Nils Rupp, Head of CREMER Sustainable Foods: “We accompany customers from the product idea to the shelf”
Mr. Rupp, what is behind CREMER Sustainable Foods? What do you offer customers?
Our mission with CREMER Sustainable Foods is to think ahead and make Sustainable Foods possible - together with brand manufacturers, start-ups and retailers.
We have created a modular product platform for this purpose. It allows us to develop and implement individual plant-based alternatives together with our customers. And we do this flexibly, efficiently and in close partnership. The market is constantly growing and many companies are looking for a partner who can accompany them from the product idea to the shelf. This is exactly what we can do.
We develop product ideas together with customers and implement them.
You offer contract manufacturing for Europe. What does that mean in concrete terms?
Put simply, our customers come up with the idea and we take care of everything else. We have scalable, qualified production capacities in our Asian plants, especially in Singapore. We are already supplying the European market from there.
What are the advantages of working with you as a production partner?
We combine innovative strength with flexibility. We are very fast, work without minimum order quantities, but can scale just as well. We are a strong partner, especially for companies that want to try out new product ideas or have small batches produced. Our Product Innovation Team also includes experts with a background in gastronomy. So, we not only develop with brains, but also with taste.
We combine innovative strength with flexibility.
Which products can you offer?
We offer the complete range of plant-based meat alternatives - from pulled pork to chicken schnitzel. Our production platform works with extrusion technology to create a meat-like texture. We are very adaptable when it comes to formats and recipes. But the important thing is that the products have to taste good. The most sustainable product is useless if nobody wants to eat it.
How does a typical project with you work? And how long does it take for a product to be launched on the market?
It all starts with listening. We want to understand exactly what our customers want: Which target group do they want to reach? Which ingredients and which formats are desired? Then we develop prototypes and take care of production, packaging and logistics. We've already had projects where the products were on the market in six weeks. However, it usually takes between three and twelve months.
From idea to plate: CREMER Sustainable Foods offers a full range of tailor-made, great-tasting meat alternatives. Developed with culinary expertise, produced to scale, and always aligned with our customer's vision.
The most sustainable product is useless if nobody wants to eat it.
For which customers is your offer particularly interesting?
That varies greatly. We often work with retailers or brand manufacturers who want to expand their range. But we are also approached by bakery chains that want to fill puff pastry pockets with plant-based ingredients, for example. Some manufacturers also see our products or ingredients as an ingredient for their own ready meals.
Why is contract manufacturing in Europe an issue for you?
We want to get closer to our customers and markets. For us, sustainability also means streamlining supply chains. Europe is not only our home market, but also a growth market with a lot of potential.
Europe is not only our home market, but also a growth market with a lot of potential.
What do you wish for when working with partners in Europe?
My favorite customers are those who think and act as partners. The market is on the move. Those who remain flexible can achieve an incredible amount. We have the experience and the infrastructure and look forward to working with anyone who wants to shape the industry with us. Feel free to get in touch with me.
Thank you very much for the interview and the insights into your work.