Müller (company)
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Molkerei Alois Müller GmbH & Co. KG (often called Müllermilch or simply Müller) is a German dairy company, based in Aretsried which is part of the Bavarian municipality of Fischach. It is part of the Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, a multinational producer of dairy products.
The company's locations also include the Weihenstephan brand (located in Freising), Sachsenmilch and Loose (both in Leppersdorf) and a production plant in England. Müller made a net turnover of €2.1 billion in 2006 and has 5,400 employees.
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[edit] Müller in the United Kingdom
Müller came over to the United Kingdom in 1986, setting up the subsidiary Müller Dairy (UK) ltd.. Construction began on its factory at Market Drayton in Shropshire in 1991, and in 1992 the company became market leader.
When yogurt-loving Ludwig Müller first established his little Bavarian village dairy back in 1896, he could scarcely have imagined the staggering success it was to become. Today his grandson Theo runs a hugely successful business, turning over millions across Europe every year.
When Theo Müller took control of the family business in 1970, he recognised that the local popularity of his dairy's brands could be translated into national success if he improved the recipes and gave the products some heavyweight marketing support.
The company began to grow very quickly, and in 1980 launched an innovative snack with fruit sauce and dairy rice in the same container – the genesis of Müller Rice.
This unique combination of convenience and taste proved very popular and in the 1980s the dairy launched its famous split pot with yogurt and fruit that would be soon known and loved around the world as Müller Corner.
[edit] Products
Müller produces a substantial number of popular yoghurt brands, including Müllerlight, Müllerice, Yogz and Müller Corner.
Müller Corner are a range of yoghurts[1]. There are three main varieties: Fruit, Healthy Balance and Crunch!. Within each of these divisions, a number of flavours are produced, for instance Fruit Corners are available in Blackberry & Raspberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach & Apricot, Raspberry and Strawberry flavours. The name "corner" is in reference to the design of the product. In many of the varieties the yoghurt is plain and unflavoured. It comes with an attached portion of 'flavour', fruit compote for example, to add to the plain yoghurt.
Müllerice is a creamy rice pudding based snack usually containing an additional flavoured sauce, such as apple, raspberry or caramel. Müllerice is sold in a plastic pot, and can be eaten cold or heated in a microwave oven. It is marketed as being a healthy, filling and energy providing snack.
Müllerlight is a brand of low fat yoghurt[2]. Popular flavours include strawberry, toffee and apricot. Müller Light contains gelatine to enable the product to gel, but as a result the yoghurt is not suitable for vegetarians; Müller reports that they are looking for a vegetarian alternative to gelatine [3].
[edit] Advertising
In 2006 Müller launched a popular advertising campaign via television in the UK. Featuring 'Ain't Got No - I Got Life' by Nina Simone, it focused on people dancing and smiling whilst eating Müller yoghurts. In 2007 Müller introduced new TV advertisements with the slogan "lick the lid of life".
Müller was the main shirt sponsor for English football club Aston Villa as part of a two-year deal from 1993 until 1995.
