Arla Foods Ingredients supplies large volumes of whey-based ingredients to Storck in Germany but a strong relationship is still the most important commodity of all

What could have been a relationship based on pure commodity sales has developed into much more between the Germany-based confectionery group Storck and Arla Foods Ingredients. Today Arla Foods Ingredients is the most important supplier of whey protein concentrate (WPC) for Toffifee, Riesen and other products in Storck’s stable of well-known brands.
According to purchasing director at Storck, Arne Russ, the WPC produced at Biolac Arla Foods Ingredients’ joint venture plant in Germany - has important value-adding functionality. Biolac’s technology puts them ahead of their competitors in this respect, he says.
As legislation forbids the use of whey proteins in pure chocolate, Storck employs WPC for the replacement of skimmed milk powder in chocolate fillings a strategy that both cuts raw material costs and provides a number of functional benefits.
More than a decade has passed since Storck began replacing skimmed milk with WPC 35 supplied by Biolac. We have grown, and Biolac has grown with our demands for skimmed milk replacer, says Arne Russ.

The right credentials
In addition to WPC, Biolac supplies Storck with large quantities of lactose on the face of it, another commodity product but where a good price is not the only criterion for the family-owned confectionery business.

At Storck, we demand very high quality. We regularly perform supplier audits to get an idea of our suppliers’ production and in-house know-how. Sometimes we also ask for urgent deliveries to arrive within one or two days, Arne Russ explains. Here, because of the way they run their business, Arla Foods Ingredients is a good partner that shows concern for its customers.
Due to the ongoing consolidation within the European dairy and dairy ingredients industry, Storck is now working to identify the strategic partners that can meet the company’s needs in the years ahead. The Arla Foods group is of particular interest.
Arla Foods is one of the biggest milk producers in Europe and, for us, represents partnership continuity. Over the past couple of years, we have also had a stronger R&D focus on milk, which has made us more aware of Arla Foods’ large R&D department.

Milk workshop
In 2005, members of Storck’s R&D team attended an Arla Foods Ingredients workshop in Denmark to gain increased knowledge about milk, whey and other milk-based ingredients. We certainly believe that if we need information about milk, we can go to Arla, says Arne Russ.
A company with established brands that are known and loved by consumers in more than 90 countries, Storck has strong traditions. Ongoing innovation is one of them. As far back as 1962, the company displayed impressive foresight with the launch of the vitamin-enriched fruit sweets, Nimm2 way preceding the current trend for functional food. An innovative partnership with Arla Foods Ingredients is among the possibilities that could see more functional products from Storck develop in the future. Only time and continuing close relations will tell.