Tönnies changes name, logo and scope of operations

Tönnies wants to be more than just a meat company

Nothing should change for suppliers such as farmers, but also for customers, managing director Dr. Gereon Schulze Althoff said.

The reason for the name change is the company’s strategic direction. The new name Premium Food Group is intended to make it clear that the group is not just a slaughtering and meat company, but also an increasingly versatile food producer.

In addition to meat and sausage products, the group of companies also wants to produce vegetarian products, prepared foods, animal feed, sauces, soups, by-products such as proteins, fats and flour, as well as provide raw materials for the pharmaceutical and biofuel industries, operate cold storage facilities and own a logistics company.

The Tönnies brand will remain in the meat business

The Premium Food Group name will include only the holding company and two central service companies (Central Services and Business Solutions). The operating units will retain their names and brands.

The Tönnies brand will remain in the fresh pork and beef business. Nevertheless, PFG’s new logo will soon appear at its headquarters in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. The well-known Tönnies logo has already been removed from the roof of a large cold storage facility some time ago.

The holding company’s office is investigating the acquisition of the Vion plant

We are taking on a broader business and making it visible,” said Schulte Althoff. At the same time, he stressed that the name change does not mean turning away from meat. Meat production remains a core business.

In this business area, the company’s management is hoping for an early decision from the Federal Cartel Office to acquire Vion’s locations in Buchloe, Waldkraiburg, Crailsheim, Hilden and Eching-Weixerau. The planned merger was registered with the Cartel Office on September 25.

Tönnies wants to expand in the Westphalian spirit

Schulze Althoff has ruled out rapid international expansion into new business areas of the future Premium Food Holding. The company is open to further development, including in new business areas, but with the necessary “Westphalian down-to-earthness,” Schulze Althoff said.

The core market for the group remains Germany. Last year, €4.16 billion of the group’s total sales of €7.3 billion were generated there.