Food Industry in Thuringia

Industrial food production has become so advanced that it requires highly skilled workers. However, specialists are needed for traditional manufacturing, too. Thuringia offers a wide range of training programs so companies can easily find highly qualified personnel.

University education

Derzeit sind fast 3.000 Studierende u. a. in einem der folgenden Studiengänge mit Bezug zur Ernährungsbranche immatrikuliert:

• Nutrition Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena 
• Chemical Biology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Molecular Life Science, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Erfurt
• Biotechnology, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena
• Horticulture, Erfurt University of Applied Sciences

Vocational and further training

In Thuringia, tomorrow’s specialists complete a rigorous course of theoretical and practical training. All the vocational training institutions work closely together. The following vocational colleges specialize in horticulture and the food industry:

• State Vocational School for Business, Administration and Nutrition, Weimar
• Stadtroda College of Agriculture
• College of the Horticultural Teaching, Erfurt

Thuringia is also peppered with many other agricultural schools. The Federal Employment Agency will pay for special training so that unemployed skilled workers can acquire the exact skills that companies need. More information is available from the Food and Beverage Employers’ Association of Thuringia (Arbeitgebervereinigung Nahrung und Genuss Thüringen).

Thuringia places a premium on building strong relationships between business and research. Specialized partners are available for R&D Projects.

Selected research service providers:

• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Nutritional Sciences
• Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, Horticulture Group
• Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, Sensorics Laboratory
• Leibniz Institute for Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Production, Großbeeren/Erfurt
• Research Center for Medical Equipment and Biotechnology, Bad Langensalza
• PHARMAPLANT Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen Forschungs- und Saatzucht GmbH, Artern

Other industry-specific institutions:

• Thuringia Teaching, Testing and Research Farm, Buttelstedt
• Thuringia State Institute for Agriculture, Jena
• Berufsverband Agrar, Ernährung, Umwelt e. V., Jena

Thüringer Ernährungsnetzwerk (Thuringia Nutrition Network) (TH-ERN)

Supported by the Economics Ministry and Agriculture Ministry of the State of Thuringia, firms have joined forces to create the Thuringia Nutrition Network. As well as representing the in-terests of the industry, the newly formed organization also intends to act as an interface for scientific and technological transfer between the research sector and business enterprises. The firms work together to give the Thuringian food industry a strong image and, with the aid of coordinated marketing strategies, secure long-term employment and growth for this industry.

August Storck KG
Storck’s third German production facility was constructed in Ohrdruf in record time. The fac-tory is highly modern, primarily designed for the manufacture of chocolate-specialities (e.g. the famous brands MERCI and Knoppers) and is being continuously expanded.

Ospelt food GmbH
One of the leading makers of brand goods, the Liechtenstein-based company produces fro-zen pizzas for every taste at its plant in Apolda. The range is being constantly broadened, and a state-of-the-art, fully automated refrigerated high-bay warehouse ensures prompt delivery to the customers on the FIFO principle.

Dr. Schär Deutschland GmbH
Since 2006, the South Tyrol-based maker of gluten-free bread and bread substitute products, has also had a production plant in Apolda. The new location was needed to support the growing demand, but is also in keeping with the company’s principle of producing locally and near to its markets.

Griesson - de Beukelaer GmbH & Co. KG
Since the opening of its plant in Kahla, Griesson - de Beukelaer has set new standards in the production of biscuits and confectionary. The site is one of the most modern in Europe and – besides the production facility – is home to both an infocenter and an administration building.

Brandt Zwieback-Schokoladen GmbH + Co. KG
The Brandt Group employs over 800 people at its four sites in Germany. With a share of over 80%, Brandt is the market leader in Germany, and also sells its products worldwide. More than 15 years ago the company relocated its main production to Ohrdruf to take advantage of the good investment and production possibilities in Thuringia.

Viba sweets GmbH
Located in Floh-Seligenthal and with a long tradition in the food sector, the company produces sweets and is the leader in the German market for nougat products. Since 2012, the pres-tigious “Nougat World” in Schmalkalden allows visitors a unique brand experience.

Kaufland Fleischwaren Heiligenstadt GmbH & Co. KG
Kaufland opened its new meat processing plant with more than 600 employees about five years ago in Heilbad Heiligenstadt. In this modern facility about 250 meat products and spe-cialty sausages are produced, packed and shipped to 630 Kaufland grocery stores throughout Germany.

Selected companies

• ABLIG Feinfrost GmbH, Heichelheim
• Aromatique GmbH Spirituosenfabrik, Neudietendorf
• ARYZTA AG, Nordhausen
• Born Senf & Feinkost GmbH, Erfurt
• Die Thüringer – Fleisch- und Wurstspezialitäten Rainer Wagner GmbH, Dornheim
• DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH, Erfurt
• Bon Pasta GmbH, Erfurt
• Fuchs Gewürze GmbH, Werk Schönbrunn
• Köstritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei GmbH, Bad Köstritz
• Lay Gewürze OHG Würz- & Lebensmitteltechnologie, Queienfeld
• Mühlhäuser GmbH, Mühlhausen
• Nordbrand Nordhausen GmbH, Nordhausen
• Sauels AG, Arnstadt and Barchfeld
• Stollwerck GmbH, Werk Saalfeld
• Thüringer Waldquell Mineralbrunnen GmbH, Schmalkalden