June 4, 2012
Arla announces second merger with German Hochifel
Press release
Announcing last week that Arla will merge with UK's Milk Link, a further merger with Germany's eighth largest dairy, the co-operative Milch-Union Hocheifel (MUH), which has owners in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, has been announced.
The owner representatives in Arla Foods and MUH will make a decision on whether to merge on June 26 and the mergers will require clearance from the regulatory authorities. If the two mergers are finalised and approved, Arla will be represented by owners in its four largest markets, the UK, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, and also in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Germany is one of the most important markets for Arla Foods. "After the merger with Hansa-Milch and the acquisition of land in Bavaria last year, it is very important for us to strengthen Arla's position in Germany," said Peder Tuborgh, CEO of Arla Foods. "The planned merger with MUH is a logical step."
If approved, the merger will take effect from October 1, 2012.
