The 2023 Annual Report of the DMK Group - DMK.de

The 2023 Annual Report of the DMK Group Review and outlook Strong together Pleasure with responsibility Sustainability in action 24,800 MWh

The 2023 Annual Report of the DMK Group

#TeamDMK: Passion for indulgence, diversity & a sustainable future

For us, 2023 was characterized by exciting developments, new challenges and, unfortunately, setbacks. On this page, you will find a compact summary of these events and gain honest insights into our actions. Short video sequences featuring the people at DMK give you an authentic introduction to the respective topic. In each corresponding text section you will find an overview of the work and objectives in the most important areas. Would you like more detailed information on specific topics? You will find it in the linked articles.

Review and outlook

Always looking ahead - towards sustainable development for a successful future

Let's be honest - 2023 was not a successful year for DMK. Our performance was not as strong as we had hoped, the payout price fell short of expectations and Group sales stagnated. Why was that? In addition to internal challenges such as high energy costs, the results of our subsidiaries and difficulties with sales management, there were also global events such as the war in Ukraine, supply bottlenecks and inflation. But does that mean: "DMK simply can't do it"? No. Setbacks are part and parcel of a far-reaching transformation process such as the one DMK is undergoing. It is important to tackle difficulties with determination and, where necessary, to take energetic countermeasures. This is what we have done. By continuously improving our work processes, streamlining administrative costs and optimising our product portfolio. Our CEO Ingo Müller talks about the past year in an interview.

Our Vision 2030 was, is and remains the right path

The years 2020 to 2022 have impressively demonstrated this. And we are consistently continuing on this path with our strategic topics for the future. We got off to a solid start in 2024. Many of last year's one-off effects have been resolved. The counteractions introduced have had a noticeable effect. And with our #TeamDMK, we will make our Vision 2030 a reality. Despite all the stumbling blocks, we have achieved and initiated a great deal over the past year. Because our cohesion is our greatest strength. This is how we can prove time and again: "DMK can do it."

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June 2024

DMK Group: On the right track - even with setbacks

Bremen, 20 June 2024.

2023 was a year of extremes for the DMK Group. Market distortions combined with negative one-off effects led to an…

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June 2024

Our Year 2023 - Interview with CEO Ingo Müller

In a year characterized by extremely volatile markets and challenges on the cost side, the DMK Group has shown how important team spirit is and that a…

June 2024

Financial Information

June 2024

DMK eG: The co-operative, a company of our farmers

Deutsches Milchkontor eG, Germany's largest dairy co-operative, belongs to its members - the farmers.

May 2024

DMK 2030: our promise for the future

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Strong together

Together we are shaping a tomorrow full of opportunities and progress.

Milk is our passion. And the people at DMK are invaluable. It is thanks to them that we have been able to work confidently on our Vision 2030 even in the difficult year 2023. And have supplied millions of people in Germany and beyond with their favourite products. HR Manager Vivian Bellmann, Director Human Resource Development Jörn Eggemann and Ines Krummacker, Head of HR, discussed our corporate culture.

We are aware that we will continue to need a strong team in the future in order to be successful

In concrete terms, this means well-trained and committed employees from production to administration and sales. We rely on a diverse, powerful team that wants to make a difference together.

We are committed to the concept of "New Work", which promotes a new way of working. It is based on independence, collaboration and mutual trust and is applied both in our plants and in administration. Our new headquarters opposite Bremen Airport provides the perfect setting for collaborative and cross-functional work.

We have developed special programmes such as StepUp and Passion to specifically promote our employees in the plants and administration. These programmes help to further develop skills and talents and open up new career paths within the DMK Group.

Leadership next Level is designed to train and strengthen our managers in order to further implement an inspiring and effective leadership culture at eye level.

With all these programmes, we are pursuing our goal of creating an appreciative and inclusive working environment in which every employee can be successful and develop further.

May 2024

DMK Group has moved into new premises in Bremen

Bremen, 24 May 2024.

After about three years of construction, the DMK Group has moved into its new premises at Maria-Cunitz-Str. 5, directly opposite…

April 2024

We live diversity

As a global company employing people from more than 50 nations, DMK is taking a clear stand against exclusion and hate.

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Pleasure with responsibility

We prove how good the change in nutrition can taste.

Cookery shows on TV, food influencers on social networks, information about food on smartphones - in everyday life, interest in what we consume is increasing. It's not just new flavour ideas and food trends that are conquering the kitchen, but also the way we look at food production. Consumers are actively looking for greater animal welfare and a more sustainable use of resources. Where is nutrition heading? Dr Annika Schrader, Director Marketing Baby GmbH, Thomas Czisch, Senior Product Manager Foodservice and Kathrin Krecker, Junior Manager MILRAM, provide exciting insights.

