BUILDING ON THE TRADITION OF SWISS DAIRY PRODUCTS The Elsa-Mifroma Group, the dairy products arm of Switzerland’s largest employer, is preparing to bring its extensive range of high-quality, sustainably produced milk, cheese and yoghurts to a wider geographical market. Following an interview with CEO Matthew Robin, Emma-Jane Batey reports for Industry Europe.
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part of one of the seven business segments that make up Migros Industry, one of Switzerland’s largest enterprises and the country’s biggest employer, the Elsa-Mifroma Group represents the milk products segment. Based in the west of Switzerland, the ElsaMifroma Group benefits from the unique structure of its parent company, Migros, which has been run as a cooperative since it was founded in 1925. Sustainable development throughout the following 85 years has played an important role in establishing and maintaining the market-leading positions held across the group, as the Elsa-Mifroma Group CEO, Matthew Robin, explained. He said, “We are a proud Swiss company with a long-term focus on durable production.
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That means sustainability in everything we do, not just now because it is fashionable but because it is the right thing to do for our country, our employees and our products.”
Commitment to sustainability The dedication to durable production underpins every aspect of the Elsa-Mifroma Group. The Migros philosophy and not being a publically listed company enables the Elsa-Mifroma Group to focus on what it believes makes for a more sustainable, socially responsible business, while still making adequate profits that can be reinvested to further develop the business. Mr Robin added, “It’s ironic that by not focusing only on profit maximisation, we actually end up making good profits. But that is the beauty of running a large-scale
business, or indeed any business, in a socially conscious, ethically managed way – it is rewarding in so many ways. Our philosophy has always been to provide good quality, high standard products at a reasonable price in a responsible manner, and by doing so we have created a very successful industrial group.” The range of dairy products offered by the Elsa-Mifroma Group includes milk and cream, yoghurts, desserts and fresh cheese, and the company also makes soya products, salad dressings, sauces and mayonnaise. With more than 300 cheeses in its portfolio, the Elsa-Mifroma Group is a principal provider of cheese to the Swiss market, with a growing presence in the neighbouring countries. Upholding the Swiss tradition of producing delicious dairy products using high-quality milk
