The co-op's site in Dargun in north-eastern Germany is to be shuttered Hohenwestedt and Everswinkel are to be scaled down is to close a domestic facility and reduce capacity at three others amid declining milk production volumes The co-op’s site in Dargun in north-eastern Germany is to be shuttered Some 150 employees will be impacted by the measures which are due to be implemented by spring 2025 said it had no alternative but to make the changes It said it mainly produces “standard products” at the affected sites as opposed to higher value lines combined with an expected decrease in milk volumes DMK said it is “reacting to regionally changing raw material volumes and is also taking aspects of value-adding product range development into account in this planning” It added: “The decision was preceded by a renewed extensive examination of the planned measures by means of an independent expert opinion on behalf of the employee representatives did not allow any other conclusions to be drawn regarding the sustainable and economic continuation of the areas in question.” Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis DMK said it is aiming to optimise its network of production facilities “These capacities are determined by the interplay of three factors: the volume of milk per region as well as demand and capacity at plant level the plant structure and product portfolio must be constantly optimised to achieve the highest possible value for the processed raw milk This also includes strengthening products with higher added value and reducing those with lower returns,” it said said it will enter into talks with the affected employees to discuss their options “The DMK Group thus has a strong interest in retaining good employees and deploying them in other functions,” it said Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Food Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network It’s been awhile since a member of the Hope College women’s track team earned MVP honors in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association — 16 years to be exact Sprinter Nora Kuiper earned the league’s most valuable track female performer award from the MIAA coaches a first for the Flying Dutch since Marcia Vandersall Bannink received it in 1993 Only three others from Hope can claim MVP honors — Mary Busscher in 1988 and 1989 and Paula Smith in 1986 Calvin College’s Sarah Reasoner was named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Field Performer while the men’s honors went to Adrian College’s Christon Calley for track events and Calvin College’s Joel Klingenberg for field events swept the league titles in the 100 and 200 meters at last week’s 117th annual MIAA Field Day at Albion College She won the 100 meters four consecutive years and has qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships Kuiper won the 100 in an MIAA-record 12.1 seconds and the 200 in 25:03 at the MIAA Field Day She already holds the school record in the 100 with a time of 11.9 The respective MVPs headlined an all-MIAA first team that includes three other Hope athletes: freshman Leonie Grosse of Everswinkel Germany; freshman Kate Nelson of Williamston and sophomore Kara VandeGuchte of Hamilton Hope also had four athletes make the second team: junior Jeffrey Minkus of Glen Ellyn junior Aaron Treiber of Auburn and freshman Kyle VanderVeen of Alto.