Alpenhain

What Alpenhain does

Alpenhain Käsespezialitäten GmbH is a fourth-generation Bavarian family-owned cheese manufacturer founded in 1905 and headquartered in Pfaffing, Bavaria, Germany. The company employs approximately 450 people and processes fresh Alpine milk from 215 regional farm partners located within a 50km radius of its factory into a range of cheese specialties. Its product portfolio includes the Original Obazda (Bavarian Camembert cheese spread, market for over 30 years), Camembert Creme, Back-Camembert (introduced 1980, 45 years on market), Grill Käsegenuss (grilling cheese), and an expanding line of baked cheese snacks (Mozzarella Sticks, Gouda Nuggets, Brie Spitzen, Emmentaler, Camembert-Donuts, Taco Cheese Corners). The company also offers plant-based alternatives (Opflanzda) and export-oriented sub-brands (Prestige, Consul). Products carry certifications including Protected Geographical Indication for Obazda, halal, lactose-free, and 'ohne Gentechnik' (non-GMO).

The company operates through three go-to-market channels: retail (German supermarkets and grocery stores for end consumers), foodservice (direct B2B sales to professional kitchens, system gastronomy, bakeries, and catering companies in Germany), and international export to over 40 countries via distribution partners. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; B2B customers are directed to contact the company via a dedicated foodservice email. The core technology is cheese production and processing, with proprietary formulations (e.g., Back-Camembert breading, Obazda spice blend, Grill Käsegenuss Mozzarella/Emmentaler/cream cheese mix) and a tight regional milk sourcing model.

The company is led by Managing Directors Dr. Dominik Antoni and Robert Winkelmann. It is positioned as a heritage specialty brand anchored in Bavarian/Alpine provenance, regional sourcing, and absence of artificial additives, with all products vegetarian. Marketing is executed through content (recipes, blog), Instagram, and a dedicated foodservice website section for professional B2B buyers.

Name

Alpenhain

Legal name

Alpenhain Käsespezialitäten GmbH

Website

https://alpenhain.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alpenhain is a fourth-generation Bavarian family dairy that processes fresh Alpine milk from 215 regional farms into cheese specialties (Obazda, Camembert, baked cheese), serving retail consumers, foodservice professionals, and international distributors across 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cheese Manufacturing / Dairy Specialties

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cheese Packaging & Portioning (Retail Packs, Snack Packs, Singles) (AFAHABAI)

Keywords

• Cheese manufacturing
• Dairy specialties
• Cheese spreads
• Baked cheese snacks
• Foodservice cheese

Headquarters

HQ city

Pfaffing

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: Sale of cheese products (Obazda, Camembert, grilled cheese, baked cheese snacks) through retail/supermarkets to end consumers
2. Foodservice B2B Sales: B2B sales of cheese products to professional kitchens, system gastronomy, bakeries, and catering companies. Products designed for easy processing, time-saving, and cost calculation reliability.
3. International Export: Export sales of cheese specialties to international markets in over 40 countries worldwide

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alpenhain manufactures and distributes cheese specialties from fresh Alpine milk, including Obazda, Camembert, Back-Camembert (baked cheese), Grill Käse, and cheese snacks. The company operates three distinct channels: German retail (B2C), professional foodservice (B2B) supplying restaurants and catering, and international export (B2B) to distributors in more than 40 countries.

Product overview

Alpenhain is a fourth-generation Bavarian family company that has been processing fresh Alpine milk from regional farms into high-quality cheese specialties for over 120 years. The company operates with approximately 450 employees and produces on modern facilities. Their product portfolio centers on Camembert-based products (Obazda spreads, Camembert Creme, Back-Camembert, H-Camembert) and grilled/baked cheese specialties (Grill Käsegenuss, Back-Mozzarella, Back-Gouda). The company serves three main channels: Retail (consumer products), Foodservice (professional kitchen products), and International Business (export products). Products are distinguished by their 'Natürlich Alpenhain' quality seal featuring regional Alpine milk, careful production, and consistent quality checks. Key products include Original Obazda (Bavarian cheese spread, Germany's most popular), Camembert Creme (spreadable Camembert), Back-Camembert Classic (baked Camembert, 45 years on market), Grill Käsegenuss (grilling cheese), and various baked cheese products (Mozzarella sticks, Gouda nuggets, Brie tips). All products are vegetarian, many are lactose-free, and some have Halal certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Obazda Traditional Bavarian cheese spread made from a blend of soft cheeses, produced by Alpenhain for retail consumers and foodservice customers.
• Camembert Soft cheese specialty in multiple varieties, produced by Alpenhain for retail and foodservice channels.
• Back-Camembert (Baked Camembert) Oven-baked Camembert cheese product designed for convenient at-home preparation, sold to retail consumers and foodservice operators.
• Grill Käse (Grilled Cheese) Cheese specialty produced for grilling, supplied to retail and foodservice channels for barbecue and menu use.
• Käse-Snacks (Cheese Snacks) Cheese-based snack products, including baked cheese snacks, marketed to retail consumers for convenience and snack occasions.
• Foodservice Cheese Range (terrines, slices, bulk formats) Professional kitchen formats of Alpenhain's cheese specialties, including terrines, slices, and bulk packagings, designed for restaurants, catering, and system gastronomy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products without artificial additives, flavors, colors, or preservatives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Lactalis: World's largest dairy company, with a deep cheese portfolio (including Bavarian brands such as Champignon and Brunch). Comparable as a global cheese incumbent operating in the same Camembert, mozzarella, and specialty cheese categories.
• Savencia Fromage & Dairy: French multinational specialty cheese group operating across branded cheese, processed cheese, and dairy specialties globally. Comparable as a broader specialty cheese incumbent, though at significantly larger scale and international footprint.
• Bel Group: French multinational cheese and healthy snack company (The Laughing Cow, Babybel, GoGo squeeZ). Comparable as a global branded cheese player with overlapping baked/breaded cheese snack formats and direct foodservice presence.

Direct peers

• Hochland: German family-owned cheese manufacturer producing processed cheese, cream cheese, and specialty cheese for retail and foodservice. Directly comparable as a German Mittelstand cheese specialist targeting the same retail and foodservice channels with overlapping product formats.
• Ehrmann: German family-owned dairy company producing yogurt, desserts, and cheese-based products. Directly comparable as a German Mittelstand dairy business with retail and foodservice channels and a comparable employee scale.
• Bayernland: Bavarian dairy cooperative producing cheese, butter, and dairy specialties for regional and international distribution. Comparable as a Bavaria-anchored cheese producer with overlapping retail and export channels.
• Goldsteig Käsereien: Bavarian cheese manufacturer producing mozzarella, pizza cheese, and specialty cheeses for retail and foodservice. Comparable in geography, dairy processing capability, and B2B foodservice positioning.
• Privatmolkerei Bauer: German family-owned dairy company producing cheese, whey, and dairy specialties for retail and B2B. Comparable as a German Mittelstand dairy peer with similar channel mix and specialty cheese positioning.
• Bergader: Bavarian family-owned cheese manufacturer specializing in soft and specialty cheeses (including Obazda-style products). Directly comparable given shared Bavarian heritage, German retail and foodservice focus, and similar specialty cheese portfolio.
• Meggle: German/Bavarian dairy company operating across cheese, butter, whey and processed dairy ingredients. Comparable as a regional Bavarian dairy processor with traditional cheese offerings and an international footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/alpenhain.original

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alpenhain