Innovation that spreads
Aarhus United is a company with a long history behind it – and a lot of
future ahead
Speciality vegetable fats and oils from Aarhus United can be found in
countless food products all over the world. High quality products with
superior functional properties and a customer service that is both inspiring
and reliable have made Aarhus United one of the leaders in its field.
The Denmark-based company’s sophisticated product range, innovative
application expertise and modern production facilities build on more than
130 years in the business. At the turn of the 20th century, Aarhus United was
already a recognised pioneer when it developed the first vegetable fats for
margarine. Later the company launched the world’s first alternatives to
cocoa butter – fats that remain a mainstay of the product portfolio to this
day.
Innovative strength
Proactive innovation has been a driving force throughout the company
history. As a result, Aarhus United today is equipped to respond with
lightning speed to customer demands – many of which are born of the growing
consumer awareness of issues such as health and the environment. It was this
state of perpetual readiness that, in the early 90s, enabled the company to
develop the first trans fatty acid free fats for margarine almost overnight.
Consumer concerns about the implications of using fats derived from
gene-modified raw materials were also behind Aarhus United’s decision to
switch to non-GMO production in 2000, when many food manufacturers felt the
need to keep gene-modified ingredients out of their products.
Confectionery focus
The needs of the greatest part of the company’s international customers are
also reflected in the product range. Today Aarhus United has a strategic focus
on the confectionery industry, developing and supplying cocoa butter
alternatives for chocolate and chocolate compound, filling fats for pralines
and barrier fats that prevent fat and water migration. With this
comprehensive range and continuous flow of new products and product
improvements, Aarhus United is equipped to tackle the vast majority of
fat-related issues involved in confectionery production.
The focus on confectionery is, though, not to the exclusion of all other
application areas. Aarhus United also serves the bakery, food service, dairy,
ice cream, margarine and infant nutrition industries. Within the non-food
sector, the company’s products for skin creams and dietary supplements
represent a relatively small but fast-growing business.
Working with customers
Aarhus United works closely with its customers to ensure individual
requirements are fully met. A newly installed information technology system,
in which sales, development, production and all other activities are closely
integrated, enables a fast and efficient response to these needs.
 Another
valuable service is provided by the company’s trading department. Here, raw
material specialists track movements on raw material markets, crop yields
and weather patterns that can affect supplies. This information provides the
basis for Aarhus United’s daily trade updates which assist customers when
deciding what and when to buy in order to maintain vital stocks.
External research
Not only customers benefit from Aarhus United’s vast expertise. Participation
in external research projects involves linking up with academic and other
independent research institutions. The results of these studies are
typically made available to all fat and oil manufacturers and the industries
they supply.
Aarhus United is part of the Aarhus United group, which also has sales and
production companies in Mexico, Norway, the UK and USA. Other sales offices
are in operation in Australia, Malaysia, Poland, Russia and South America.
The group is a major shareholder in United Plantations Berhad, Malaysia, and
has offices in West Africa responsible for buying exotic raw materials.
Contact details:
Aarhus United Denmark A/S
M.P. Bruuns Gade 27
DK - 8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
Tel: +45 87 30 60 00
Fax: +45 87 30 60 12
Web: www.aarhusunited.com
Managing Director: Mr. Jørgen Balle |
