Emmi AG
Corporate brand
UnclaimedSwiss dairy group producing cheese, fresh dairy products, desserts, coffee beverages and plant-based alternatives.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Emmi AG is a Swiss dairy processor and branded food group headquartered in Lucerne. Its roots lie in the Central Swiss milk-producer cooperative movement: 62 cooperatives established the Central Switzerland Milk Association in Lucerne in 1907, and the organization later developed processing activities under the Emmi name. The name Emmi was introduced in 1947 for soft cheese and yogurt made in Emmen, the municipality whose name inspired the brand. Emmi AG was established in 1993 to separate commercial operations from the association's cooperative activities, and the group was subsequently organized as a holding company in 1996–1997. Emmi became a leading Swiss dairy processor through organic development and acquisitions. The collapse of Swiss Dairy Food in 2002 strengthened its position in the Swiss market, while the acquisition of Swiss Dairy Food's cheese business expanded its cheese activities in Switzerland and Germany. Emmi later broadened its portfolio through businesses and brands covering processed cheese, fondue, goat and sheep milk, desserts, fresh dairy products and plant-based beverages. Its international expansion has created production and commercial operations in countries including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Tunisia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Mexico and the United States. The group sells cheese, milk, yogurt, cream, butter, desserts, fresh products, coffee drinks, cheese spreads, milk powders and dairy ingredients. Its best-known branded innovation is Emmi Caffè Latte, a chilled milk-and-coffee beverage introduced in 2004. The product became a major international growth platform and helped establish Emmi as a significant player in Western Europe's cold-coffee category. In some markets the company has used the name Emmi Republic of Blends for related products because Caffè Latte is also used by competitors. Emmi also operates in specialty categories such as fondue, Swiss cheeses, goat-milk products and organic products, and it entered plant-based alternatives with the Beleaf brand in 2020. Emmi has used acquisitions selectively to build international positions and category expertise. Examples include the acquisition of the Swiss goat-milk brand Le Petit Chevrier, the Onken trademark rights from the Oetker Group, a majority position in the Spanish goat-milk processor Lácteos Caprinos, and interests connected with Mexican cheese distribution. It also acquired full control of Mittelland Molkerei in Switzerland and expanded its dessert manufacturing capacity in Italy. Some investments were later sold, including Lácteos Caprinos and the Swiss Baer interest. The group has also marketed or manufactured products for retail partners in addition to its own brands. Emmi was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in December 2004. Although Switzerland remains its historic home market, the majority of group sales now come from outside Switzerland, reflecting the growth of international subsidiaries and exports. The group employs thousands of people across Europe, North and South America and North Africa. Its portfolio is organized around cheese, dairy products, fresh products, cream cheese, powders and concentrates, and other products and services. The company combines Swiss-origin positioning with international manufacturing. Its brand proposition emphasizes dairy expertise, product quality, convenience and innovation rather than only traditional Swiss milk products. At the same time, Emmi has faced public discussion over agricultural subsidies, cross-border processing, sustainability and the nutritional presentation of sweetened coffee beverages. In 2022 it ended business with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Ricarda Demarmels became chief executive in January 2023, succeeding Urs Riedener, who later became chairman of the board.
History
Emmi's institutional history begins in 1907, when 62 cooperatives created the Central Switzerland Milk Association in Lucerne. The association expanded after a cooperative from the canton of Zug joined and was renamed the Central Swiss Milk Association in 1916. In 1947, the organization began producing soft cheese and yogurt in Emmen under the Emmi name, derived from the town where the products were made. Commercial activities were separated from the association's cooperative functions when Emmi AG was established in 1993. A holding-company structure followed in 1996–1997, and the German subsidiary Emmi Deutschland GmbH was established in 1998. The cooperative organization adopted the name Zentralschweizer Milchproduzenten, or ZMP, in 1999. ZMP remains closely connected with Emmi and is the group's principal shareholder through ZMP Invest AG. Emmi expanded rapidly around the turn of the century. The acquisition of Josef Hosp GmbH in Austria helped establish an international presence, while the company became Switzerland's largest milk processor in 2001. In 2002, Emmi acquired the Swiss and German cheese activities of Swiss Dairy Food after that company's collapse, strengthening its domestic leadership and its cheese portfolio. The four Swiss processed-cheese manufacturers Gerberkäse, Chalet Käse, Tigerkäse and Zingg were combined in 2003 to form Emmi Fondue AG. The group entered a new phase with the launch of Caffè Latte in March 2004. The chilled coffee-and-milk drink became Emmi's most successful branded product and an important international growth engine. Emmi was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in December 2004. During the following decade it developed a broader portfolio through investments in specialty dairy, international subsidiaries and acquisitions. These included goat-milk businesses, Onken trademark rights and positions in Latin American cheese distribution. Emmi also pursued selective divestments. Its stake in Baer AG was sold to Lactalis in 2008, and the Italian yogurt producer Trentinalatte was sold to the Livia holding group in 2014. In 2016, Emmi acquired full control of Mittelland Molkerei, a Swiss dairy formed from earlier milk-processing activities. The group acquired an 80 percent stake in Spanish goat-milk processor Lácteos Caprinos in 2016 and sold it at the end of 2020. Emmi announced the purchase of Italian dessert specialist Pasticceria Quadrifoglio in 2019, subject to regulatory approval, and opened a new dessert plant in Campogalliano in 2023. Category expansion continued with the acquisition of Le Petit Chevrier in 2010, followed by further activity in goat and sheep milk. The Beleaf plant-based beverage brand was launched in 2020, with Swiss oats used in its oat milk from 2021. Emmi's operations now span Switzerland, much of Europe, North and South America, and North Africa. Production locations outside Switzerland include facilities in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Tunisia, Brazil, Chile, Canada and the United States. In November 2020, Emmi announced a replacement for its Emmen cheese factory; the new site was completed and commissioned in 2022. In the same year, the company stated that it had stopped doing business with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, former chief executive Urs Riedener became chairman of the board and Ricarda Demarmels became chief executive. Emmi remains a listed Swiss dairy group whose business combines domestic milk processing, cheese and dairy expertise, specialty products and international branded foods.
