Development and production of infant formula, milk and whey powders and functional foods from Swiss milk
HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition AG
Hochdorf (headquarters/administration) · Sulgen (production) · Root (Business Village Lucerne)New on Amplifa
About HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition
HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition AG is a Swiss company with a long tradition operating worldwide and a leading competence in powder technology for refining milk and whey raw materials. Founded in 1895 in Hochdorf and employing around 300 staff, the company develops, produces and markets infant formula under the Swiss brand Bimbosan as well as for international private labels, along with milk and whey powders, fat powders, condensed milk and speciality foods for the food industry. The core processes include spray drying, roller drying, concentration and mixing of milk, whey and milk substitute products; filling is carried out in tins, bags, bag-in-box, sticks or big bags. Customers include leading companies in the chocolate, dairy, bakery, convenience and nutrition sectors. Since 2025 production has been concentrated at the Sulgen site, with administration and development located in Hochdorf and Root respectively. As one of the largest processors of Swiss milk, the company is of major importance to the Swiss dairy industry.
- Site
- Hochdorf
- Processes
- Spray drying (powder drying), Concentration of milk and whey, Mixing of milk, whey and milk substitute products, Roller drying, Manufacture of infant formula (stages 1–3), Manufacture of foods for special medical purposes (FSMP), Private label production and recipe development, Filling and packaging (tins, bags, bag-in-bag, sample pouches, sticks, tubes, big bags)
- Materials
- Cow's milk (swissmilk green), Whey, Whey protein concentrate WPC 45, Whey protein concentrate WPC 80, Skimmed milk, Whole milk, Goat's milk, Soya (GM-free)
- Certificates
- FSSC 22000, EU organic, Halal, SEDEX
- Founded
- 1895
- Employees
- ca. 300
- Industries
- Infant Nutrition, Specialized Nutrition, Chocolate industry/confectionery, Dairy products and ice cream, Bakery products, Convenience/delicatessen and meat products
- 01
Raw milk and raw material procurement (including swissmilk green)
- 02
Concentration of milk and whey
- 03
Recipe and product development (private label)
- 04
Spray drying or roller drying
- 05
Mixing and quality control
- 06
Filling and packaging
- 07
Logistics and distribution
Raw Materials and Processes
Cow's milk (swissmilk green)
100% of the milk used for infant formula comes from farms holding the swissmilk green certificate.
Whey protein concentrate WPC 45
Spray-dried whey protein concentrate for infant and speciality nutrition.
Whey protein concentrate WPC 80
Protein-rich concentrate for sports and speciality nutrition.
Lactose
Base ingredient for infant formula and whey powder recipes.
Goat's milk
Basis of alternative infant formula stages 1–3.
Soya (GM-free)
Basis of alternative infant formula in accordance with EU regulations.
Hydrolysed rice protein
Used in anti-colic products and foods for special medical purposes.
Spray drying
Core process for gentle powder production since 1912.
Roller drying
Process for whole milk powder with an intense flavour.
Foods for special medical purposes
Specialities such as PRE, LF and AR for infants, toddlers and adults.
Sites
Hochdorf
CHHeadquarters and administration
Sulgen
CHProduction site (infant formula, milk and whey powders)
- Materials
- Milk, whey, goat's milk, soya, rice protein
- Spray drying tower line 8 (2010)
- New spray drying tower (2018)
- Infant formula filling line (2018)
Root
CHSite (Business Village Lucerne)
Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spray drying (powder drying)Guss | – | – | – | – | Milk, Whey, Whey protein, Skimmed milk, Vegetable fats, Palm fat, Coconut oil, Goat's milk, Soya, Rice protein |
| Concentration of milk and wheyGuss | – | – | – | – | Milk, Whey, Milk substitute products |
| Mixing of milk, whey and milk substitute productsMontage | – | – | – | – | Milk, Whey, Milk substitute products |
| Roller dryingGuss | – | – | – | – | Whole milk |
| Manufacture of infant formula (stages 1–3)Montage | – | – | – | – | Cow's milk, Lactose, WPC 45, WPC 80, Permeate, AMF, GOS, HMO, Nucleotides, ARA, Goat's milk, Soya, Rice protein |
| Manufacture of foods for special medical purposes (FSMP)Montage | – | – | – | – | Rice protein, Lactose-free dairy products |
| Private label production and recipe developmentEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Filling and packaging (tins, bags, bag-in-bag, sample pouches, sticks, tubes, big bags)Montage | – | – | – | – | – |
| Production of sweetened condensed milkGuss | – | – | – | – | Milk |
| Quality control and certification (FSSC 22000, Halal, SEDEX, EU organic)Prüfung | – | – | – | – | – |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spray drying tower | – | – | – | – | Sulgen |
| Spray drying tower line 8 | – | 1 | – | 2010 | Sulgen |
| New spray drying tower | – | 1 | – | 2018 | Sulgen |
| Filling line (infant formula) | – | 1 | – | 2018 | Sulgen |
Additional services
Quality and Certification
Regular checks before, during and after the manufacturing process ensure compliance with statutory regulations and international standards. The production facilities are certified in accordance with FSSC 22000; production also takes place to Halal, SEDEX and EU organic standards.
| Evidence | Sulgen |
|---|---|
| FSSC 22000 | |
| EU organic | |
| Halal | |
| SEDEX |
130 Years of Company History
- 1895
Foundation of the 1st Central Swiss Natural Milk Export Company by 28 cooperative members
- 1899
Renamed Swiss Milk Company
- 1908
Start of infant formula production
- 1912
Start of spray-dried milk powder production
- 1954
First company to launch adapted infant milk on the market
- 2000
Renamed Hochdorf Nutritec AG
- 2003
Acquisition of Multiforsa AG and Schweizerische Milchgesellschaft AG, Sulgen
- 2006
Foundation of HOCHDORF-Holding AG
- 2011
IPO on the SIX Swiss Exchange (17 May)
- 2015
Consolidation of the Swiss activities into HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition AG
- 2018
New spray drying tower and filling line in Sulgen; acquisition of Bimbosan AG
- 2024
Sale to AS Equity Partners (December 2024)
- 2025
130th anniversary; concentration of production in Sulgen
- 2026
Sandro Tichelli becomes new CEO (1 January)