Innovation in thinking and action is one of our three core values. This attitude is part of our culture. We have to keep on developing as an enterprise in line with people and society. Regardless of whether the issue is to apply new methods, introduce new technology or processes or simply implement an idea, we address topics creatively and often break new ground in doing so. We want to achieve our goals and make a difference with innovative formats. Because there is something unique in almost every company. What’s unique at DMK? A strong team mentality, motivation and the prospect of achievement – whether related to the climate, nutrition or personal development.
WhatsApp as an application channel for trainees to enable a direct and authentic exchange with the generation.
The future lies in humanity within the company
Our podcast “Denkfutter”, an exchange about success in football and in companies that provides exciting food for thought and insights.
Sustainability at DMK is a cross-departmental task integrating purchasing, agricultural affairs, occupational health and safety, environmental protection, energy management and quality management. Our major goals are to ensure more sustainability, use our resources economically and implement holistic environmental protection in production and trade along the entire value chain.
We keep a watch on current trends and explore new ideas along the entire value chain. External partners contribute additional know-how to the process and provide crucial stimuli for research and development. We encourage creative and networked thinking and establish formats such as communities, trend summits, round tables, brain food events, workshops and hackathons in order to involve all employees. That way, innovative solutions are created with which we actively shape the future. It’s good for us as a company, our farmers and customers, but naturally also for our products’ consumers.
“We have the courage to be open to new ideas and implement them together. That way, we achieve a major innovation boost.”Ingo Müller, CEO DMK Group
Digitalisation and innovation along the entire value chain.
Cutting-edge digital technologies and innovation potentials are threads that run through our entire value chain. Making digitalisation feasible from the farm to the customer is therefore an important task for the future. Besides the digital applications in our factories, digitalisation is also being used increasingly on the farms: myMilk is the digital link between the farm and the dairy company.
Innovation translates market needs into products, including in times of climate change. Structures and processes create the framework for effective development and innovation. There can be no innovation without research and development (R&D). That rule also applies in the DMK Group. R&D supports the optimisation of manufacturing processes and, together with other corporate departments, develops a wide range of projects of major importance to the DMK Group. We also invest in joint research projects with universities, cooperation with suppliers, increased personnel levels and state-of-the-art plant and equipment. The objective is to increase value added and thereby secure the company’s future success.
All our innovativeness in product development is displayed at our two Milk Innovation Centers. At the MIC site in Zeven, new products are developed for the “White Line” (fresh dairy products) and “Powder/Ingredients” - these are important to food retailers and the FMCG industry among other customers. However, another focal area is process- and application-optimised product solutions for the food manufacturing industry, for example confectionery, baked goods and ice cream, the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants and catering); and the deep frozen and delicatessen sector. We develop customised solutions in a “mini dairy company” and with special techniques for confectionery and baked goods, taking every detail into account. The MIC in Edewecht is similarly innovative. We can work systematically on new products or bases for recipes until they are market-ready, using cutting-edge pilot facilities and an excellently equipped experimental cheese-making plant which provide optimum conditions.
Our society changes constantly and so does the way we live. To match up to our aspiration as an innovative company, we therefore consider the needs of tomorrow today. First and foremost, we use our long years of experience and sound knowledge of what customers and consumers want. However, our subsidiaries also contribute their expertise. Synergies arise as a result which contribute to the development of successful products.
Nowadays, plant-based alternatives are a must for every food manufacturer. We know what good products have to taste like. We have a profound understanding of the flavour, quality and processing of cow’s milk in both B2B and B2C and can transfer this understanding to non-dairy products.
