Markus-Mühle
Markus-Mühle is a family-owned German manufacturer of premium cold-pressed dry food and supplements for dogs and cats, using its proprietary ICEpressed® low-temperature process and distributing through European specialist pet retailers, breeders, regional distributors, and a factory outlet.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersLangenhahn, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Markus-Mühle does
Markus-Mühle GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned German manufacturer of cold-pressed dry food and nutritional supplements for dogs and cats, headquartered and producing at a single facility in Langenhahn, Westerwald. The company was founded by Müllermeister Josef Olberts in the 1960s and is currently led by his son Markus Olberts and daughter-in-law Stefanie Olberts as managing directors (Geschäftsführer) of the general partner entity, with no disclosed institutional shareholders.
The company's core technology is its proprietary ICEpressed® cold-press manufacturing process, which keeps the entire production chain between 7–10°C to preserve natural vitamins, enzymes, and vital substances, distinguishing its products from conventional extruded kibble. The product portfolio spans flagship dog food lines (NaturNah, BLACK ANGUS, ROTWILD Hirsch, WEIDELAMM, TRUE NATURE), a hypoallergenic veterinary diet (LUPO Sensitiv), a meat-free line (Veggie), a free-range/cause-marketed line (FREILAND), cat food (BEUTENAH), a BARF supplement (ZUFLEISCH), and the companion LUPOSAN supplement brand (RELAXX, WURMXX, ZECKXX, GELENKXX, UROXX).
Markus-Mühle generates revenue through a hybrid B2B and DTC model. The B2B channel sells through specialist pet retailers (Fachhandel) and registered breeders via an online dealer-registration portal, supplemented by regional distributors covering 15+ European countries across the Baltics, Nordics, Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe. DTC sales run through a factory outlet (Werksverkauf) at the Langenhahn site, a freemium free-sample program shipping within Germany, and digital marketing via website, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Marketing emphasizes ingredient transparency, sustainability (100% renewable hydropower electricity), and animal-welfare foundations (LUPO Stiftung, Menschen für Tiere).
Markus-Mühle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Markus-Mühle
- Legal name
- Markus-Mühle GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://markus-muehle.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Markus-Mühle is a family-owned German manufacturer of premium cold-pressed dry food and supplements for dogs and cats, using its proprietary ICEpressed® low-temperature process and distributing through European specialist pet retailers, breeders, regional distributors, and a factory outlet.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Markus-Mühle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pet Food Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dry Pet Food (Kibble) (AFADAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dry Kibble (Dog & Cat) (CRADAFAA), Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH), Specialty & Condition-Specific Nutraceuticals (e.g., Liver, Eye, Endocrine) (HLAMALAO)
Keywords
Where Markus-Mühle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Langenhahn
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Markus-Mühle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pet Food Manufacturing and Sales: Markus-Mühle manufactures and sells premium cold-pressed dry food and nutritional supplements for dogs and cats. Products are sold through specialist pet retailers, factory outlet, and via B2B distribution partnerships across Europe.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One-time | Free sample program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Markus-Mühle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Markus-Mühle manufactures cold-pressed (kaltgepresst) complete dry foods for dogs and cats using a proprietary nutrient-preserving ICEPRESSED process. It also produces nutritional supplements under the LUPOSAN brand, selling through specialty pet retailers, international distributors, and a factory outlet.
Product overview
Markus-Mühle GmbH & Co. KG is a traditional pet food manufacturer based in Langenhahn, Westerwald, Germany, producing cold-pressed (kaltgepresst) complete foods for dogs and cats using a proprietary vitalstoffschonendes (nutrient-preserving) manufacturing process. The product portfolio centers on dog dry food under brands including BLACK ANGUS (premium with beef, available in Junior/Adult/Senior formulas), NaturNah (the classic formula), Veggie (meat-free alternative), FREILAND (free-range ingredients), ROTWILD (venison/duck), WEIDELAMM (lamb), LUPO Sensitiv (hypoallergenic veterinary diet), and TRUE NATURE (Swiss chicken premium). For cats, the BEUTENAH line provides high-protein cold-pressed nutrition. The LUPOSAN sub-brand offers companion nutritional supplements (LUPO RELAXX, LUPO WURMXX, LUPO ZECKXX, LUPO GELENKXX, LUPO UROXX) for dogs and cats. The company's signature ICEPRESSED manufacturing process maintains temperatures between 7-10°C throughout production to preserve natural vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LUPOSAN: Brand for animal nutritional supplements (Nahrungsergänzungsmittel) for dogs and cats, produced by Markus-Mühle following the same philosophy and quality standards.
- FREILAND
- BLACK ANGUS
- BEUTENAH
- LUPO Sensitiv
- ZUFLEISCH
- NaturNah
- TRUE NATURE
- Markus-Mühle Veggie
Products and services
- BLACK ANGUS Premium cold-pressed dry dog food line featuring Angus beef, available in Junior, Adult, Adult Mini-Pellets, and Senior formulas for different life stages.
- NaturNah HundeFutter The classic cold-pressed dry dog food formula inspired by natural prey composition, containing chicken, wild tripe, wild bones, vegetables, and herbs. It is the company's flagship product.
- Markus-Mühle Veggie Innovative meat-free cold-pressed dry dog food made with plant-based proteins (peas, lupine), vegetables, fruits, and herbs for vegetarian and vegan dog owners.
- Markus-Mühle FREILAND Cold-pressed dry dog food featuring free-range ingredients (goose, goat, venison) with a portion of proceeds supporting children's and animal welfare foundations.
- ROTWILD Hirsch Cold-pressed dry dog food with venison, Barbary duck, white fish, wild berries, and forest ingredients for bone, joint, and metabolic support.
- WEIDELAMM Cold-pressed dry dog food with lamb, vegetables, millet, and cold-pressed hemp oil, formulated with green-lipped mussel extract for bone and joint support.
- LUPO Sensitiv Hypoallergenic cold-pressed veterinary diet dry dog food, grain-free and gluten-free with a single protein source (chicken), available in 20/8 and 24/10 protein/fat ratios.
- TRUE NATURE Premium hypoallergenic cold-pressed dry dog food made with Swiss chicken, AQUAMIN vitamin complex from the sea, and no synthetic additives.
- ZUFLEISCH Grain-free and meat-free nutritional supplement for raw/frozen meat feeding (BARF), providing vegetables, herbs, fruits, fatty acids, and minerals in a cold-pressed pellet form.
- BEUTENAH Katzentrockenfutter Cold-pressed dry cat food modeled after natural prey composition with high protein content (59%) and 98% animal protein, available in chicken and turkey varieties.
- LUPOSAN Supplements Companion brand of nutritional supplements for dogs and cats including LUPO RELAXX (nervous system), LUPO WURMXX (intestinal health), LUPO ZECKXX (skin function), LUPO GELENKXX (musculoskeletal), and LUPO UROXX (urinary function).
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 800 tonnes CO2 avoided annually through renewable hydropower electricity
Companies that use Markus-Mühle
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Markus-Mühle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Markus-Mühle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.
- Luposan Baltic GmbHregionalRegional distribution partner for Baltic states (Lithuania) covering Vilnius area and wider Baltic region. Handles sales and distribution of Markus-Mühle and LUPOSAN products in the region.
- Luposan Nordic / Dyrenes Helsekost ASregionalRegional distribution partner for Norway and Finland, operating from Aalesund, Norway. Manages Nordic market distribution under the Luposan Nordic brand.
- Luposan-IbericaregionalRegional distribution partner for Spain operating from Beniarbeig, Alicante. Markets products under multiple brands including pronatura, luponatural, and luposanshop.
- Wolf Eye KFTregionalRegional distribution partner for Hungary operating from Szolnok. Handles sales and distribution under the lupopet.hu brand.
- Doglife s.r.o.regionalRegional distribution partner for Czech Republic operating from Běřovice near Prague. Manages both retail and e-commerce channels.
- Luposan Ukraine LLCregionalRegional distribution partner for Ukraine operating from Kyiv. Handles market distribution under luposan.com.ua brand.
- Beate Rothon UKregionalUK representative handling sales for both Markus-Mühle and cold-pressed cat food products in the British market.
- Ioanna K. Chinou / XinospetregionalGreek distribution partner operating from Gerakas, Athens area. Handles sales under xinospet.gr brand.
- Landhandel Matthias WimmerregionalAustrian distribution partner operating from Kirchanschöring. Handles wholesale distribution under landhandel-wimmer.de brand.
- LUPO StiftungcoreCharitable foundation supported by Markus-Mühle. A portion of proceeds from FREILAND and Veggie product lines flows to the foundation to support animal welfare and protection projects for wild and domestic animals.
- Menschen für Tiere FoundationcoreCharitable foundation supported by Markus-Mühle. Proceeds from TRUE NATURE and other product lines fund animal welfare projects for both wild and domestic animals in Germany and internationally.
- LUPOSAN GmbH & Co. KGcoreRelated company under the LUPO Gruppe umbrella sharing headquarters location, manufacturing facility, and common philosophy of 'Im Einklang mit der Natur' (In harmony with nature). Produces complementary pet nutritional supplements. Products cross-promoted and sample program covers both brands.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Markus-Mühle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Terra Canis: German premium natural pet food manufacturer with a strong focus on species-appropriate, cold-prepared, and BARF-aligned nutrition for dogs and cats. Directly comparable as a German premium niche brand in natural pet food competing for the same health-conscious pet owner segment.
- Wolfsblut: German premium dry and wet pet food brand emphasizing natural ingredients, grain-free recipes, and unique protein sources (venison, wild boar, salmon). Operates in the same premium-natural pet food niche with comparable distribution through specialist retailers across Europe.
- Wildes Land: German premium pet food brand under the tegut/Wild brand family focused on natural ingredients and regional sourcing for dogs and cats. Comparable as a premium-natural European pet food manufacturer targeting health-conscious owners via specialist and organic retail channels.
- Herrmann's Manufaktur: German premium pet food manufacturer specializing in wet food and complete menus with natural, regionally sourced ingredients. Comparable as a quality-obsessed German premium pet food brand distributed through specialty retail with overlapping customer base.
- GranataPet: German premium pet food company offering cold-pressed dry food, wet food, and supplements with emphasis on natural ingredients and grain-free formulations. Closely comparable product portfolio overlap with Markus-Mühle's cold-pressed and supplement offerings.
- Belcando / Bewi Dog: German premium pet food brand from Bewital producing dry food and wet food with a focus on natural ingredients and physiological nutrition. Competes in the same premium European dry-food category served through specialist retail.
Emerging players
- Luposan: Companion brand of Markus-Mühle sharing the same manufacturing facility, ownership, and 'In Harmony with Nature' philosophy. Produces nutritional supplements for dogs and cats; included as a peer because it shares infrastructure and customer base with the subject company.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Canin (Mars Petcare): Global premium pet food brand under Mars Petcare offering breed- and life-stage-specific nutrition. Operates broadly in the same premium dry kibble category and competes with Markus-Mühle in European specialist retail, though at vastly larger scale.
- Purina (Nestlé): One of the world's largest pet food manufacturers under Nestlé, with extensive premium and natural sub-brands (Purina ONE, Beyond, Pro Plan). Sets the competitive baseline for shelf access, marketing budgets, and trade terms that Markus-Mühle must navigate in European specialist and grocery channels.
- Hill's Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive): Global premium and veterinary pet food brand owned by Colgate-Palmolive with strong presence in specialty and veterinary channels. Comparable as a broader incumbent that competes for the same health-conscious and veterinarian-recommended pet owner segment in Europe.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Markus-Mühle social profiles
Digital presenceMarkus-Mühle compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Markus-Mühle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Markus-Mühle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Markus-Mühle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Markus-Mühle 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 Markus-Mühle
What does Markus-Mühle do?
Markus-Mühle manufactures cold-pressed (kaltgepresst) complete dry foods for dogs and cats using a proprietary nutrient-preserving ICEPRESSED process. It also produces nutritional supplements under the LUPOSAN brand, selling through specialty pet retailers, international distributors, and a factory outlet.
Is Markus-Mühle a public or private company?
Markus-Mühle is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Markus-Mühle founded?
Markus-Mühle was founded in 1960. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Markus-Mühle based?
Markus-Mühle is headquartered in Langenhahn, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Markus-Mühle make money?
One revenue line is on record: pet Food Manufacturing and Sales.
Who are Markus-Mühle's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Terra Canis, Wolfsblut, Wildes Land, Herrmann's Manufaktur, GranataPet and Belcando / Bewi Dog. Luposan is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Royal Canin (Mars Petcare), Purina (Nestlé) and Hill's Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive).
Does Markus-Mühle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Markus-Mühle.
What industry is Markus-Mühle in?
Markus-Mühle's product category is Pet Food Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFADAFAA, Dry Pet Food (Kibble), with a secondary code of CRADAFAA, Dry Kibble (Dog & Cat). Its NAICS code is 311111 and its SIC code is 2000.