Geschichte_2000er-Jahre_SDF

Period of transition in the Swiss dairy industry

2002
2002 Takes over of Swiss Dairy Food
Emmi takes over the cheese business of Swiss Dairy Food. This transaction sees the integration of Gerberkäse AG in Thun, Fromagerie de Saignelégier SA, Fromco (Affinage) SA in Moudon, Goldbach & Roth AG in Lützelflüh, Käsespezialitäten AG in Utzenstorf, Lataria Engiadinaisa in Bever, Säntis Fromsuisse SA in Gossau and Top Cheese Switzerland AG in Ostermundigen into the Emmi Group. This makes Emmi the no. 1 in the Swiss dairy industry.
2002 Export to Russia
Emmi exports cheese to Russia for the first time. Lorries take Emmentaler and Co. from Langenthal via Germany, Poland and Belarus to the Russian Federation.
2003 Benecol
Emmi launches the cholesterol-lowering yogurt drink Benecol on the market in Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany and the UK.
2004 Walter Huber new CEO
Walter Huber takes over the function of CEO from Fritz Wyss, who focuses on his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
2004 Subsidiary in France
Emmi sets up a subsidiary in France.
2004 Netherlands important European market
The Netherlands is one of the most important European markets for Emmi – especially for fondue. When Emmi takes over Craamer & Co. in Tiel, it gains even better access to the Dutch consumer base.
2004 Emmi Caffè Latte
Emmi launches Emmi Caffè Latte – the first milk-based drink made with fresh coffee on the European market. Since then, the product has continued to captivate consumers both in Switzerland and throughout Europe and remains the benchmark product in this segment.
2004 Cooperation with French cheese manufacturer
Emmi and the French cheese manufacturer enter into a cooperation in the area of fondue.
2004 Swiss stock exchange
On 6 December, Emmi AG shares are traded on the Swiss stock exchange for the first time.
2005 Majority stake in Molkerei Biedermann
Emmi consolidates its expertise in the organic segment through the acquisition of a majority holding in Molkerei Biedermann. Today, the share of organic milk at Emmi in Switzerland stands at around 10 %.
2005 KALTBACH
Speciality cheeses from the natural sandstone caves in Santenberg are sold under the KALTBACH brand. They have since gained international acclaim.
2005 Stake in Cetra Alimentari
Emmi acquires a 20 % stake in the Ticino-based company Cetra Alimentari. The company imports and distributes Italian speciality cheeses.
2005 Aargau Milk Association
Emmi and the Aargau Milk Association (AMV) set up a joint company aimed at strengthening their international competitiveness. The Lucerne Butter Centre is subsequently integrated into the AMV site in Suhr.
2006 Partnership in Spain and Chile
Emmi strengthens its partnership with the no. 2 player in Spain with a minority stake in Kaiku Corporación Alimentaria. The group of companies also includes a stake in the Chilean company Surlat.
2006 Roth cheese
Emmi enters into a strategic partnership with the US cheese producer and distributor Roth Käse and acquires a minority stake at the same time.
2006 Subsidiary in Sweden
By founding a subsidiary in Sweden, Emmi strives to gain better access to a market which exhibits the highest per-capita consumption of milk and coffee in Europe.
2006 Trentinalatte
Emmi acquires North Italian yogurt manufacturer Trentinalatte.
2006 Upstate Farms Cooperative
To bolster its presence in the US, Emmi enters into a production partnership with the Upstate Farms Cooperative in Buffalo.
2006 Cost pressure and competition
While the processed cheese industry was an important pillar of the Swiss food industry in the mid-20th century, cost pressure and increasing competition leads to broad-based consolidations. To meet the requirements demanded by the market, Emmi consolidates its production of fondue and processed cheese in Langnau in Emmental.
2007
Geschichte_2000er-Jahre_Kaesefreihandel
Free trade in cheese between Switzerland and the EU

As part of the bilateral treaties with the European Union (EU), the 2002 agricultural policy aims to improve the competitiveness of the Swiss agricultural sector. The agreement between Switzerland and the EU on trade in agricultural products enters into force in 2002. Trading in cheese sees the biggest changes as a result of the new accord. Between 2002 and 2007, both parties reduce customs charges on an incremental basis, and from June 2007 the movement of cheese goods between Switzerland and the EU is duty-free. Since then, all border protections towards the EU for Switzerland's most important dairy product have been lifted. The domestic subsidies for the sale of cheese in the Swiss market are paid out for the last time in 2002. The export subsidies for cheese exports outside the EU remain in place until 2008, albeit at a continually declining level. This creates considerably more challenging conditions for the Swiss dairy industry as a whole.