DE-VAU-GE
DE-VAU-GE is a German food manufacturer producing breakfast cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and plant-based drinks primarily as Private Label/exclusive brands for European food retailers. Founded in 1899, the family-owned company operates from Lüneburg and Tangermünde with over 900 employees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1899
- HeadquartersLüneburg, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DE-VAU-GE does
DE-VAU-GE Gesundkostwerk Deutschland GmbH is a German food manufacturer founded in 1899 and headquartered in Lüneburg, with a second production facility in Tangermünde (operational since 2013). The company produces a focused portfolio of four core categories: crispy breakfast cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and plant-based drinks. It operates almost exclusively as a private label manufacturer, developing and producing exclusive-brand products for European food retailers; the company self-describes as one of the largest European manufacturers in its product categories. Its operations are supported by an in-house product development department, an internal quality assurance function, and a broad certification stack including IFS Food (highest level), EU Organic, and ISO 50001.
The business is a privately held, family-owned enterprise under the Makowski family since 2013, with Dr. Andreas Makowski and Dr. Rüdiger Kühl serving as Managing Directors. Revenue is generated almost entirely through B2B manufacturing and supply contracts (transaction-fee model) with European food retailers; pricing is negotiated bilaterally and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is direct sales-led, with no direct-to-consumer channel of significance. The company has accessed debt capital markets via a 6.5% corporate bond (2020/2025), with the first tranche of €3.0 million placed in July 2020 and an upsize resolved in July 2022, indicating ongoing capital deployment for operational and modernization needs (e.g., the S/4HANA migration completed in 7 months).
At scale, DE-VAU-GE employs over 900 staff across both production sites and generates approximately €320 million in annual revenue (as cited in the 2023 Medium-Sized Business Prize laudatio). Sustainability is a stated strategic priority, evidenced by ISO 50001-certified energy management at both plants, 100% green electricity since 2020, and a long-standing logistics partnership with Emons Cargo 2WIN that yielded ~1.5 million kg of CO₂ savings in 2023. Geographic footprint is centered on Germany with exports to the United Kingdom.
DE-VAU-GE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DE-VAU-GE
- Legal name
- DE-VAU-GE Gesundkostwerk Deutschland GmbH
- Website
- https://de-vau-ge.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1899
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DE-VAU-GE is a German food manufacturer producing breakfast cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and plant-based drinks primarily as Private Label/exclusive brands for European food retailers. Founded in 1899, the family-owned company operates from Lüneburg and Tangermünde with over 900 employees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DE-VAU-GE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Breakfast Cereals Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing (31123), Snack Food Manufacturing (31191), Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Beverages (2080), Bakery Products (2050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Breakfast Foods & Cereals (Cereal, Granola, Oatmeal) (CRADAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Bakery Manufacturing (Gluten-Free, Artisan, Health-Focused) (AFAKAAAG), Gluten-Free & Specialty Grain-Based Foods Manufacturing (GF pasta/cereals, ancient grains) (AFAKABAK), Breakfast & brunch prepared items manufacturing (AFAKAHAH)
Keywords
Where DE-VAU-GE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lüneburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
DE-VAU-GE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Private Label Manufacturing: Manufacturing of breakfast cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and plant-based drinks under retailer exclusive brands (Private Label). The company is a key partner for European food retail for exclusive brands, generating revenue through production and supply agreements with major retailers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
DE-VAU-GE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DE-VAU-GE manufactures and supplies breakfast cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and plant-based drinks. Operating as a Private Label partner, the company produces exclusive-brand food products for European food retailers, supported by an in-house product development department capable of delivering specialized variants such as organic and gluten-free.
Product overview
DE-VAU-GE is a food manufacturing company producing a focused portfolio of four core product categories: breakfast cereals (Frühstücks-Cerealien), muesli, cereal bar assortments (Riegel-Sortiment), and plant-based drinks. The company operates as a private label manufacturer, primarily serving as a partner to European food retail for exclusive brands. With its own product development department, DE-VAU-GE also offers individualized product development services to meet specific customer requirements, including specialized products such as organic and gluten-free options. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Lüneburg with a second production facility in Tangermünde, Germany.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Frühstücks-Cerealien (Breakfast Cereals)
- Müsli (Muesli)
- Riegel-Sortiment (Bar Assortment)
- Plant Based Drinks
- Energy Food
- Private Label / Exklusivmarken Manufacturing
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy consumption per ton of finished goods reduced by 45% from 2015 to 2023
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use DE-VAU-GE
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DE-VAU-GE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
DE-VAU-GE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Emons Cargo 2WINcoreLong-standing logistics partnership for freight transportation using double-deck 2WIN trailers. Achieved approximately 1.5 million kg CO2 savings in 2023 through optimized cube fill for FTL loads. Emons invested in 40 new semi-trailers specifically for DE-VAU-GE deliveries. Partnership includes testing of e-trucks, use of bio-LNG-powered tractor units, and solar panels on trailer roofs.