- 2023
Leadership transition
[1]Ricarda Demarmels became CEO, while former CEO Urs Riedener became chairman of the board.
- 2022
Russia business discontinued
[1]Emmi announced that it had ended business activities in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
- 2020
Beleaf launched
[1]The group entered plant-based milk alternatives with the Beleaf brand.
- 2010
Expansion into goat milk
[1]Emmi acquired the Swiss Le Petit Chevrier brand and expanded its specialty-milk portfolio.
- 2004
Caffè Latte launched
[1]Emmi introduced its chilled milk-and-coffee beverage, later its most successful branded product.
- 2004
Shares listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange
[1]Emmi became a publicly traded company on the Swiss equities market.
- 2002
Swiss Dairy Food cheese business acquired
[1]Emmi took over Swiss Dairy Food's cheese activities in Switzerland and Germany.
- 2001
Emmi becomes Switzerland's largest milk processor
[1]Acquisitions and expansion made Emmi the leading milk processor in Switzerland.
- 1993
Emmi AG established
[1]Commercial operations were separated from the cooperative association through the creation of Emmi AG.
- 1947
Emmi name introduced
[1]Soft cheese and yogurt production began in Emmen under the Emmi brand name.
Products and positioning
A Swiss-quality dairy group combining traditional cheese and dairy expertise with premium convenience products, specialty milk categories and international branded innovation.
Chilled coffee beverage · 2004
Emmi Caffè Latte
A ready-to-drink mixture of milk and coffee introduced in 2004. Caffè Latte became Emmi's leading branded product and a key vehicle for international expansion in chilled coffee. The range has been adapted for different markets, and some products use the Emmi Republic of Blends name because Caffè Latte is also used as a competitive product designation.
Processed cheese and fondue · 2003
Emmi Fondue
A branded range associated with Emmi's Swiss processed-cheese activities. Emmi Fondue AG was formed in 2003 through the combination of four processed-cheese manufacturers, giving the group a dedicated platform for fondue and related cheese products.
Cheese
Emmi cheese
Emmi's cheese portfolio includes Swiss cheeses, processed cheese, fondue products and internationally distributed specialty cheeses. Cheese is one of the group's core businesses, supported by Swiss production and overseas manufacturing and marketing operations.
Yogurt · 2010
Onken
Emmi acquired the trademark rights for Onken from the Oetker Group in 2010. The brand broadened Emmi's yogurt presence and complemented its existing fresh-dairy portfolio in selected markets.
Specialty dairy · 2010
Emmi goat- and sheep-milk products
Emmi developed a specialty-milk business through Le Petit Chevrier and subsequent activity involving goat and sheep milk. The category gives the group access to differentiated dairy products beyond conventional cow's milk.
Plant-based beverages · 2020
Beleaf
A plant-based milk-alternative brand launched in 2020. Emmi's oat milk under the brand has used Swiss oats since 2021 and has been positioned around local sourcing and plant-based consumption.
Swiss cheese · 2023
Sprinz AOP
A Swiss protected-origin cheese for which Emmi took over marketing responsibility in 2023, extending its role in the promotion and distribution of established Swiss cheese specialties.
Controversies
Nutri-Score criticism involving Caffè Latte
Emmi's use of Nutri-Score on certain Caffè Latte products drew criticism because the products received a relatively favorable green B rating despite containing substantial sugar. Emmi later indicated that it would not apply Nutri-Score to new products while the relevant authorities considered how the system should address such products.
Brand decisions
2023
Marketing responsibility for Sprinz AOPStrategyBackground
Emmi continued to develop its role in Swiss specialty cheese.
Action taken
The company took over marketing of Sprinz AOP.
Aftermath
The arrangement added an established protected-origin Swiss cheese to Emmi's marketing portfolio.
2022
Withdrawal from RussiaStrategyBackground
Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the operating and reputational environment for companies doing business in Russia.
Action taken
Emmi announced that it had ceased business with Russia.
Aftermath
Russia was no longer an active business market for the group according to the cited account.
2020
Launch of BeleafProduct launchBackground
Demand for plant-based alternatives was creating an adjacent growth category for dairy companies.
Action taken
Emmi introduced Beleaf, a brand of plant-based milk alternatives.
Aftermath
The brand expanded Emmi's offer beyond animal-based dairy products, with Swiss oats used in its oat milk from 2021.
2016
Full acquisition of Mittelland MolkereiM&ABackground
Emmi already held a majority stake in the Swiss dairy company and sought to simplify ownership of the business.
Action taken
Emmi acquired the remaining interest in Mittelland Molkerei.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Emmi's control of a major Swiss milk-processing operation.
2004
Launch of Caffè LatteProduct launchBackground
Emmi was broadening its portfolio beyond conventional dairy staples and seeking products with international growth potential.
Action taken
The company introduced a chilled milk-and-coffee beverage under the Caffè Latte brand.
Aftermath
Caffè Latte became Emmi's most successful branded product and an important international category platform.
2003
Creation of Emmi Fondue AGM&ABackground
Emmi sought to consolidate Swiss processed-cheese capabilities.
Action taken
Gerberkäse AG, Chalet Käse AG, Tigerkäse AG and Zingg AG were combined to form Emmi Fondue AG.
Aftermath
The new company became a platform for Emmi's fondue and processed-cheese activities.
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