Regional roots, strong heritage, and a future-oriented vision: advancing a modern family business and expanding the value chain in feed production.
Effective October 1, 2025, Mühldorfer Nutrition Holding (hereinafter “Mühldorfer Group”), one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality feed and pet food, has acquired 100% of the shares of Vilstalmühle GmbH & Co. KG in Vilsbiburg. With this acquisition, the Mühldorfer Group ensures the continuation of one of Germany’s oldest operating production sites while simultaneously strengthening its expertise in the development and manufacturing of specialized feed for various animal species.
Vilstalmühle looks back on an 800-year history and is among the oldest continuously operating companies in Germany. For nearly 200 years, the business has been run by the Franz Balk family. Under their leadership, the mill evolved into a modern, high-performing medium-sized enterprise featuring state-of-the-art, highly automated facilities and an excellent reputation. Due to succession considerations, the Balk family decided to transfer Vilstalmühle to the Mühldorfer Group. By choosing a regionally rooted company as the buyer, they intentionally opted for a solution that secures the long-term future of the business.
Franz Balk, former owner and Managing Director of Vilstalmühle, commented: “Preserving the tradition and the deep connection of our company to the region was extremely important to me. Above all, I wanted to ensure a stable and reliable succession for our long-standing employees and, especially, for our customers. I am very pleased to have found the ideal partner in Mühldorfer.”
For the Mühldorfer Group, this transaction marks the fourth acquisition in 2025 within the framework of its Buy, Build & Technologize strategy and represents a strategic step with multiple objectives. First, it significantly extends the company’s value chain. Going forward, Mühldorfer will produce an even greater share of its products within its own facilities, further enhancing cost efficiency, quality assurance, and innovation capabilities. Second, the Mühldorfer Group is structured into three business units: Horse & Farming, Petfood, and Health & Care. Vilstalmühle will be integrated into the Horse & Farming unit, where it will contribute to strengthening this division. Finally, maintaining the Vilsbiburg site – including safeguarding all employees, customer relationships, and supplier partnerships – remains a central priority.
Klaus Mittermeier, CEO & Founder of the Mühldorfer Group, emphasizes: “Vilstalmühle is a true benchmark company in the feed industry – a healthy, mid-sized business with strong traditions, deep expertise, and excellent employees. We are proud to carry this legacy forward and to shape the future of the site together with the workforce. In the coming months, we plan targeted investments to further develop the location in a sustainable way that meets the evolving needs of our customers.”
+ + +
About the Mühldorfer Group
The Mühldorfer Group, headquartered in Mühldorf am Inn in Upper Bavaria, is one of Europe’s leading innovators in the fields of animal nutrition and animal health, and a strongly expanding company. With vision, dedication, and expertise, the company – founded in 1994 by Klaus Mittermeier – focuses on the development and production of optimally balanced nutritional and care products for all animals. Today, specialized feeds for horses, pet food for dogs and cats, as well as pharmaceutical and care products and premium and organic items for livestock, agriculture, and hobby farming are produced at eleven modern development and production sites in Germany, Austria, and Spain, and distributed worldwide. The company’s core competency lies particularly in the customized development of ideas, products, and services – tailored and sustainable solutions designed to meet the specific needs of each customer.
About Vilstalmühle
Vilstalmühle looks back on an 800-year history and is therefore among the oldest companies in Germany that have operated continuously at the same location. Today, the mill is a modern, high-performing medium-sized enterprise with highly automated production and an excellent reputation, where premium feed products are manufactured on fully electronically controlled systems.
