About the company
At Mlekarna Celeia, we’re proud to have been buying exclusively Slovenian milk for over 80 years. Our beginnings date back to World War II, while the more intensive development of the dairy industry began in the post-war period. Today, as the largest Slovenian-owned dairy, we purchase and process only Slovenian milk, which is completely free of genetically modified organisms.
Vision
A DESIRABLE PARTNER IN THE WORLD OF DAIRY
We want to build on the success of Slovenia’s leading cooperative dairy, which will be the first choice of consumers thanks to its attitude towards tradition and nature and its close ties with milk producers.
Mission
WE OPERATE IN A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER AND PROMOTE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
With respect for the Slovenian countryside and long-term reliable purchasing, we maintain milk production and promote rural development.
We establish shorter supply routes and strive for local, cooperative, and social cohesion. With a responsible focus on sustainability, we create products from Slovenian milk, thereby building trust in our brand.
Values
OUR CLOSENESS INCREASES OUR COMMON COMMITMENT AND PERSEVERANCE ON THE PATH TO OUR COMMON GOALS
Our actions are intertwined with the work of generations who, with their loyalty, care, and sincerity, have ensured the long-standing tradition of growth and development of Slovenian dairy farming.
We believe in the closeness between the countryside and the city, between production and processing, between the company and the local community, between farmers and buyers, between people connected with the creation of our excellent products. Together with our farms, we strive for a respectful and sustainable relationship with nature and animals.
Our work is characterised by innovation, food safety, environmental care, and promoting a healthy and safe working environment. We encourage personal commitment to work and persistence in achieving common goals at all levels.
The Brand
The wide range of dairy products from Mlekarna Celeia blends tradition and quality, a connection to nature, sincerity, homeliness, and heartfelt care, all stemming from more than 80 years of experience. We market our products under the Zelene Doline umbrella brand and individual product lines:
Dairy product development and filling for THIRD-PARTY brands
Based on more than 80 years of tradition, experience, and knowledge, and in accordance with the needs of our business partners, Mlekarna Celeia also provides development and filling of dairy products for third-party brands. We also provide small-batch and niche filling options.
The history of Mlekarna Celeia
The beginnings of Mlekarna Celeia date back to 1942, when, under German occupation, it was known as Molkerei Cilli and purchased milk from the wider Celje area, processing part of it into cheese. From 1955, it operated for some time as part of the Celje Cooperative Union, and in January 1962, it joined the Kmetijski kombinat Žalec agricultural cooperative, later known as Hmezad. The dairy’s operations were relocated to Medlog that same year, when the cheese dairy from Šmarje pri Jelšah also joined the company. Due to outdated equipment and the desire to be closer to the major transport routes, a proposal was soon made to relocate production to a new site in Arja vas, where the dairy has been operating since the end of June 1984.
Mlekarna Celeia has been operating under its current name since 1995, and to this day it remains true to the traditions of Slovenian dairy farming and the local origins of its diverse range of dairy products. It is best known for its flagship brand Zelene Doline, which was first introduced in 1997 and is renowned for its dairy products made from the best Slovenian farm milk, which is certified GMO-free (free from genetically modified organisms).
Respect for the tradition of Slovenian dairy farming and its connection with Slovenian farmers is what has guided Mlekarna Celeia throughout all of its eight decades and remains the most important part of its mission today.
Mlekarna Celeia Company Profile
Company
Year of establishment
Headquarters
Telephone - PBX
Website
Legal status
Entry in the court register
Registration number
ID for DDV
Share capital
TRR
SI56 0400 1004 8958 411 (Nova KBM d.d.)
SI56 3000 0000 1971 561 (Sberbank d.d.)
SI56 3500 1000 0218 259 (BKS Bank AG)
Management
Vinko But
Vinko But is a Slovenian businessman who is best known for his many years of work in agriculture and the food processing industry. He is currently the director of Mlekarna Celeia, one of Slovenia’s largest dairy companies, which is wholly owned by Slovenian cooperatives.
Before taking up his position at Mlekarna Celeia, Vinko But spent no less than 22 years at Kmetijska zadruga Šmarje pri Jelšah (agricultural cooperative), 18 of which were spent as its director. As a leader, he champions the tradition of Slovenian dairy farming and fosters strong relationships with farmers, employees and customers.
Kristijan Goručan
Damjan Oblak
Aleksandra Zajc
Milan Meža
Tjaša Kobal Anžur
Alenka Selič
Tanja Veselko Vinko
Petra Ceraj
Company management
Mlekarna Celeia is a limited liability company. Its majority owners are agricultural cooperatives (16 agricultural cooperatives).
The company is managed by a sole director. The director chairs a committee of eight members.
The director is appointed by the supervisory board for a four-year term and may be reappointed after its expiry.
Supervisory Board members:
1. president
2. vice president
3. member
4. member
5. member
6. member
7. member
8. member
9. member
10. member
11. member
12. member
Don't miss out on news, tenders, offers and other benefits.
Sign up for our free e-newsletter, which will keep you informed about current tenders, news and other benefits we have prepared for you.
