# DMK Deutsches Milchkontor

DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH (DMK) is one of Germany's largest dairy companies. It was formed by the merger of the two cooperatively organized North German companies Humana Milchunion and Nordmilch, which were the two largest German milk processors. With a total revenue of 5.7 billion US$ in 2021, it is one of the 20 largest dairy companies worldwide by turnover.

## History

On February 3, 2011, the agricultural representatives of Nordmilch eG approved the merger of Nordmilch AG and Humana Milchindustrie GmbH to form DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH. The members of Humana eG and the Bad Bibra producers' cooperative, as co-owners of Humana Milchindustrie GmbH, had already approved the merger of their operating subsidiary to form Germany's largest milk processor. The merger was legally retroactive to July 1, 2010 and the joint business operations commenced on May 1, 2011. According to press reports, around 6.7 billion kg of milk, produced by over 11,000 farmers, was processed in the companies united under DMK at the time of the merger. The two companies had already planned a merger in 2004, but this fell through. Nevertheless, they worked closely together, among other things by pooling sales in Nordkontor-Milch GmbH in 2009. On March 10, 2012, it was announced that the cooperatives of both companies with their approximately 11,000 members were also to be merged. On June 20, 2012, the representatives of Nordmilch eG and Humana Milchunion eG voted in favor of the merger.
In November 2012, the company acquired a majority stake in the North Rhine-Westphalian company Rosen Eiskrem. DMK thus became the largest ice cream producer in Germany. The German Federal Cartel Office approved the takeover of Rosen Eiskrem GmbH in Waldfeucht and Rosen Eiskrem Süd GmbH, based in Nuremberg, on March 27, 2013.
In March 2016, the European Commission unconditionally approved the takeover of the second-largest Dutch cheese producer DOC Kaas by way of a merger. DOC Kaas will become a wholly owned subsidiary, but will operate independently and retain its cooperative structure.

## Corporate structure

DMK Deutsches Milchkontor is majority owned (over 90%) by the cooperative Deutsches Milchkontor eG.

### Subsidiaries

DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH, Zeven
* DMK Versicherungskontor GmbH, Bremen (100%)
* DMK Baby GmbH, Bremen (100%)
* Milchhof Magdeburg GmbH (100%)
* DP Supply GmbH (100%)
* wheyco GmbH (100%)
* Humana GmbH, Bremen (100%)
* sanotact GmbH (100%)
* sunval Nahrungsmittel GmbH (100%)
* Fude + Serrahn Milchprodukte GmbH & Co. KG (10%)
* Euro Cheese Vertriebs-GmbH
DMK Eis GmbH, Everswinkel (100 %)
* Rosen Eiskrem GmbH (100 %)
* Rosen Eiskrem Süd GmbH (100 %)

## Products

DMK is active in the following business areas, among others:
* Cheese
* Dairy products
* Ingredients
* Baby food and dietetics
* Ice cream
* Contract Manufacturing
* Health products
* Specialty feeds

## Criticism

DMK Group has faced criticism for continuing its operations in Russia following the outbreak of geopolitical tensions in 2022. While many international companies suspended activities, DMK Group maintained its presence in the country.
Milk producers criticized the fact that the company's new market power means that there are hardly any alternatives left for them.

## Locations

Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH has 20 locations in Germany, 2 in the Netherlands and 1 in Voronezh Oblast (Russia) in 2019.