fruit or anything Head of Plant Adminstration Georgsmarienhütte and Zeven. the improved database.” you like!

52 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 53 AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE Concrete measures to improve biodiversity: Biodiversity – • Legumes in grassland • Undersowing maize • Creating or keeping buffer strips an Opportunity • Laying flower strips • GMO-free feed for Farmers

DMK and the Bodensee-Stiftung have successfully

completed a pilot project involving ten operations BIODIVERSITY AS AN OPPORTUNITY The project suggested there was room for improvement in particular in the field of biodiversity. Only one of the farms is growing legumes at present. These are among the most iodiversity affects all living organisms in their many habitats, in soil, water and on land. species-rich plant families there are, and are able to “fix” This biodiversity ensures that nature continues to deliver its vital ecosystem services. A nitrogen from the air, making it available to plant roots. That DMK pilot project identified positive and negative areas that show great potential for milk reduces the need for mineral nitrogen and carbon emissions. production. It is clear that farmers already do a great deal to support biodiversity in their Based on the survey, the Foundation recommended under- Boperations, day in, day out. sowing, saying the overall aim is to create habitats for fauna Biodiversity is not a one-way street, however, but an opportunity for farmers to try out new ap- and flora – including endangered species – thus strengthening proaches and explore new aspects of biodiversity. Even small, targeted measures play a key part biodiversity. in the bigger picture. To explore this in more detail, DMK asked the Bodensee-Stiftung, a private nature conservation organization that focuses on agriculture and climate protection, to visit ten pi- MEASURES FOR DAIRY FARMS lot operations and assess their current level of biodiversity using the Biodiversity Performance Tool Alongside steps already taken, working with the Boden- (BPT). The Foundation created the BPT to establish an overall picture of an operation’s strengths see-Stiftung showed effective steps that can contribute to and weaknesses using 78 indicators. making sustained improvement to biodiversity. One option Each indicator is evaluated with a traffic-light system, using five questions. If the indicator is red, the could be leaving wet zones or field points (wedges) or water operation has some shortcomings in this particular area, while green shows a positive influence on edges unused as these can provide important retreat areas biodiversity. The assessment can help farmers to identify which measures they could take in order for small game, birds and insects. And in larger areas, field to further improve biodiversity. margins or points can be left unused. Laying out perennial flower strips is also another option as they can be used to subdivide areas, and offer the additional benefit of providing a habitat and food source for insects and wildlife. Greater use can also be made of legumes in areas of grassland, according to the foundation. Clover, for example, is a valuable source of protein, benefits soil structure and also fixes nitrogen, while ADVANTAGE OF GMO-FREE FEED maintaining grassland is more demanding. Undersowing The operations all achieved good results for GMO-free is also another way to contribute to climate protection and dairy production. GMO-free feeding not only reduces the biodiversity while supporting planting. Undersowing maize pressure on the rainforests and other ecosystems, but also improves soil structure and prevents erosion, for example, supports regional feed production. Currently, more than which can help during drought periods and feed shortages. half of DMK’s farmers are taking part in the “no genetic All the additional efforts provide a series of advantages. engineering” program. The Bodensee-Stiftung also gave a positive rating for the sowing of catch crops. These LOOKING AHEAD INTO THE FUTURE provide organic substance for the soil in periods where no The pilot study showed that established measures are con- vegetation is growing, and help protect the environment, tributing to biodiversity but it also highlighted areas of agri- soil and water by preventing soil erosion and loss of nu- cultural production where there is room for improvement. trients. Farms also won positive marks for their traceable However, each farm has its own individual possibilities that operational processes, including their detailed documen- will shape which measures are most appropriate. tation of fertilizer and plant protection measures. In the future, the focus will be on recognizing unused poten- Undersowing maize The storage and handling of dangerous goods was tial and formulating shared goals for agriculture and biodi- helps biodiversity. classified as “good.” versity to use synergies most effectively.

54 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 55 SERVICE SERVICE

Your contact to In the media Milk on Social Media the editors

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For more details check out our Brand Guidelines. Your contact for all From regional newspapers to international magazines, the media MILCHWELT-related topics often reports about DMK. In the past few weeks, the focus was on the crisis unleashed by the coronavirus and its effect on the Users discuss dairy industry and the DMK Group’s future projects milk on social media platforms Ostseezeitung, #erdbeerkuchen 12 May 2020, #milram, 22 May Rike Frieling-Huchzermey- er has 850 dairy cows on #erdbeeren #mousse, 13 May her farm in Barth on the LinkedIn-Post OLIVER BARTELT Baltic coast. From igloos TWITTER DMK, 22 May to tons of feed, this article Global Head of www.twitter.com/DMK_Milch provided exciting insights Corporate Communications into her daily life. + 49 421 243 – 2310 [email protected] Join the conversation!

