Them Andelsmejeri

What Them Andelsmejeri does

Them Andelsmejeri is a Danish cooperative dairy founded in 1888, headquartered in Them, Denmark. It produces premium artisanal cheeses from cow's milk supplied by 13 farmer-owners operating farms within a 25 km radius. Annual milk processing reached 67 million kg as of 2018, with output dedicated to aged and specialty cheeses, including the EU Protected Geographical Indication (BGM) Danbo range. The cooperative holds multiple third-party certifications relevant to food safety, environmental management, and animal welfare, including IFS, ISO 14001, Cradle to Cradle, BGM (PGI), and Dyrenes Beskyttelse.

The company commercialises output across five distinct channels: an on-site retail shop, domestic wholesale through the Them Ost / Werner Ost brand, a foodservice channel managed by a dedicated Key Account Manager, large Danish retail chains (REMA 1000 for the Madspildsoste food-waste line; Salling Group banners Netto, Bilka, and Føtex for the Søhøjland organic premium line), and international export through Dairy 1888, a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2017 to serve Asian markets (primarily China) across both cheese and infant-formula verticals. Headcount stands at 11–50 staff on top of the 13 farmer-owners.

The cooperative is privately held by its farmer-members and does not disclose revenue. Its commercial positioning rests on provenance (BGM/PGI protection, regional supply), heritage (130+ years of continuous operation), sustainability credentials, and certified quality frameworks rather than on scale or cost leadership. Recent years have added product-line extensions (Madspildsoste 2021, Søhøjland 2022), a full brand rebrand (2020), and a reverse-osmosis installation for whey value recovery (2019), alongside the 2019 restructuring of the membership base.

Name

Them Andelsmejeri

Legal name

Them Andelsmejeri

Website

https://them-andelsmejeri.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Them Andelsmejeri is a Danish cooperative dairy founded in 1888 that produces premium artisanal cheeses from milk supplied by 13 regional farmer-owners, selling through Danish retail, foodservice, wholesale, on-site shop, and an Asian export subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Products

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529), Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Dairy Ingredients (Whey, Lactose, Milk Powders) Wholesale (AFAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Artisanal cheese production
• Cooperative dairy products
• Danbo cheese manufacturing
• Organic dairy farming
• Premium specialty cheeses

Headquarters

HQ city

Denmark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Cheese Production and Sales: Primary revenue stream from producing and selling a variety of Danish cheeses including yellow/Danbo cheeses, specialty cheeses, premium cheeses, Havarti, Samsø, and award-winning varieties. Products sold through retail partners, own shop, wholesale, and foodservice channels.
2. Organic Infant Formula Export: Through subsidiary Dairy 1888, exports organic infant formula to China. Within two years expanded to related product range.
3. Whey and Cream By-products: Excess cream sold to other dairies for butter production. Whey processed at protein factory in Videbæk for protein products. RO plant reduces transportation but continues whey sales.
4. Milk Powder and Cheese Export (Asia): Dairy 1888 exports milk powder under brands Them 1888 and Sommerbjerg, plus cheese products to Asian markets, primarily China.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Them Andelsmejeri is a farmer-owned cooperative dairy founded in 1888 that produces premium artisanal cheeses from cow's milk sourced exclusively from its 13 member-owner farms within 25 km of the dairy. The product range spans Danbo-style yellow cheeses, specialty varieties, premium small-batch cheeses, Havarti, Samsø, and a Søhøjland organic premium line, distributed via retail chains, the cooperative's own cheese shop, wholesale, foodservice, and export channels.

Product overview

Them Andelsmejeri is a Danish cooperative dairy founded in 1888, producing a variety of cheese products from milk sourced from 13 farms (6 organic). The core product line consists of Danbo-style yellow cheeses sold under the Guld (Gold), Fætter Kras, and Kras (XL/XXL/XXXL) sub-brands. The specialty cheese range includes Gudenå varieties, Ørnsø Rødkit, Jysk Alpe, Humle, Krystal varieties, Tårn, Gran, and Knas. Premium offerings feature Tollund Krystal, Julsø Solbær, and Karlsø Kaprin. Additional products include Havarti and Samsø varieties, the Søhøjland organic premium sub-brand distributed through Salling Group, award-winning cheeses recognized at Food Contest and Kulinarisk Sydfyn, and the Madspildsoste food waste initiative sold through REMA 1000.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Søhøjland: A carefully selected special range of unique organic premium cheeses sold through Salling Group stores (Netto, Bilka, Føtex).
• Dairy 1888