- IHK BraunschweigcoreChamber of Industry and Commerce partnership for Energy Scout program. Apprentices Francesco Stagliano and Finn Jasper Hennings participated in workshops on energy efficiency, measurement technology, and corporate mobility management, winning 1st place in the 2025 Energy Scout competition.
- Regional Educational InstitutionsminorPartnerships with Berufsakademien (vocational academies), Berufsbildende Schulen (vocational schools), and Hochschulen (universities) in the regional area surrounding Lüneburg and Tangermünde to complement apprenticeship training programs.
- DSAG (German-speaking SAP User Group)minorDE-VAU-GE was invited to share their experience of their successful S/4 HANA project at the DSAG Annual Congress 2024 in Leipzig with 5,500 participants. Focus was on project management and success factors that enabled a LEAN conversion in just 7 months with 96% test coverage.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DE-VAU-GE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nordgetreide GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of cereal flakes, muesli mixes, and crunchy products, including a significant private label / co-manufacturing business for European retailers. Directly comparable to DE-VAU-GE in product category (cereals/muesli), customer base (European food retail private label), and B2B manufacturing model.
- Peter Kölln GmbH & Co. KGaA: German oat- and cereal-based food manufacturer producing muesli, porridge, and breakfast cereals for both its own brand and private label customers. Overlaps directly with DE-VAU-GE on muesli and breakfast cereal private label production for European retail.
- Pano Group (J. Eilers & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG): German private label bakery and breakfast products manufacturer serving European food retail with bread, snacks, and breakfast items. Comparable in B2B private label orientation and customer base to DE-VAU-GE, with adjacent product overlap in bars and breakfast.
- Hammermühle GmbH: German organic cereal and muesli manufacturer supplying both branded and private label products, with a strong focus on organic and health-oriented variants. Directly comparable to DE-VAU-GE's organic / gluten-free private label capabilities and health-food positioning.
- Seitenbacher GmbH: German family-owned manufacturer of muesli, cereals, and related breakfast products, including private label volumes. Comparable to DE-VAU-GE in product focus, German family-owned structure, and B2B / private label business mix.
Broad incumbents
- Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé / General Mills JV): Global breakfast cereal joint venture of Nestlé and General Mills operating across Europe. Comparable to DE-VAU-GE on core product category (cereals) and European footprint, but as a much larger branded incumbent rather than a private label specialist.
- Weetabix Limited (Post Holdings): UK-based cereal manufacturer now owned by Post Holdings, producing breakfast cereals and bars for the UK and European markets. Comparable in product category, European retail customer base, and bar/cereal portfolio overlap with DE-VAU-GE, though a much larger branded player.
- Dr. August Oetker KG (Food Division): Large German family-owned food manufacturer with a broad portfolio including breakfast, baking, and snacks. Comparable in family-owned German food manufacturing and European retail customer overlap, but operates a much wider branded portfolio rather than focusing on private label cereals.
Emerging players
- Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH: German organic food retailer and producer with its own-brand portfolio of cereals, muesli, and plant-based drinks. Comparable to DE-VAU-GE on organic-certified, health-oriented cereals, muesli, and plant-based drinks; competes for the same shelf space at organic-leaning European retailers.
- Oatly Group AB: Swedish plant-based drinks manufacturer with a strong European footprint. Comparable to DE-VAU-GE specifically in the plant-based drinks product line, where both serve European food retail customers, though Oatly is a branded specialist and DE-VAU-GE is a private label manufacturer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DE-VAU-GE social profiles
Digital presenceDE-VAU-GE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
DE-VAU-GE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DE-VAU-GE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
DE-VAU-GE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DE-VAU-GE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DE-VAU-GE
What does DE-VAU-GE do?
DE-VAU-GE manufactures and supplies breakfast cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and plant-based drinks. Operating as a Private Label partner, the company produces exclusive-brand food products for European food retailers, supported by an in-house product development department capable of delivering specialized variants such as organic and gluten-free.
Is DE-VAU-GE a public or private company?
DE-VAU-GE is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was DE-VAU-GE founded?
DE-VAU-GE was founded in 1899. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DE-VAU-GE based?
DE-VAU-GE is headquartered in Lüneburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does DE-VAU-GE make money?
One revenue line is on record: private Label Manufacturing.
Who are DE-VAU-GE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nordgetreide GmbH & Co. KG, Peter Kölln GmbH & Co. KGaA, Pano Group (J. Eilers & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG), Hammermühle GmbH and Seitenbacher GmbH. Broad incumbents are Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé / General Mills JV), Weetabix Limited (Post Holdings) and Dr. August Oetker KG (Food Division). Emerging players are Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH and Oatly Group AB.
Does DE-VAU-GE have an API?
No public API is recorded for DE-VAU-GE.
What industry is DE-VAU-GE in?
DE-VAU-GE's product category is Breakfast Cereals Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAAAE, Breakfast Foods & Cereals (Cereal, Granola, Oatmeal), with a secondary code of AFAKAAAG, Specialty Bakery Manufacturing (Gluten-Free, Artisan, Health-Focused). Its NAICS code is 31123 and its SIC code is 2000.