Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.v.

What Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.v. does

Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.V. is a Dutch cheese production company headquartered at Schoonrewoerd, Netherlands, operating three production facilities at Schoonrewoerd, Dalfsen, and Wageningen with approximately 438 employees. Founded in 1914 as a milk powder factory, the company has evolved into a substantial branded and B2B cheese producer, manufacturing 24/7 from cow's milk sourced from Dutch dairy farmers operating under the KKM quality assurance scheme and Weidegang pasture-grazing certification.

The company's product portfolio spans the proprietary Leerdammer® brand (Original, Light, Caractère, Delacrème, and the newly launched Extra Mild variant), a proprietary holey cheese developed in the 1970s with the Netherlands Institute for Dairy Research (NIZO), available in 46 countries across Europe and beyond. It also produces private-label cheeses (Maasdam, Gouda, Emmental) for B2B customers, trading brand cheeses under Lactalis's international portfolio including Président, and the company's own brands Venner and Mariëntal for Maasdam wheels. The Wageningen facility packages approximately 23,000 tons of cheese annually. Production processes use automated cheese-making installations, foil-wrapped aging, and dedicated cutting and packaging lines, supported by an in-house R&D department with a pilot plant at Schoonrewoerd headquarters.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) branded Leerdammer product sales through retail and supermarket channels internationally; (2) private-label cheese manufacturing for B2B customers under their brand labels; (3) trading brand cheese production including Président and own brands Venner and Mariëntal; and (4) sale of by-products (cream, whey, cheese sidestreams) to B2B markets. Distribution to 46 countries is supported by parent company Lactalis's international infrastructure, with primary markets in Germany, France, and Italy. Since 2021, the company has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company operating 267 factories in 49 countries with approximately 90,000 employees. Customer segments are split horizontally between B2B retailers/distributors and enterprise B2B private label customers.

Name

Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.v.

Legal name

Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.V.

Website

https://lactalis.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.V. is a Dutch cheese producer founded in 1914, operating three production facilities with 438 employees. It manufactures the branded Leerdammer cheese (sold in 46 countries) plus private-label and trading brand cheeses for B2B customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cheese Manufacturing

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Label & Contract Cheese Manufacturing (AFAHABAJ), Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB), Cheese Byproduct & Waste Stream Processing (Whey Routing, Brine Management) (AFAHABAK)

Keywords

• Dairy cheese production
• Branded cheese manufacturing
• Private label cheese
• Dutch cheese varieties
• Bulk cheese supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Schoonrewoerd

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Branded Leerdammer product sales: Production and sale of Leerdammer branded cheese products across 46 countries through retail and supermarket channels. Leerdammer is the flagship A-brand and absolute number 1 in Lactalis's hard cheese assortment.
2. Private Label cheese production: Custom cheese production for B2B customers under their own brand labels, including types such as Maasdam, Gouda, and Emmental in wheels or blocks.
3. Trading brand cheese production: Production of cheese under strong internationally known Lactalis brands including President, as well as own brands Venner and Mariëntal for Maasdam wheels.
4. By-products sales: Sale of cream (room), whey (wei), and cheese serum (zijstroom kaas) as by-products from cheese production processes to B2B market.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Royal Lactalis Leerdammer produces Leerdammer branded cheese (Original, Light, Caractère, Delacrème, Extra Mild) and manufactures trade and private-label cheeses, including Maasdam, Gouda, and Emmental, from cow's milk. The company operates three production sites in the Netherlands (Schoonrewoerd, Dalfsen, Wageningen) for cheese production, ripening, slicing, and packaging, and sells by-products (cream, whey, cheese sidestreams) to B2B markets.

