Tönnies Beef
Highest quality standards from specialised single-species processors
Tönnies is one of the leading beef producers in Germany. The four sites of Kempten, Wilhelmshaven and Legden, and the new Rinderkompetenzzentrum [bovine animal competence centre] at Badbergen are specialised single-species processors, in other words, they only process one type of meat – in this case, beef. The specialisation of the sites means that the company brings together expertise, experience and market-leading specialists.
Since it was founded in 1990, Tönnies Rind has established itself as a permanent part of the Tönnies Group. Tönnies Rind represents technical expertise combined with the latest production facilities. Together with the highest quality standards, this enables Tönnies Rind to manufacture high-grade products. As one of the largest cattle slaughtering companies in Germany, and even in Europe, the company aspires to further expand its market position.
Regional origin
Strong regions shape the production of agricultural goods in Germany: Allgäu, Artland, Münsterland, Eifel and the Ems district are five strong regions from which a large number of our cattle come from. In addition, farmers from other regions deliver their cattle to our sites, always with the focus on short transport routes. After all, agricultural production is very much focused on animal welfare. The agricultural family businesses in these regions are responsible for their production. Together with them we manufacture top quality German beef.
The cattle slaughter journey at our factory in Kempten
The Rinderkompetenzzentrum [bovine animal competence centre] in Badbergen
In 2020, Tönnies Rind pressed on with the opening of the new site, the Rinderkompetenzzentrum in Badbergen. The site in northern Lower Saxony has been part of the Tönnies Group since 2017. In the future, this will house the entire cattle slaughtering operation for Tönnies which was previously located at the main site of Rheda-Wiedenbrück. Since 2019, the existing premises at the site have been renovated and the latest technology for the slaughter and butchering of cattle integrated. In 2020, the new site opened up and commenced work. Tönnies has invested around EUR 85 million in this site.
Creating more space at the main site
With the opening of the Rinderkompetenzzentrum in Badbergen, Tönnies will be able to relocate different parts of the butchering operation that are currently located in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. This creates space for the company at the main site which will be used to improve the processes on site and deploy additional steps for automation. Around 500 employees work in production at Badbergen.
Modernising cattle slaughter and looking to the future
The primary aim of the Rinderkompetenzzentrum is to modernise the slaughter and butchering of cattle and thus concentrate the associated activities. In the course of complete renovation and partial new construction, new technologies and machines will be purchased and deployed to give perspective to cattle merchandising in the region. A sophisticated system comprising innovative cooling technology, machine-based butchering and a highly automated commissioning and distribution process will distinguish the slaughter, butchering and finishing process in Badbergen.
History of the Artland factory in Badbergen
The company Artland Meat and the central site in Badbergen have a history rich in tradition and variety. Since the 1960s, they have shaped the success story of regional meat and sausage production in the Artland region of Lower Saxony and they have been there ever since. Good conditions for starting a new chapter in Tönnies history with the new cattle slaughter centre.
Construction of the new production hall to expand capacity in the early 1960s
Aerial view of the Artland factory after the expansion in 1963/64
The historical farmstead has been maintained until today. Tönnies is currently restoring it.
An Artland truck for the transportation of cooled goods in the 1970s
Executives and product developers at a tasting of Artland sausages in Badbergen
Parallel slaughter of cattle and pigs in Badbergen
Herta Artland Dörffler slaughters the 500,000th pig
A new owner for the site: Artland Meat Products GmbH
Tönnies takes over the factory in Badbergen
Merchandising of the products from the site under the trademark Tönnies Beef
Data & facts
EUR 85 million
invested in the new beef centre by Tönnies in the first phase
500
employees will work there in the future
95 percent
of the animal delivers value
5,400
slaughterings per week are possible at the Badbergen site
Short Glossary of Beef / Illustration of Beef
Full utilisation of the animals
At the Rinderkompetenzzentrum Badbergen, around 95 percent of the animal is processed. From young bulls to dairy cows, the products cover the entire range of meat products: the most well-known being burgers made of minced beef, steaks, roast beef joints and even offal. The different eating habits around the world can thus be satisfied. While the German consumer prefers lean beef, meat with a thicker layer of fat is preferred in Scandinavia and other European countries. In contrast, offal is particularly popular in Asia.
Energy-saving production
In addition to the complete utilisation of the cattle, the Rinderkompetenzzentrum in Badbergen also focuses on an energy-saving production process. The “waste product” of heat, which is created as a result of refrigeration, is used for hot water preparation. Moreover, the routes that the products travel in the production halls are short. This avoids the need for intermediate storage and thus saves additional energy.