1927
The success story begins
Two brothers-in-law, Georg Summer and Robert Reich, had a shared vision: to establish the Hochland cheese factory in Goßholz near Lindenberg in the Allgäu region. There, they planned to produce their then-innovative product, processed cheese. They were able to source sufficient raw materials for this from the region.
1928
The product range is expanding
Following the successful launch of a 2-kilogram block of processed cheese, the product line was quickly expanded. The first processed cheese wedges were produced and packaged in round and half-round tins. To this day, the round tin remains one of the “classics” in Hochland’s product range.
1931
Moving to Heimenkirch
Due to a crisis in the hat industry, a large production facility in the neighboring town of Heimenkirch became available. The two young entrepreneurs seized the opportunity and relocated their production there. The company’s headquarters are still located there today.
1942
Another owner is joining the group
Hochland and the Fuchs Canned Cheese Factory are merging. Franz Fuchs is now joining Georg Summer and Robert Reich as the third owner of the company. Their new partnership is characterized by a shared enthusiasm for the company and the same pioneering spirit.
1956
Site Expansion in Heimenkirch
The product range is growing, and so is the space required: to accommodate the packaging of natural cheese in slices and chunks, the building is being expanded for the first time.
1968
Generational transition
The next generation of company leadership has taken the helm. The pioneering spirit remains the same. With the founding of the sales company Hochland France, Hochland is taking its first step into the international market.
1970
Digitalization is on the rise
Digitalization has played a role at Hochland from the very beginning. The company installed what was then the most advanced computer-controlled warehouse system based on the "first-in, first-out" principle.
1974
In-house mechanical engineering
To produce cheese, Hochland needs specialized machinery that isn't available on the global market. So Hochland simply decided to build the machines itself. This marked the beginning of the engineering firm Natec.
1975
The factory grounds in Heimenkirch are expanding once again
The second expansion of the factory grounds in Heimenkirch has been completed. The new total area is approximately 14,000 m². Half of this space is dedicated to production, while the other half serves as storage space.
1978
Expertise in soft ripened cheese from France
Following its entry into the French cheese market in 1968, the company is now set to take the next step. Hochland is acquiring two Camembert dairies in France, including the Fromagerie Henri Hutin in Dieue-sur-Meuse, which was founded in 1922. The acquisition brings expertise in soft ripened cheese to the company.
1981
Expansion into Southern Europe
Through a subsidiary, Hochland is expanding its presence in Southern Europe and entering the Spanish market.
1988
Two cheese dairies are being added in Germany
Investments are also continuing in Germany: In Schongau and Steingaden, Hochland is acquiring two cheese dairies from the Ersten Bayerischen Butterwerks.
1993
Market entry in Poland
Following its expansion into Southern Europe, Hochland is now turning its attention to Central and Eastern Europe. With the establishment of Hochland Polska, the company is capitalizing on market opportunities it identified early on. Two years later, production begins at the Kaźmierz facility.
1995
A pioneer in sustainability
Hochland is a pioneer in the field of sustainability. Hochland is the first company in Germany’s dairy industry to be certified under the EU Organic Audit Regulation.
1997
New Plant in Schongau
The Schongau site is becoming the new home of our Almette and Patros brands. A state-of-the-art cheese factory for the production of white cheese and cream cheese is being built there.
1998
Market entry in Romania
The expansion in Central and Eastern Europe continues. With the establishment of Hochland România, the company now aims to tap into the Romanian market from its Sighişoara location.
1999
Growth in Romania
Hochland is expanding its presence in Romania through the acquisition of a cheese factory in Sovata. Hochland is becoming a AG, but will remain a family-owned business under the ownership of the three founding families – Reich, Summer, and Fuchs.
2000
Production in Russia
Following the successful sale of German products on the Russian market, Hochland began producing processed cheese in Raos, near Moscow, in order to be able to supply its customers directly in the future. Starting in 2003, production took place at its own newly built plant.
2002
Growth in Poland
In Poland, Hochland is acquiring a cheese factory in Węgrów that produces hard cheese, sliced cheese, and cream cheese.
2003
“Quantensprung” Project in Heimenkirch
Hochland is committed to its location in Heimenkirch. With an investment of more than 40 million euros and under the project name “Quantensprung,” the plant is being converted into a high-performance production facility for processed cheese.
2007
Hochland Deutschland GmbH Begins Operations
The newly founded Hochland Deutschland GmbH is taking over the German brand business. In addition, the company has moved into a new administrative building in Heimenkirch.
2008
A "Great Place to Work"
Hochland is participating in the “Great Place to Work” competition for the first time. As part of an independent survey, employees evaluate their employer. Their feedback has earned Hochland a spot among Germany’s 100 best employers.
2009
Grünländer expands the brand portfolio
Hochland is expanding its portfolio to include the Grünländer brand of hard and semi-hard cheese, which was previously part of the Bechtel Group.
2010
Change of corporate name to an SE
Hochland AG is changing its name and will operate as Hochland SE (Societas Europaea) going forward.
2011
Grünländer free of genetic engineering
Working closely with its farmers, Hochland is transitioning 100% of its Grünländer brand products to “non-GMO.”
2012
Growth in Russia
To better serve the Russian market with products from the Almette and Hochland brands, these products will now be manufactured directly in the country. To this end, Hochland has converted a former yogurt plant in Prokhorovka into a cream cheese factory.
2013
Gervais expands the brand portfolio
The brand family in Germany is growing: Hochland is expanding its portfolio with the Gervais brand and entering the market for cottage cheese and herb quark.
2015
Natec is expanding, and Simply V is joining the portfolio
Hochland Natec is expanding internationally: A new service company is being established in the U.S., and the company Gold Peg is being acquired in Australia. Gold Peg’s processed cheese cookers are expanding the product portfolio. With Simply V, Hochland is positioning itself in the market for vegan cheese alternatives.
2017
Transition in Schongau & Expansion in Russia
In Schongau, the entire production process is being converted to “GMO-free.” With the opening of another cheese factory in Belinsky, Hochland is entering the hard and semi-hard cheese market in Russia.
2018
Together Against Total Herbicides
Together with its milk suppliers in Schongau, Hochland opposes the use of total herbicides such as glyphosate, once again taking a leading role in this area. This also applies to fermentation substrate from certain biogas plants, which may contain microplastics that cows could ingest through their feed.
2019
Plant Expansion in Russia & "Great Place to Work"
Hochland Russland continues to grow: The plant in Prokhorovka becomes the group’s largest production facility for cream cheese. The two-year renovation of the Belinsky plant is completed. For the first time, the entire Hochland Group participates in the “Great Place to Work” competition.
2021
Gervais is now from Schongau
The Schongau plant is now producing Gervais cottage cheese in-house. Hochland Polska’s headquarters is moving to a modern office building in Poznań.
2022
New high-bay warehouse in Schongau
The new, fully automated high-bay warehouse with two climate zones is going into operation in Schongau. Storage capacity at the site is doubling to approximately 10,000 pallet spaces.
2023
Completion of construction work
In Heimenkirch, a staff parking garage equipped with electric vehicle charging stations and a solar power system is opening, and the renovation of the shipping building has been completed. In Sovata, Romania, production capacity is being expanded through a renovation.
2024
Completion of the “Lighthouse” Project
The largest investment project in Hochland's history has been completed. The state-of-the-art soft ripened cheese plant in France sets new standards in flexibility and sustainability.
2025
Successful incorporation
The incorporation of E.V.A. GmbH into Hochland Deutschland GmbH. Vegan products are now also being manufactured at our sites in Heimenkirch and Schongau.
