Schwarzwaldmilch Takes Over The Bauhofer Cheese Dairy

Integration for sustainable growth in the cheese segment

The Schwarzwaldmilch Group continues its growth trajectory and acquires the Bauhofer cheese dairy, located in the Allgäu region of Württemberg. This acquisition expands the Freiburg-based dairy's group to include the cheese business – further diversifying its operations and enabling value-creating and sustainable growth in the important cheese segment.

Long history, shared values: “With the acquisition of Käserei Bauhofer, we are taking over a company with a 115-year tradition and values ​​that align with our own. Rooted in strong regional connections, the company is orienting itself innovatively to ensure its future viability and to process the valuable raw material, milk, into high-quality products,” emphasizes Markus Kaiser, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Schwarzwaldmilch Group. The Freiburg dairy was founded in 1930 and is still cooperatively owned by the approximately 800 Schwarzwaldmilch farms. As a branded dairy, the company focuses on the Schwarzwaldmilch, Schwarzwaldmilch Protein, and LAC lactose-free brands. Among other things, the Freiburg-based company is the national market leader in the segments of pasture-raised milk, organic milk, protein milk, and the entire lactose-free white milk category.¹

The Bauhofer cheese dairy is located in Bodnegg in the Allgäu region of Württemberg. The family business is now run by the third and fourth generations, respectively, by senior manager Martin and his son Michael Bauhofer. The dairy is known for its Allgäu Emmentaler, mountain cheese, and semi-hard cheeses, which are based on traditional recipes and artisanal craftsmanship. At the same time, they are exploring new avenues – for example, with their innovative Airfryer cheese mix and Chef's Selection Halloween cheese.

Growth and Added Value: The Schwarzwaldmilch Group, with its locations in Freiburg and Offenburg, collected and processed approximately 260 million kg of milk in 2025 with 430 employees, while the Bauhofer cheese dairy, with 50 employees, collected and processed approximately 20 million kg of milk. Together, the two companies generated more than €290M in revenue last year. "We know our company, our employees, and our product range are in good hands with the Schwarzwaldmilch Group, as they think in terms of generations, prioritize the highest quality and innovation, and maintain a strong regional commitment," said Martin and Michael Bauhofer, the two managing directors of the Bauhofer cheese dairy. Both will continue to serve as managing directors of the Bauhofer cheese dairy.

“The acquisition, with the brand expertise of the Schwarzwaldmilch Group and the cheese-making know-how of the Bauhofer dairy, puts us in a position to expand the company’s sales and revenue in the coming years and further strengthen its profitability,” explains Andreas Schneider, Managing Director of the Schwarzwaldmilch Group. “With our three locations in Freiburg, Offenburg, and Bodnegg, each with its own specialization, we are ideally diversified and well-equipped for different market conditions. Furthermore, this allows us to consistently pursue our strategy of value creation through branding, strengthen our market position, and appropriately refine the raw material, milk,” Schneider continues.

¹Source: Nielsen: LEH+DM, White goods incl. butter, Sales development, MAT CW 52.2025