DMK Group has converted the former DMK dairy plant in Strückhausen
in Wesermarsch, Germany, into a baby food production facility.###When the plant is fully commissioned, up to 40 million kg of GM-free
milk per year will be able to be processed to produce baby milk formula for the
German and international markets.###The company sources high-quality raw material from its own milk
producers, which are located close to the plant.###The company has invested €145 million (US$164.418 million) in
technology, infrastructure and energy-saving processes and equipment.###Stefan Eckert, COO DMK Baby tells Food News International
more on the plant conversion, market outlook and tips for creating successful
products in the baby food market.###FNI:   Why did DMK Group decide to convert
its former dairy plant into a baby food production facilities?###Eckert: The Strückhausen site was operated very successfully over many years and several mergers. ###It had
become a ‘multi-functional site’.###However, as
a result of the calcium petites tabletsmerger, the DMK Group has shifted its focus to highly
specialized locations – which means that Strückhausen lost its advantage.###Within the
framework of the new orientation of the company (which, among other things,
focuses on baby food), it was necessary for the company to establish its own
baby milk factory. ###The
Strückhausen site was ideally suited for this because it is located in the
middle of the Weser-Ems production area, offering direct access to an ideal
fresh milk source. ###The
processed milk comes from DMK Group farmers located in the immediate vicinity
of the site. ###The milk is
processed immediately after delivery, in an especially gentle process of very
few steps. ###Strict
controls allow to ensure consistently tested quality. ###All farms
are contractually committed to animal welfare and GMO-free feed.###FNI: What changes were made for the conversion?###Eckert: In the drying, mixing and filling areas, only the facade of the buildings remain. ###Within the
building, complete house-in-house constructions have been installed.###In
addition, the administrative areas have been modernized, though they retained
their original structures. ###Part of the
investment funded a completely new, fully equipped laboratory.###Also, the
new site has been developed with a special hygiene concept in order to ensure
the highest level of safety.###For
example, all incoming pallets or raw material are re-palletized on in-house
pallets and secondary packaging remains in the logistic area.###Each pallet
is washed, disinfected and dried before its repeated use in in-house transport
and our big bags are always filled in the highest hygienmagnesium citrate for hearte zone. ###Furthermore,
the new facility is actively saving energy and water. ###Major parts
of the process heat is reused in the power house, in order to heat up water for
the cleaning-in-place or CIP system or to generate steam. ###The water
from the milk separation can be used for cleaning and rinsing our equipment.###FNI: What challenges did the Group face when
converting into a baby food plant?###Eckert: Major challenge to overcome was the implantation of a high tech baby food factory in the given overall layout and infrastructure of a historical dairy milk plant. ###Especially,
the intensive zoning concept reflecting the high standard of IMF in combination
with effect work forces. ###On top, to
match the current and future high standard of the usage of sustainable
resources a concept has been implemented to save water and energy in the
production. ###FNI: Which markets (geographically) would
products from the baby food plant be made available to?###Eckert: In future, powdered baby milk formula will be produced and packaged at the site.###The diverse
formulas will be filled in a wide variety of packaging, from metal cans to a
new, innovative packaging – the myHumana Pack – for global markets. ###We are
represented in more than 50 markets by our Humana brand. ###We are
represented locally with our own European sales units in Germany, Poland,
Spain, Portugal and Italy.###Further,
our sales units are located in China, Russia and Dubai.###Our
activities focus on Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, GIS, Gulf
Cooperation Council, Asia and the Middle East and North Africa region.###There, we
focus on Humana milk foods and on food supplements for mothers, babies and
toddlers. ###Our infant
food range caps off our product portfolio.###Since the
establishment of the DMK Baby business unit in 2013, we have been pursuing this
direction continuously and sustainably within the DMK Group, which has been
successful.###This can be
seen, for example, in the hard-fought European market of Italy, where DMK and
its Humana brand is now the market leader in specialty milk and infant milk
formula. ###All other
baby milk segments are also showing cowalgreens calcium citratentinuous growth. The restructuring has
also underscored the double-digit growth figures from the international
markets.###FNI: How is packaging important to the baby food
product offering?###Eckert: The packaging is an important component of the product range.###In order to
understand what mothers want and how to provide them with optimal support as
they care for their little ones, we asked mothers the world over to describe
what is important to them. ###More than
6,700 mothers responded clearly: safety, convenience of use, an appealing
design, the perfect dosing system and protection against bacteria.###Our answer
has been a new packaging that makes it possible to prepare baby formula more
safely, hygienically and simply than ever before. ###The
tamper-evident seal ensures that the package is unopened before use. ###A
protective membrane and moisture and oxygen barriers keep the powder fresh
until it is opened for thezinc citrate swanson first time.###The large
opening also prevents the powder from coming into contact with skin
unnecessarily.###The
packaging is easily opened and reclosed with a click.###The
ergonomic packing means that the bottle can be prepared with just one hand.###The handy
measuring spoon is always at hand in the integrated spoon holder – and the
scraper edge helps to prefersaday ironcisely measure the powder so the baby gets exactly the
amount it needs for its individual development stage.###FNI: What makes a successful baby food product?###Eckert: The composition of baby formula in Europe is tightly regulated with regard to quality standards and food law requirements. ###In
different parts of the world there are other quality standards and specific
formulation requirements. ###Following
the “think globally, act locally” philosophy, these requirements are reflected
in our regional milk portfolios for our markets. ###Our global
market research findings show that mothers all over the world have the same
core values. ###Baby
formula must be safe, good for their children and designed to meet the specific
needs of each developmental stage.###europe, germany, infant, dairy, interview, sheila wan, opening,
plant, factory, nutrition, ingredients, processing