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For more details check out our Brand Guidelines. Tagesspiegel, 24 April 2020 Alongside pasta and toilet paper, sales of dairy products facebook #nicecreamrezept, such as yoghurt and quark LINKEDIN 21 May also surged at the start of www.linkedin.com/organization-guest/ #joghurtmitmüsli vom 17 May the coronavirus outbreak. company/dmkgroup Manufacturers need consid- KATRIN POPPE eration and support, too. Internal Communications Manager + 49 421 243 – 2143 Nordkurier, Spiegel Online, 08 May 2020 [email protected] 28 May 2020, The milk price is of vital Join the twitter After the suggestion that importance to farmers conversation! #milch, 22 May Humana products were and aggressive retail adver- DMK DEUTSCHES among those contam- tising is creating a da inated with mineral MILCHKONTOR GMBH ngerous climate. Flughafenallee 17, oil, DMK responded 28199 Bremen, Germany rapidly with a detailed statement and quickly Regional Managers of the Cooperative resolved the problem. Service for Employees The regional managers are the principle points of contact for all the concerns of milk suppliers and shareholders of our company Hotline for employee issues, such as pension scheme, HELMUT ENEWALDSEN JENS RUGE CLEMENS NIEDERWESTBERG parental leave, labor contracts Schleswig-Holstein Mecklenburg-Vorpommern / Weser-Ems Brandenburg +49 5401 / 854-59132 FIRST LEVEL SUPPORT +49 4639 / 9506-52320 +49 3991 / 154-41211 Monday to Thursday, 8am–4pm [email protected] clemens.niederwestberg [email protected] Friday, 8am to 2pm @dmk.de + 49 428172 – 57100 [email protected]

DETLEV BOSSE KERSTIN GRABARSE JULIA RIDDER Elbe-Weser Thüringen / Nordrhein-Westfalen / MILCHWELT INTERNATIONAL Sachsen-Anhalt / Süd-Niedersachsen +49 4480 / 81-64160 Alongside English, MILCHWELT Hessen [email protected] +49 5401 / 854 59180 Magazine is of course avail- Lebensmittelzeitung, LZ Rheinland, Top Agrar, 28 April +49 361 / 5977-16285 [email protected] able in the original German 30 April 2020 27 May 2020 An interview with Dr. Klaus [email protected] language and now in Dutch, DMK communications boss In order to remain com- Hein, DMK’s Agricultural too. You can find all the edi- Director. He explains the Oliver Bartelt describes the petitive after the crisis, Imprint tions available for download demands food has to fulfill if the dairy industry needs fixed price model for farm- Masthead Publisher: DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH, Industriestraße 27, 27404 Zeven Responsible for this magazine: Oliver Bartelt Redaktion: Katrin Poppe, as PDFs at to speak with a united ers – and how the coronavi- Birgit Lüdemann (DMK Group); Andin Tegen, Anne Huning, Simon Pausch Texts: Volker Siegert (WMP Eurocom) Assistant: Anika Gaudian Editor: Dr. Agnes Przewozny it is to succeed in 2020. (Grünes Lektorat) Art Direction: Regina Bense Graphics: Anita Ackermann, Annette Kociemski, Irene Wilhelm Illustration: Regina Bense Photos: Matthias Hornung, www.milchwelt.de voice. But how? rus is affecting the project. Johanna Ritter, Ralf Maier, Christian Mathiesen, Dominik Sommerfeldt, Sebastian Vollmert (DMK Group), Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, unsplash.com

56 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 57 PUZZLE Labyrinth RECIPE Ingredients for 4 people Find your way through the maze and collect the Congratulations 2 large cauliflowers Keep your eye on letters as you go. If you find the right path, they to the winners 4 large sweet potatoes these prizes: will be in the right order to spell out the solution. of our last contest: 2 red peppers 400 g (it’s a German word) ff MILRAM FrühlingsQuark UNIEKAAS 1 bunch of thyme Bicycle 2 bunches of flat-leaf parsley 3 x MILRAM Deckchairs:

It’s 1 bunch of spring onions Luisa Lösekann Ovelgönne 2 limes 1 x Bärbel Möller Siedenbrünzow Ehepaar Ehmann Geestland 1 chili hot stu 2 cloves of garlic 10 x MILRAM Beach towels: 150100 ml olive oil LANDMANN Margrit Schellstede Ovelgönne – BBQ Ewald Möller jun. Wischhafen Salt Tobias Meyer Erfurt Pepper Daniel Brase Seckenhausen Detlef Rook Zeven Preparation time: 20 minutes 1 x START Heiko Wellbrock Edewecht Stefan Grapentin Prenzlau Lars Grueber Edewecht MILRAM Burghard Moennig Welver Stunt Kite Yassine El Idrissi Edewecht 10 x Bag Vouchers: v Kim Bohmann Ovelgönne 10 x Dennis Neubert Erfurt Mareike Langerenken Wiefelstede MILRAM Andrea Kropp Waghäusel MILRAM Sabrina Kabutke Hoogeveen Cool Bag Matthias Brüntjen Edewecht Send in your answer: Sven Mahnken Zeven Grilled By email to: [email protected], Joerg Eichler Bremen 10 x Sylvia Kleibaumhüter Rietberg with “Contest” in the title, Isaam Bakrou Edewecht or by post to: 10 x T-Shirt Voucher: Vegetable Steaks DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH Katrin Poppe, Familie Sticht Hemmoor-Heeßel UNIEKAAS Flughafenallee 17, Georg Mayer Seesen with Chimichurri Apron Lisa Schabacker Hetzerode Only 28199 Bremen 5 Sabine Schmidt Bremen It’s barbecue season but that doesn’t have to mean hamburgers and 10 x The deadline for entries is: Tim Wefer Ovelgönne Ingredients! August 16, 2020 Ute Kaper Edewecht sausages! Take a trip to Argentina via MILRAM’s website and try this Only employees and cooperative members of Hof Johansson Tangendorf the DMK Group are eligible to participate. Ute Driesen Bremen delicious spicy meal that’s made entirely without meat. The secret The task for those Benjamin Stanke Bremen Jan Ahlers Ovelgönne ingredient? MILRAM FrühlingsQuark, the TOP BRAND 2020! competing in the MILRAM BBQ Topped with chimichurri, herbs and stir. Slice open side until they are lightly challenge: a zesty, tangy Argentinian the chili, remove the seeds, browned. You can also pre- create something sauce made of herbs, along chop finely and add to the pare these in a pan, or in the delicious using only Cow Paula had just given birth to her calf in a picture taken for farmer with fresh, creamy Früh- mix.Season the chimichur- oven, if you prefer. Fredrik Warnecke from Ahletal, Lower Saxony. It is one of the best five ingredients, Dear Readers: photos that readers sent in for the July issue of Milchwelt. lingsQuark, your cauliflow- ri with salt and pepper to combined with Send us a picture er and sweet potatoes will taste, then let it sit for half STEP 4: MILRAM spicy quark be a major hit at the next an hour. Place the grilled vegetables or FrühlingsQuark We are featuring the best pictures barbecue, stealing the show on a plate and serve with a “Don’t mess around!” sent to us by DMK readers in the from the steak and chicken STEP 2: portion of MILRAM Früh- Three top barbecue in- first pages of the magazine. Please wings. Wash the cauliflower, divide lingsQuark If you want a spi- fluencers slipped on their send us your favorite photo in high Here’s how: it into large florets, then cier dinner, add a spoonful of aprons and worked their resolution, and (important) in land- cut these into thick slices. chimichurri along with it. magic at the grill. Find out scape format, and tell us who and STEP 1: Wash the sweet potatoes the results and see who what is in the picture. We would also To make the chimichurri, and cut them into broad Fire away! won on milram.de. love to hear why you like the image Here’s how: finely chop the thyme, slices. Brush the chimichurri You can find more recipes and what it means to you. Save a Email your picture to: parsley and spring onions. across the sliced vegetables on our MILRAM page: [email protected] Juice the limes and add the and red peppers so they are special moment (you can find an and put in the title example on p. 6 – 7). Whether it’s an “Reader photo” chopped herbs and olive oil generously covered. artistic still life, a lively group shot or Deadline: until the mixture thickens. LINK LINK a moment of delight – your creativi- Roughly chop the garlic and STEP 3: 30 October 2020 more at: www.milram.de/ ty knows no limits! Only employees and cooperative flatten it with a knife Grill the marinated vegeta- www.milram.de/rezept/ aktionen/grill-challenge/ members of the DMK Group are grillrezepte/ eligible to participate. then add this to the bles for 7 – 8 minutes on each

58 MILCHWELT July 2020 July 2020 MILCHWELT 59 not just any cheese from holland

There are many cheese brands in the Netherlands. But only one is the óldest cheese brand. That is Uniekaas. Delicious cheese the Dutch are proud of. And so are we on our recent campaign. With this campaign, we show even more that the Dutch really cherish their cheese. That’s the reason we say in the Netherlands: Uniekaas. Our cheese.

Uniekaas_Milchwelt_AdvA4_03.indd 1 05/06/2020 16:48