Emmi

Emmi transformed from a Swiss dairy cooperative (founded 1907) into an international specialty dairy player through strategic focus on premium categories. Rather than competing in commodity milk, Emmi targets high-value niches: Swiss cheese (Kaltbach, Emmentaler), premium yogurt (Onken, YoPRO), and specialty desserts. The company's international expansion follows a biological pattern: establish beachheads in adjacent markets (Austria, Germany, Netherlands) before expanding to distant geographies (Americas, Middle East). This gradual range expansion - rather than simultaneous global launch - allows Emmi to learn and adapt while maintaining Swiss quality positioning. The company's $4B+ revenue proves that even in commoditized food categories, focusing on premium segments sustains margins that volume players can't match.