GERMANY – German dairy firm Deutsche Milchkontor (DMK) has announced Andreas Unruhe as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its Ice Cream Business Unit, effective June 1, 2024.
Unruhe will succeed Marcus-Dominic Hauck, who has decided to step down after serving in the role since 2017.
During his tenure, Hauck played a pivotal role in transforming DMK’s ice cream operations.
He spearheaded a comprehensive reorganization, which included consolidating several ice cream production facilities in Everswinkel, expanding the licensing business, and forging new sales partnerships.
“After a thorough review, we concluded that a new leadership direction was necessary for the ongoing development of this challenging sector,” DMK CEO Ingo Müller stated, reflecting on Hauck’s contributions,
“We are immensely thankful to Marcus-Dominic Hauck for his commitment and contributions to the DMK Group and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Building on the foundation laid by Hauck, DMK Group aims to further enhance its ice cream business to meet future challenges and opportunities.
Andreas Unruhe, with his extensive international experience in the food industry, including senior roles at Dr Oetker and Plukon Food Group, brings a fresh perspective to the table.
“I am delighted to welcome Andreas Unruhe, whose expertise will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives and drive our strategic objectives forward. I look forward to his contributions and wish him great success in his new role,” CEO Müller said.
The leadership transition is a critical step for DMK Group as it continues to navigate the competitive ice cream market.
The company, which reported a turnover of €5.5 billion in 2022—marking its most successful year in history—remains committed to preparing its ice cream business for future growth.
Despite challenges and uncertainties in its supply chain, DMK’s earnings for 2022 were on target at €22.7 million, compared to €27 million in the previous year.
The company also reported an average payout price for cooperative farmers of 53.6 cents per kilogram, which is 1.3 cents above the official federal comparison.
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