Co-operation and farmers

• Co-operation

• Key figures

FrieslandCampina is the world’s largest dairy co-operative. We have 15,300 member farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, and more than 130 years of experience of co-operative entrepreneurship.

Our member farmers own and supervise our company. Each of them is committed as only a business owner can be, working hard to supply the best quality milk, and helping us to transform it into endless possibilities through our company. Their company. When FrieslandCampina performs well, our member farmers benefit too. Our co-operative structure motivates every one of us to act in the best interests of the company.  

We believe in this structure because we know from experience that a company performs better when its goals are aligned with those of its people.   

We aim to run our company well, using transparent governance structures and communication tools to keep our member farmers involved in our businesses. They engage themselves with FrieslandCampina through regional district councils of members. These districts councils act as our local representatives. 

In several countries we collaborate with local farmers who are not co-owners in the business but are nevertheless in a long-term partnership with us. They benefit from our expertise throughout the dairy chain. 

Togetherness in our products 
Dairy products begin on our farms, not in our factories. In some cases farmers work closely with us to produce specific milk types by giving their cows special feed and meeting our quality requirements. These lead to unique products like Campina milk with an adapted fatty acid composition, sustainable Landliebe milk, distinctive Deichgold Waddensea cheese and organic milk. 
 
We believe in togetherness with consumers too, because a co-operative is about reaching out to our stakeholders. Many of our farmers regularly invite school children onto their farms and hold open days, which we advertise on our websites.

Showing our ownership 
You might get the impression that we’re all one big family at FrieslandCampina. That’s true – but each of us also takes responsibility and ownership for our part in the journey of milk from cow to consumer.    
Our co-operative works because we involve our member farmers in supervision as well as continuous dialogue. We value clear roles and goals, communication, strong personal input and skills, taking ownership and, above all, loyalty to one another. 
 
Our collaborative structure means working together is at the heart of our organisation. Togetherness is in all that we do, from the farm to you. 
Our co-operative heritage influences how we co-operate in joint ventures, co-innovation projects and regional social development, as well as with our consumers.

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