Product overview

Royal Lactalis Leerdammer is a cheese production company with three production locations in the Netherlands (Schoonrewoerd, Dalfsen, and Wageningen). The company operates a dual product strategy: (1) branded consumer products centered around the Leerdammer® flagship brand, available in five varieties (Original, Light, Caractère, Delacrème, and Extra Mild) sold in over 40 countries; and (2) B2B products including Maasdam, Gouda, and Emmental cheeses produced under their own Venner and Mariental brands or as private label offerings for business customers. The company also generates revenue from dairy by-products (cream, whey, and cheese sidestreams) sold to B2B markets. All products are produced 24/7 using high-quality cow's milk from dairy farmers, with cutting and packaging operations centralized in Wageningen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Leerdammer: The primary A-brand holey cheese with a creamy texture and a unique, mild and nutty taste with a hint of sweet. Available in multiple flavours including Original, Light, Caractère, Delacrème, and Extra Mild.
• President
• Venner
• Mariëntal

Products and services

• Leerdammer Original The flagship Leerdammer cheese variety: a distinctive holey cheese with a creamy texture and unique, mild and nutty taste with a hint of sweetness, made from high-quality cow's milk. Available in slices, burgers, cheese pops, and spreadable formats. Sold in 46 countries and market leader in sliced cheese in France, Italy, UK, and Belgium. Won Gold at the 2025 International Cheese & Dairy Awards in the Sliced Cheese category.
• Leerdammer Light Lower-fat variant of the classic Leerdammer cheese, maintaining the characteristic mild and nutty taste. Part of the Leerdammer branded product lineup for retail consumers.
• Leerdammer Caractère Premium cheese variety in the Leerdammer assortment with a more pronounced, characteristic flavor profile. Multiple award winner including Bronze at the 37th World Cheese Awards 2025 in Bern (semi hard/hard cheese category) and Bronze at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards 2025 (Best Dutch Cheese category).
• Leerdammer Delacrème Premium cream cheese variant in the Leerdammer assortment, offering a richer, creamier texture suited for spreadable applications.
• Leerdammer Extra Mild New cheese variety suitable for families with young children seeking an extra mild and creamy taste. Introduced in Germany first, then launched in the Netherlands in spring 2025/2026. Targets the growing segment of mild cheeses.
• Maasdam (B2B production) Traditional Dutch Maasdam cheese produced in wheels or blocks for B2B customers. Produced under own brands Venner and Mariental for the Dutch market, and also available for private label production.
• Gouda (B2B production) Traditional Dutch Gouda cheese produced in wheels or blocks on request for B2B customers. Available as private label or trade brand production.
• Emmental (B2B production) Emmental cheese produced in wheels or blocks on request for B2B customers. Available as private label or trade brand production.
• Private Label Cheese Production Service Comprehensive private label cheese production service for B2B customers. Royal Lactalis Leerdammer creates products that align with customer brand identity and market needs, produced in wheels, blocks, or slices across various cheese types (Maasdam, Gouda, Emmental).
• Cheese Production By-Products (Cream, Whey, Cheese Sidestream) Sale of dairy by-products from cheese production: cream (room), whey (wei), and cheese sidestream (zijstroom kaas), available for sale on the B2B market. GMP+ certified, enabling use in animal feed and contributing to food waste reduction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Leerdammer won 2025 International Cheese & Dairy Awards Gold for Leerdammer Original (Sliced Cheese category) and Bronze for Leerdammer Caractère (Best Dutch Cheese category)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stichting WeidegangcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Lactalis Leerdammer participates in the Weidegang (pasture-grazing) certification scheme managed by Stichting Weidegang. This covers the entire chain from milk collection at farms, transport to factory, and processing into cheese, ensuring products meet pasture-grazing standards. Certificates issued for milk production, collection/transport, cheese production in Schoonrewoerd and Dalfsen, and processing into sliced cheese in Wageningen.
• QlipcoreOthersQlip is an independent laboratory that tests the milk from every milk farm supplying Royal Lactalis Leerdammer. Additionally, direct tests are performed upon milk delivery at the factory to ensure the milk is suitable for cheese production. Qlip provides the quality assurance testing component of the Keten Kwaliteit Melk (KKM) quality assurance system.
• Keten Kwaliteit Melk (KKM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll milk farmers supplying Royal Lactalis Leerdammer comply with the Keten Kwaliteit Melk (KKM) quality assurance scheme, which is the overarching quality assurance for milk in the Dutch dairy chain. KKM ensures safe, responsible, and high-quality milk production.
• Melkveehouders (Dairy Farmers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoyal Lactalis Leerdammer has worked with entrepreneurial dairy farmers for over 100 years. Farmers supply quality milk under the 'Doen wat werkt' (Do what works) partnership model. The company offers competitive transparent milk pricing, quality premiums, Weidegang allowances, and the Duurzaam Leerdammer sustainability program. Farmers maintain free entrepreneurship while meeting quality and sustainability requirements.
• Knowledge partners (training and education)minorOthersRoyal Lactalis Leerdammer offers dairy farmers an extensive range of knowledge products in the form of knowledge sessions, workshops, and individual advice, often supported by knowledge partners. For employee development, the company operates a Learning Factory and partners with educational institutions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Arla Foods: Arla Foods is a large European dairy cooperative producing cheese (e.g., Castello, Apetina), butter, and milk across multiple European and international markets. While its portfolio is much broader than Royal Lactalis Leerdammer's, Arla is a major branded and private label cheese producer with overlapping retail customers and similar B2B/private label dynamics.
• Glanbia plc: Glanbia is an Irish dairy and nutrition group with branded cheese and ingredients operations, as well as significant B2B capabilities. While its primary cheese presence is more limited than Royal Lactalis Leerdammer's, its dairy ingredients (whey) business is directly comparable to Royal Lactalis Leerdammer's by-product (whey/cream/sidestream) sales.
• Saputo Inc. Saputo is a large North American and international dairy producer with branded cheese, butter, and dairy ingredients. Its European operations (e.g., Saputo Dairy UK) overlap with Royal Lactalis Leerdammer in private label and branded cheese, and it serves as a comparable on scale, capital intensity, and multi-format cheese manufacturing.