Products and services

• Gul ost (Yellow/Danbo Cheese Range) Family of Danbo-style yellow cheeses in mild to extra-strong maturation profiles, including Guld (Gold), Økologisk Guld, Skum & Mini, Økologisk Skole, Fætter Kras (signature cheese), Kras XL, Kras XX-Lagret, and Kras XXX-Lagret. Available in 10+, 20+, 30+, and 45+ fat variants and with/without caraway; organic and conventional versions offered. Intended for household, school-lunch, and everyday cooking use.
• Specialoste (Specialty Cheeses) Region- and recipe-inspired specialty cheeses including Gudenå Glød, Gudenå Gylden, Gudenå Guld, Ørnsø Rødkit, Jysk Alpe, Humle, Gul Krystal, Rød Krystal, Tårn, Gran, Knas, and Tollund Kræm. Targeted at cheese-board, gourmet cooking, wine pairing, and special-occasion consumers.
• Premiumoste (Premium Small-Batch Cheeses) Handmade, small-batch premium cheeses including Tollund Krystal, Julsø Solbær (black currant), and Karlsø Kaprin, some aged more than a year. Aimed at premium and gifting consumers.
• Andre oste (Havarti and Samsø Cheeses) Mild Havarti, Lagret Havarti (aged), Økologisk Samsø 30+, and Økologisk Samsø 45+ cheeses in conventional and organic variants. For everyday use and pairings.
• Søhøjland Organic Premium Cheese Line Carefully selected specialty range of unique organic premium cheeses sold exclusively through Salling Group stores (Netto, Bilka, Føtex), including Søhøjland Krystal, Søhøjland Umami, and Søhøjland Kræmet. Targeted at premium organic consumers.
• Prisvindere (Award-Winning Cheeses) Collection of cheeses recognized at Food Contest and Kulinarisk Sydfyn competitions, including Tollund Kræm, Ørnsø Rødkit, Jysk Alpe, Guld, Gul Rød Krystal, and Fætter Kras. Marketed for their award credentials.
• Madspildsoste (Food Waste Cheeses) Cheeses that do not meet standard weight specifications, sold exclusively at selected REMA 1000 stores. Includes Guld 45+, Fætter Kras 45+, and Kras 45+. Identical taste to standard products; positioned to combat food waste.
• Ostebutikken (On-site Cheese Shop) Physical retail store and online webshop (ostebutikken.dk) at the dairy in Them selling exclusive cheeses, limited editions, and the full product range directly to consumers.
• Dairy 1888 Export Products Through subsidiary Dairy 1888, Them Andelsmejeri exports organic cheeses, milk powder (brands Them 1888 and Sommerbjerg), and organic infant formula to Asia, primarily China. Includes the dairy's first-in-the-world certified organic cheese offering for the Chinese market.

Quantifiable outcome

• 79% CO2e reduction achieved by 2021
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• REMA 1000coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Partnership to combat food waste by selling 'Madspildsoste' (food waste cheeses) - cheeses that don't meet standard weight but have identical taste. Products sold exclusively at REMA 1000 stores. Launched together with Stop Spild af Mad association.
• Stop Spild af MadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Danish food waste organization partnering with Them Andelsmejeri and REMA 1000 to reduce food waste through the Madspildsoste product line.
• Salling Group (Netto, Bilka, Føtex)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSalling Group distributes the Søhøjland organic premium cheese line through their retail chains across Denmark.
• Økologisk LandsforeningmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on developing climate action plan. Partnered with SEGES to create a plan for drastic reduction of climate footprint from cheese production.
• SEGESmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural knowledge and innovation center that collaborated with Them Andelsmejeri and Økologisk Landsforening to develop the dairy's 2021 climate action plan.
• Them Ost – Werner OstcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale company established in 1988 to provide nationwide distribution of Them Andelsmejeri products throughout Denmark.
• Dyrenes BeskyttelseminorOthersDenmark's largest animal welfare organization that certified Them's organic cheeses, confirming high animal welfare standards on partner farms.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Naturmælk: Danish organic cooperative dairy producing milk, butter, and cheese from organic farms. Comparable in cooperative structure, organic focus, and small-batch positioning, though with broader product portfolio beyond cheese.
• Thise Mejeri: Danish farmer-owned cooperative dairy producing organic and conventional cheese and dairy products with nationwide retail distribution. Closely comparable in cooperative structure, Danish origin, focus on quality and sustainability, and similar retail channel mix.

Broad incumbents

• Emmi Group: Swiss dairy processor with a strong premium and specialty cheese portfolio including international cheese brands. Comparable in focus on specialty/artisanal cheese categories and export-oriented premium positioning, though at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Savencia Fromage & Dairy: French multinational specializing in cheese and dairy products with premium and branded cheese portfolio across Europe. Comparable focus on branded specialty cheeses and B2B/retail dual channel, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Castello (Arla brand): Arla-owned premium Danish cheese brand specializing in specialty and aged cheeses including blue and Havarti varieties. Direct competitor in Danish premium cheese shelf space and similar specialty/artisanal positioning, with backing of a much larger cooperative.
• Lactalis: World's largest dairy company and major cheese producer across Europe including premium and specialty cheese brands. Competes in export channels and broader European cheese retail, though much broader portfolio spanning fluid milk, cheese, and ingredients.
• Arla Foods: Largest dairy cooperative in Europe and dominant Danish dairy player, producing Danbo and other cheeses under brands like Castello. Competes broadly for Danish cheese shelf space but operates at vastly greater scale and offers a full dairy portfolio beyond cheese.
• FrieslandCampina: Large Dutch dairy cooperative with significant cheese production including branded specialty cheeses. Comparable in cooperative ownership model and broad dairy portfolio, but at substantially greater scale and international footprint.

Emerging players

• Stonyfield Farm: Organic dairy brand focused on organic yogurt and dairy products with strong sustainability credentials. Compares on organic certification, sustainability storytelling, and ESG positioning, though focused on US market and primarily yogurt category.

Others

• Andersen Cheese: Danish cheese retailer and distributor specializing in imported and domestic specialty cheeses, operating Ostebutikken-style outlets. Comparable as a Danish specialty cheese retail/distribution channel player, though primarily a retailer rather than producer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Them-Ost-846777005370060
• Instagraminstagram.com/them_andelsmejeri

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Them Andelsmejeri