ESS-FOOD is a global supplier of different food products within the Danish Crown family. With 21 offices in 18 countries and annual sales of over 376.000 tonnes, ESS-FOOD is among the leading suppliers of products to food manufacturers, retailers, caterers and distributors throughout the world. Our headquarter is placed in the center of Copenhagen and we employ about 149 people around the world.
Our range of chilled and frozen meat products is virtually endless. We offer a countless number of product combinations based on pork, beef, poultry, lamb and seafood. Cuts, recipes, packaging and other important elements can be customized to meet our customer’s specific requirements.
We see ourselves as much more than a supplier of different food products. Our goal is always to establish a value-adding partnership with our customers as well as our suppliers around the world. We are known for our thorough knowledge of local markets and thus we are able to meet local needs and demands, providing customers and suppliers with the highest level of service and competitive prices.
Our History
ESS-FOOD's roots can be tracked back to 1890, when discussions began about establishing a 'Fælleskontor' (Shared office) for all the cooperative pig slaugterhouses. Seven years later, this idea evolved into 'De Samvirkende Danske Andelssvineslagterier', which is known today as 'Danske Slagterier' (Danish Slaughterhouses, DS). The purpose of this cooperative was to create a strong organisation capable of engaging in industry discussions at the highest governmental level, while also standardising quotation, classification and feeding system.
The name ESS-FOOD, however, was not established until 1950, when it became the commercial arm of Danish Slaughterhouses, officially know as 'Eksport Svineslagteriernes Salgsforening'.
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Exporting Danish Products
During the 1950's and 1960's, ESS-FOOD was responsible for the majority of all bacon export to the United Kingdom (UK). At one point, ESS-FOOD was in charge of 33% of all Danish pig export. In 1967, an import milestone was established when ESS-FOOD and DFDS created the 'Container-Transport-System' which introduced the following system:
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Bacon sides transported un-packed in cooling containers from slaughterhouses directly to the British buyers, without reloading in shipping or receiver ports.
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The sea-transport occurred with special built container-ships using the newest loading- and unloading methods with a roll-on/roll-off basis.
This collaboration meant that DFDS made large investments as they began building these special container ships. Two loading ports were chosen: Esbjerg and Grimsby.
Two years prior to the establishment of the 'Container-Transport-System', ESS-FOOD began the 'Bacon Container Central' in the port of Esbjerg. This was the root of the entire container transport system. From the Bacon central, ESS-FOOD managed the planning of all transportation from Denmark, the maintenance, the materials used and how the bacon sides were packed on the containers. It started with 400 containers and 30 prime movers (forvogne), including some stationed in Grimsby (UK).
The journey forward
The cooperative of the Danish slaughterhouses didn't last forever and bit by bit, many decided to leave the 'Fælleskontor' where ESS-FOOD managed the Danish export. The turning point for ESS-FOOD and the cooperative occurred in 1984, when it was decided that ESS-FOOD should no longer hold and maintain the UK export, aswell as other markets that had been developed i.e. Japan. Instead, slaughterhouses such as Tulip began exporting themselves leaving ESS-FOOD in a situation where owners and collaborating slaughterhouses could now sell and export without going through ESS-FOOD. This meant new rules were agreed, defining the trading house ESS-FOOD is today;
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Danish slaughterhouses were no longer required to fullfill and deliver products to ESS-FOOD's requirements on product specifications and cuts,
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ESS-FOOD was no longer required to exclusively sell Danish slaughterhouse products,
This major turning point, also meant that ESS-FOOD, moving forward could sell products no matter the origin and the company could buy and sell from and to anyone.
The ESS-FOOD we know today
ESS-FOOD had already before 1984 established offices in various countries. These were not to be considered distributions offices, but instead began purchasing products locally for export, which kicked off the trading of ESS-FOOD as we know today.
During the mid-90's, Danish Crown had merged various slaughterhouses under one common name and owned the majority of ESS-FOOD. At this time, many of the Danish Crown slaughterhouses maintained their own export and many international offices had been changed from ESS-FOOD to Danish Crown name, whereby the existence of ESS-FOOD was questioned.
A decision to split ESS-FOOD in early 2000's, meant that the name 'ESS-FOOD' was put in the drawer and became DAT-Schaub International, DAT-Schaub A.m.b.a. and Emborg Foods (Emborg Foods was later sold). In 2007, the name and mergers had created confusion amongst customers, since DAT-Schaub A.m.b.a. was a well-known casing company and the function of DAT-Schaub International was trading.
The same year, a decision to revive the ESS-FOOD A/S name was taken.
ESS-FOOD strategy - 2022
As a starting point, ESS-FOOD has grown strong positions in key markets with solid reputation and supplier base. The complications are seen as new consumer trends & growth opportunities, and how to re-focus our strategic priorities.
The ESS-FOOD strategy is driven by a combination of regional organic and new growth initiatives and global/local enablers.
employees in our company
tonnage in 2023/2024
revenue (1000 DKK) in 2023/2024