Direct peers

• Bel Group: Bel Group (The Laughing Cow, Babybel, Boursin) was Royal Lactalis Leerdammer's previous owner from 2002 to 2021. It is a major European branded cheese producer with overlapping target markets and B2B/private label capabilities, making it a direct comparable in branded sliced and portioned cheese.
• DMK Group: DMK is Germany's largest dairy cooperative, producing branded and private label cheese (e.g., Milram cheese brand) for German and European retail. It directly competes with Royal Lactalis Leerdammer in German retail, where Leerdammer is a leading imported sliced cheese brand.
• Hochland: Hochland is a German family-owned cheese manufacturer specializing in processed and sliced cheese (e.g., Hochland cream cheese, Almette). It directly competes with Leerdammer in European retail cheese slices and operates private label production for retailers across multiple European markets.
• Savencia Fromage & Dairy: Savencia is a major French cheese group producing branded cheese (Saint Albray, Caprice des Dieux, Etorki) and supplying private label cheese across Europe. It competes directly with Royal Lactalis Leerdammer in branded sliced and specialty cheese categories across similar retail channels.
• FrieslandCampina: FrieslandCampina is the largest Dutch dairy cooperative, producing a broad portfolio of branded cheeses (Goudse, Maasdam, Dutch brands) and private label cheese. Like Royal Lactalis Leerdammer, it operates Dutch production facilities supplying both branded and B2B cheese globally, and is one of the closest direct competitors in the Dutch semi-hard and Gouda/Maasdam categories.

Regional players

• Granarolo: Granarolo is the largest Italian dairy cooperative, producing branded cheese (e.g., Galbani competitor in slices), butter, and milk primarily for the Italian market. It competes with Leerdammer in Italian retail slices and offers comparable private label dairy capabilities in Southern Europe.
• Emmi Group: Emmi is a Swiss dairy processor producing branded cheese (including Swiss cheese specialties) and supplying private label dairy across Europe. Like Royal Lactalis Leerdammer, it focuses on semi-hard and specialty cheeses from cow's milk and serves retail and B2B customers, primarily in European markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/royallactalisleerdammer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/royal-lactalis-leerdammer
• Instagraminstagram.com/royallactalisleerdammer

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Royal Lactalis Leerdammer B.v.