AUSTRIA: MEGGLE TAKES STAKE IN ALPENMILCH

Article Abstract:

Meggle GmbH of Wasserburg, Germany, is taking a 26% stake in Alpenmilch Salzburg GmbH. The deal was confirmed by the Alpenmilch partners Milchhof Salzburg and Tauernmilch Bischofshofen. While Alpenmilch, Austria's fifth-biggest milk processing company, is strong in the so-called white segment (milk, yoghurt, quark), Meggle's strength lies in butter and cheese. The German company claims market leadership in herb butter in Europe, and it is also the world's biggest processor of whey into lactose for the pharmaceutical industry. The two companies have already been cooperating in the whey and cheese sectors. Future cooperation will involve also sour milk products, herb quark, long-life dairy-based desserts and soft cheese. By cooperating with Meggle, Alpenmilch will be able to use its surplus capacities and strengthen its position on the German market. The Austrian company says that it is too big to be a niche operator but too small on the European market on its own. On the other hand, Meggle will expand on east European markets through Alpenmilch. Alpenmilch says that the cooperation with Meggle will result in a 10% increase in the number of staff in the medium term from 165 at present. The Austrian company generated a turnover of Sch 498mn in the first half of 1999 (Sch 482mn a year earlier). Export share rose from 17.5% to 20%. In 1998 Meggle generated a turnover of about DM 650mn.

Acquisitions & mergers, Dairy Products NEC, Alpenmilch, Meggle Milchindustrie GmbH und Company KG

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AUSTRIA/ITALY: BERGLANDMILCH EXPANDS

Article Abstract:

Austria's biggest dairy group, Berglandmilch, exports one-third of its cheese output. As sales to one of the three main markets, Russia, collapsed, the Austrian company has been seeking growth in the other two, Germany and Italy. Following the acquisition of Rottaler Milchwerke in Germany, Berglandmilch has bought a 25% plus one share stake in the Italian subsidiary of German Bayernland eG . The Italian company is based in Vipiteno, and it has a delivery centre in Verona. With 50 staff and 40 field sales partners, the company generates a turnover of about Sch 1.5bn annually. In the medium term Berglandmilch is hoping to sell products worth Sch 800mn annually through Bayernland in Italy. Moreover, Berglandmilch is negotiating about another 20% stake . In 1998 Berglandmilch saw turnover fall by Sch 100mn to Sch 6.4bn. However, the acquisition of Rottaler Milchwerke raised the total to about Sch 8bn. Profit on ordinary activities more than trebled to over Sch 50mn, while balance sheet profit rose 9% to Sch 15.3mn. Berglandmilch is to reduce the number of production plants from 9 to 5-6. Building permit is to be applied for in summer 1999. The Sch 700mn plant producing so-called white products should become operative two years later.

Berglandmilch

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AUSTRIA: BENE TO EXPAND ABROAD

Article Abstract:

Austria's leading office furniture manufacturer Bene is to increase the number of outlets in Germany to 35 in the medium term. In 1999 the company set up two branches in Berlin and Bonn and raised the total number in Germany to 15. Bene is to expand also on the British and Swiss markets. Currently Germany and the UK belong to the company's main markets. A fall in sales in Russia (by Sch 30mn) was made up for by increased sales on Western markets. In 1999 Bene group turnover grew 20.1% to Sch 2.7bn. Profit ratio was about 5%.

Germany, Retail Trade, Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing, Wood office furniture

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