Hochdorf Holding
Corporate brand
UnclaimedHochdorf Holding is a Swiss dairy and food-ingredients group producing milk powders, infant nutrition, sports and diet products, and other milk-based ingredients.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Hochdorf Holding, also known as the Hochdorf Group, is a Swiss food and dairy-ingredients company headquartered in Hochdorf, in the canton of Lucerne. Its industrial roots date to 1895, when 21 members of the Hochdorf cheese dairy cooperative established the 1. Centralschweizerische Natur-Milch-Exportgesellschaft, an association intended to process and export natural milk from Central Switzerland. The organization adopted the name Swiss Milk Company in 1899 and developed through successive corporate reorganizations into the modern Hochdorf group. The company’s principal activities center on processing milk and manufacturing products derived from milk and other nutritional ingredients. Its portfolio has included milk powders, infant and baby foods, sports nutrition, diet products, and specialized milk-based ingredients for food manufacturers. Production has been associated primarily with the Hochdorf and Sulgen sites in Switzerland. The business has also operated through branded consumer products and business-to-business ingredient activities, giving it exposure to both retail nutrition and industrial food markets. A major restructuring of the corporate identity took place around 2000, when the company became Hochdorf Nutritec AG. In 2003 it expanded through the acquisition of Multiforsa AG and Schweizerische Milch-Gesellschaft AG in Sulgen. In 2006, seven companies were brought under the Hochdorf Holding umbrella and market activity was consolidated under the Hochdorf name. The group subsequently adjusted its portfolio through divestments, mergers, international acquisitions, and changes in production capacity. International expansion became particularly visible in the 2010s. Hochdorf acquired a majority interest in the German dairy producer Uckermärker Milch GmbH, took over the wheat-germ processor Marbacher Ölmühle, and acquired Swiss baby-food specialist Bimbosan AG. It also held interests in Lithuanian milk-protein activities and the Tunisian marketing organization Pharmalys Laboratories SA, although several of these investments were later sold or reduced. The Bimbosan business was integrated into the group, and goat-milk baby food was introduced in 2021. The group experienced significant financial and strategic pressure in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Its 2019 reporting included a substantial net loss, while changes involving Thur Milch AG were followed by the departure of a portion of its milk suppliers. Hochdorf then announced plans to phase out production at its original Hochdorf site and concentrate manufacturing in Sulgen, while retaining management and administrative functions in Hochdorf. Plans for the site changed over time: the location was later expected to remain in use until 2026, followed by renewed announcements concerning a sale. Hochdorf remains a Swiss publicly traded food company with a history spanning more than a century. Its identity is closely associated with dairy processing, nutritional products, infant food, and functional food ingredients. The company’s strategic position has been shaped by the need to balance Swiss milk sourcing and production with international nutrition markets, portfolio restructuring, asset sales, and shareholder influence.
History
Hochdorf Holding traces its origins to 1895, when 21 members of the Hochdorf cheese dairy cooperative founded the 1. Centralschweizerische Natur-Milch-Exportgesellschaft. The organization was established to process and export milk from Central Switzerland. It changed its name to Swiss Milk Company in 1899 and gradually developed from a regional dairy enterprise into a broader milk-processing and nutrition group. Around 2000, the company adopted the name Hochdorf Nutritec AG. In 2003 it expanded through the acquisition of Multiforsa AG in Steinhausen and Schweizerische Milch-Gesellschaft AG in Sulgen. Multiforsa was focused on animal-health products and was later sold to Vital Holding GmbH in 2007. In 2006, seven companies were organized under the Hochdorf Holding umbrella, and the group unified its market presence under the Hochdorf name. At the beginning of 2009, the subsidiaries Hochdorf Nutrifood and Hochdorf Nutrition were merged. Hochdorf Nutrimedical AG was established in 2011 and sold in 2013. The company pursued international growth during the 2010s. In 2014 it announced the acquisition of a 60 percent interest in Uckermärker Milch GmbH, a dairy factory in eastern Germany. Hochdorf also acquired minority interests in Ostmilch Handels GmbH and related fresh-service companies. The German facility was intended to support additional baby-food production for European, Central American, and South American markets. Hochdorf sold its 60 percent interest in Uckermärker Milch to Ostmilch at the end of February 2020. Its milk-protein plant in Medeikiai, Lithuania, had already been sold in 2018. At the end of 2014, Hochdorf acquired Marbacher Ölmühle GmbH, a German wheat-germ processor. That business was sold at the end of 2020. In April 2018, Hochdorf acquired Swiss infant-food company Bimbosan AG, based in Welschenrohr. Bimbosan was later integrated into HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition AG, with headquarters transferred to Hochdorf in 2021 and production at Welschenrohr discontinued. The Bimbosan range was expanded with goat-milk baby food in 2021. Hochdorf also increased its involvement in Thur Milch AG. At the beginning of 2019 it acquired a majority position after previously holding a smaller stake. The transaction was followed by the departure of approximately one-third of the company’s milk suppliers. Hochdorf additionally held a 51 percent interest in Tunisian marketing company Pharmalys Laboratories SA until the end of 2019. That year was marked by a reported net loss of approximately CHF 271.4 million, reflecting the group’s financial difficulties. In August 2021, Hochdorf announced that production in Hochdorf would be phased out by the end of 2023 and consolidated at Sulgen, with more than one hundred jobs affected. Management and administration were intended to remain in Hochdorf. The group and its pension fund subsequently agreed to sell the Hochdorf land and site to the municipality for CHF 60.2 million, with completion scheduled for 30 December 2021 and the group continuing as tenant. The timing and future of the site later changed: in September 2023 the company stated that it would retain the site until 2026, while in March 2024 it announced that the site was again to be sold. Hochdorf shares have traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 17 May 2011. By 31 December 2021, the group reportedly employed 387 people and generated consolidated net sales of CHF 303.5 million. The company has been described as one of Switzerland’s larger businesses and as the country’s fourth-largest dairy company by the cited reference. Its modern activities remain centered on dairy powders, infant nutrition, sports and diet products, and specialized milk-based ingredients.