We at DMK are dairy experts, but we can also do plant-based. This is our response to the fact that, according to a representative survey from 2023, around 94 per cent of consumers questioned choose milk and dairy products as part of their diet. Nevertheless, dairy products and plant-based alternatives are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they complement each other and offer consumers the opportunity to shop according to their dietary habits.

At DMK, we translate this into a broad portfolio in which dairy-based and plant-based products stand side by side. This allows us to offer consumers who like to try new things, such as flexitarians, a choice within our own range and therefore products that perfectly suit their lifestyle.
Nevertheless, dairy products and plant-based alternatives are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they complement each other and offer consumers the opportunity to shop according to their dietary habits.
At DMK, we translate this into a broad portfolio in which dairy-based and plant-based products stand side by side. This allows us to offer consumers with a taste for flavour, such as flexitarians, a choice within our own range and therefore products that perfectly suit their lifestyle.

April 2024

Three all-new Plant-Based Stews

Alete bewusst is launching meals for toddlers, with three new plantbased meals. “Potato chickpea stew with coconut milk”, “spaghetti with lentil…

April 2024

Tastes, Trends and Transformations

How will food culture change in the future? In “Foodreport 2024”, nutritionist Hanni Rützler sheds light on the latest developments in the industry.

April 2024

Innovation on the Menu

We are milk specialists, but we are rocking plant-based alternatives, too. Two product developers share insights into their work.

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June 2024

Our range of vegan products

As Germany’s largest dairy cooperative, we know what plant-based alternatives to dairy products have to taste like.

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Sustainability in action

Our holistic approach for more climate protection, animal welfare and biodiversity.

Sustainability is not a "nice to have" for DMK, but the order of the day. Topics such as climate protection, biodiversity and animal welfare concern us as #TeamDMK every day and in all areas. How does DMK promote sustainability? We asked Lars Dammann, Head of Environment, Teamlead Production Quality Agribusiness Dirk von Aschwege and DMK farmer Sven Kück.

In order to achieve our long-term sustainability goals, we have identified four areas of action in our "Vision 2030" and are implementing corresponding measures on the farms, in our plants and along the entire supply chain

Ongoing research and development projects and the internal "TIGER - Continuous Improvement" programme are helping us to improve step by step. In combination with new innovative projects for agriculture, the vision of a future-orientated dairy industry is gradually taking shape. The aim of all projects is to adapt successful measures wherever possible. We don't just want to focus on ourselves as a company, but also work in the sector and share our knowledge with others.

These research projects include, for example, the "B-WaterSmart" programme supported by the EU Commission. In one of 6 "Living Labs" across Europe, we are researching a method at our Edewecht site to recover water from milk and use it as a drinking water substitute. The aim is to treat 600,000 m³ of vapour condensate per year and use it as a drinking water substitute.

24,800 MWh

At our production site in Edewecht, we are also focussing on the energy-efficient use of waste heat. This measure saves 24,800 MWh of natural gas and 200 MWh of electricity every year, which contributes to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.

Another important contribution to greater climate protection is our new vehicle fleet. We are replacing all of our milk collection lorries and switching to bio LNG as a fuel. This will save us around 13,500 tonnes of CO2 every year. With our own fuelling station, we are also making the switch easier for external hauliers.

Our "Net Zero Project" also plays a major role in our "Vision 2030". Here, pilot farms in Germany and the Netherlands are trialling various methods for climate-friendly agriculture, in which all our farms will be able to participate in the future.

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June 2024

DMK Group converts milk truck fleet to climate-friendly bio-LNG

Bremen, 18 June 2024.

By joining the Science Based Target Initiative in 2022, the DMK Group has made its climate targets transparent and validated…

April 2024

Together? Tuurlijk!

Supermarket chain Jumbo and Uniekaas Holland are teaming up with cooperative DOC Kaas to promote the all-important issue of sustainability.

May 2024

Saving intelligently with waste heat

At its Edewecht site, DMK has implemented an ingenious waste heat recovery system that is to be extended to other locations.

April 2024

Sustainability in sight

Protecting the climate is a top priority at DMK. The Product Carbon Footprint provides a transparent view of the company’s progress so far.

May 2024

DMK sets innovative standards for the sustainable use of water

April 2024

On a mission to cut emissions

Several farmers are trying out ways to slash the carbon footprint on their farms as part of the Net Zero Farming project. Jörg Stottmeister shares…

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These projects are of crucial importance for the future of DMK, as they not only contribute to climate protection, but also strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the entire industry and lead to products that consumers can enjoy without a guilty conscience.