Them Dairy will now ensure that more than 130 years of cheese-making history is preserved in Denmark through Arla.

Tuesday turned out to be quite an extraordinary day for Them Dairy and its cooperative members. They have reached an agreement with Arla Foods, meaning that the 12 cooperative owners will now become part of Arla, which will continue producing Them cheeses.

• This is, of course, a special day, but I have no doubt that this is absolutely the right solution for our cooperative members and for our business, says Søren Hansen, CEO of Them Dairy.

He explains that in the spring of 2024, Them Dairy reached out to Arla to explore whether Arla would be willing to welcome Them’s cooperative members into the Arla community and take on responsibility for the future production of Them cheeses. This was announced by Arla Foods in a press release.

The inquiry was well received, and Them and Arla have now agreed on the terms of a deal that means Arla will take responsibility for ensuring that Them cheeses continue to be available in Danish supermarkets in the future.

• Our owners have concluded that we need a larger partner to secure the continued development of our business. That’s why we explored the market to find the ideal match. We found that in Arla, and I’m pleased we’ve reached an agreement that allows Them’s cooperative members to continue as members of Arla, says Søren Hansen.

Them Dairy primarily produces yellow cheese, and Arla Denmark’s Country Director, Henrik Lilballe Hansen, is looking forward to welcoming the 12 new cooperative members and including Them cheeses in Arla’s product range.

• Them is a brand rich in tradition in Denmark, and when the inquiry came, I had no doubt that it made sense for both Arla and Them to ensure the brand’s continued existence as part of the Arla family, says Henrik Lilballe Hansen.

The agreement between Them Dairy and Arla Foods are subject to approval by the Danish competition authorities.

Photo: Collage Mejerimedier – Andelsmejeriet Them & Arla Foods