Full case study report: Bohlsener Mühle - Germany

Summary

The Bohlsener Mühle GmbH & Co. KG (Mill of Bohlsen Ltd & limited partners) is a processing enterprise handling only organic cereals and other mill and bakery products. The enterprise is specialised on the processing of cereals and legume crops which are grown in northern Germany such as mainly spelt, wheat, oats and rye; as well as legume and oil seeds crops from several countries. The location and regional context are highly relevant for understanding the sustainability objectives and the related values as well as the interrelations between chain partners within one of the most important organic cereal value chain in Northern Germany. The mill business has grown significantly since the early 1980 when the next generation took over the small mill family business and turned it to organic. During the growth process, the organisation, production, internal communication and the marketing has changed significantly. These change processes contributed to the establishment of a sustainable and resilient –as shown in times of the economic crisis – mediumsize family business with around 200 employees in a rural area. The report focusses on the mill with a particular interest in its embeddedness in the value chain discussing in particular the role of the producer association ’Öko-Korn-Nord w.V.’ that is – though completely independent – closely linked to Bohlsener Mühle since its foundation.