- 2024
Newlat becomes a significant shareholder
[1]Newlat acquires nearly 11 percent of Hochdorf Holding and challenges the incumbent board at the annual general meeting.
- 2021
Bimbosan integration and production restructuring
[1]Bimbosan is integrated into the Swiss nutrition business, goat-milk baby food is introduced, and the group announces plans to consolidate production in Sulgen.
- 2020
Divestment of German and international assets
[1]Hochdorf sells its Uckermärker Milch stake and Marbacher Ölmühle; the Lithuanian milk-protein plant had been sold in 2018.
- 2019
Financial loss and increased Thur Milch ownership
[1]Hochdorf increases its stake in Thur Milch AG and reports a net loss of approximately CHF 271.4 million.
- 2018
Acquisition of Bimbosan
[1]Hochdorf acquires Swiss baby-food specialist Bimbosan AG.
- 2014
Expansion into Germany and wheat-germ processing
[1]Hochdorf announces its investment in Uckermärker Milch and acquires Marbacher Ölmühle later that year.
- 2011
SIX Swiss Exchange listing
[1]Hochdorf Holding shares begin trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange on 17 May.
- 2007
Sale of Multiforsa
[1]Animal-health subsidiary Multiforsa AG is sold to Vital Holding GmbH.
- 2006
Creation of the Hochdorf Holding umbrella
[1]Seven companies are brought under Hochdorf Holding and their market presence is unified.
- 2003
Acquisitions in animal health and dairy processing
[1]Hochdorf acquires Multiforsa AG and Schweizerische Milch-Gesellschaft AG in Sulgen.
Products and positioning
A Swiss dairy-processing and nutrition group serving both consumer nutrition and business-to-business food-ingredient markets, with an emphasis on milk powders, infant food, specialized nutrition, and functional dairy ingredients.
Dairy ingredients
Milk powders
Hochdorf manufactures powdered milk products for use in nutrition, food manufacturing, and other applications. Milk powders are a core expression of the company’s historical dairy-processing capabilities and support both branded products and business-to-business ingredient sales.
Infant nutrition
Infant and baby food
The group produces infant and baby nutrition products, including products associated with the Bimbosan business. The range has included conventional baby foods and goat-milk-based baby food introduced in 2021.
Specialized nutrition
Sports and diet nutrition
Hochdorf’s specialized-nutrition activities include sports products and diet-oriented formulations. These products extend the group beyond conventional dairy commodities into functional and targeted nutrition categories.
Food ingredients
Milk-based ingredients
Hochdorf supplies milk-based ingredients and milk-protein products for industrial customers. These materials can be incorporated into food and nutrition formulations, making the company both a consumer-food producer and an ingredient manufacturer.
Baby food brand · 2018
Bimbosan
Bimbosan is a Swiss baby-food business acquired by Hochdorf in 2018. It became part of the group’s Swiss nutrition operations, with production in Welschenrohr later closed and the business integrated into HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition AG.
Brand decisions
2024
Board contest involving NewlatOtherBackground
After acquiring nearly 11 percent of Hochdorf Holding, Italian food group Newlat sought greater influence over the company.
Action taken
Newlat proposed replacing the entire board with its own candidates at the 15 May 2024 annual general meeting.
Aftermath
The existing board was confirmed for another year.
2021
Consolidation of production in SulgenStrategyBackground
Hochdorf announced a restructuring of its manufacturing footprint amid operational and financial pressure.
Action taken
The group planned to phase out production in Hochdorf by the end of 2023, consolidate production in Sulgen, and reduce more than one hundred positions.
Aftermath
The timetable changed. In 2023 the company said the Hochdorf site would be retained until 2026, and in 2024 it again announced plans to sell the site.
Sale price for Hochdorf land and site. CHF 60.2 million (Transaction scheduled for 30 December 2021)
2018
Acquisition of Bimbosan AGM&ABackground
Hochdorf sought to strengthen its position in infant and baby nutrition.
Action taken
The company acquired Swiss baby-food specialist Bimbosan AG.
Aftermath
Bimbosan was integrated into the Swiss nutrition business, and goat-milk baby food was introduced in 2021.
2014
Acquisition of Uckermärker MilchM&ABackground
Hochdorf’s existing production capacity was described as insufficient for planned baby-food growth in European and American markets.
Action taken
The group announced the acquisition of a 60 percent interest in the German dairy factory Uckermärker Milch GmbH, together with minority interests in related marketing and service companies.
Aftermath
The 60 percent stake was sold to Ostmilch at the end of February 2020.
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