Trade Association

In order to guide a company as rooted in tradition as Appenzeller^® cheese into the future, you need people with a fine sense for both, tradition and progress. Our trade association maintains this balance and embodies our values.

Appenzeller^® cheese is more than just a brand — it is tradition, craft, and origin all-in-one. Founded in 1942, the trade association has ensured that Appenzeller^® cheese remains a typical cheese delicacy from Eastern Switzerland and is promoted as such. Its main duties include protecting the brand and the origin, promoting quality and sales, planning and regulating production, setting market-based prices and representing the Appenzeller^® cheese industry both politically and in the public eye.

The trade association consists of the following four stakeholder groups, each of which has 1/4 of the votes during the annual general assembly:
the foundation and funds for Appenzeller^® cheese, representing the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden as the brand owner, roughly 800 Appenzeller^® milk producers (farmers), 42 Appenzeller^® cheesemakers (cheese dairies) and 5 distributors/affineurs from the Appenzeller^® cheese dealers association (AKHV).

The main decision making body of the trade association is the general assembly, with a total of 141 members. The eight members of the management board are elected by the general assembly and they represent equally the four stakeholder groups. Decisions are made by a qualified majority. The trade association is a non-profit organisation and does not distribute profit. It is legally a limited liability company (GmbH) in accordance with the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations.