Since 2002, this site has been part of Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods. What started as an acquisition from Nestlé has grown into a stable and trusted presence in the village – and within our family business. The plant operates on a five-shift system and focuses specifically on processing milk from our dairy farmers in the northern Netherlands.
A plant director with a passion for people and technology
Since June 2024, Liesbeth Wierda has served as plant director of this unique production site. As a child, she was already fascinated by dairy plants – she knew early on that this was where she wanted to work. When she was approached last year to lead the Scharsterbrug plant, the decision was easy. With more than thirty years of experience in dairy, Liesbeth brings deep expertise. She grew up on a dairy farm, studied food technology at the HAS, and set her sights on becoming a plant manager at Frico. After her studies, she joined FrieslandCampina’s management traineeship programme, working in a range of roles – from a cheese warehouse in Bedum to a powder plant in Leeuwarden. She consciously chose to move to Vreugdenhil last year, drawn by the company's vision and human scale.
“I’m very proud to be leading the team in Scharsterbrug,” says Liesbeth. “What makes this plant special is the mentality. When something needs doing, we just get on with it – no fuss. That fits the DNA of Vreugdenhil: people come first, and collaboration is key. You need machines to run a plant, but people are the most important link. At Vreugdenhil, that’s genuinely recognised.”
A specialty plant for high-grade powders
The Scharsterbrug plant produces various high-quality milk powders. “We also make hybrid powders – blends of dairy and plant-based ingredients,” explains Liesbeth. “Think of whole milk powders, fat-filled powders, cream powders, and products that combine concentrated soy with milk. That last product is unique to this location – our other plants don’t produce it. That makes Scharsterbrug a true specialty plant.”
These products are used in applications like yoghurt, dairy drinks, coffee, chocolate, bakery items and more. Moreover, they meet strict microbiological standards, including low levels of heat-resistant spores – making them suitable, for example, for hot drink vending machines in Japan. With its scalable infrastructure, rapid time-to-market, and customer-focused approach, Scharsterbrug delivers quality products tailored to specific needs.
Sustainable and future-focused
The Dutch dairy sector faces political challenges, but in Scharsterbrug, the focus remains on moving forward. “We keep finding smarter, better ways to be future-proof,” says Liesbeth. One current challenge is electricity availability. The plant’s power supply is no longer sufficient to meet its sustainability targets: a 40% CO₂ reduction by 2030. “We therefore aim to invest in a higher-capacity grid connection. The plant is running at full capacity, with an annual production of 65 kilotons of powder. Without an upgraded connection, we would need to scale back – and that’s something we clearly want to avoid. This step is crucial for the plant’s future.”
To run a factory you need machinery, but people are the most important link. At Vreugdenhil, this is truly recognized.
Liesbeth Wierda, plant director Scharsterbrug
People come first
At Vreugdenhil, it’s not just about processing and valorising milk – it’s about people. That’s something you clearly feel in Scharsterbrug. Many employees have worked here for years.
“I chose this role because I care about people,” says Liesbeth. “At Vreugdenhil, I feel seen – and I want to pass that feeling on. Taking a moment to recognise a work anniversary, having a chat on the shop floor, giving a personal thank-you – it’s in the big and the small things. As a leader, I want to be there for the team, while also providing clarity. When you work toward a shared goal, you get better results.”
Open day for dairy farmers
This autumn, our plants in Scharsterbrug and Gorinchem will open their doors to Vreugdenhil’s dairy farmers. During this exclusive open day, they’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how their milk is transformed into high-quality powders and ingredients for the global food industry.
“That personal contact means a lot to us,” says Liesbeth. “Our dairy farmers are a vital link – without their quality milk, we wouldn’t be able to make any dairy products.” She adds: “That’s what it’s all about: for our farmers, our customers, and our employees’ job satisfaction. Because when people enjoy their work here, we can build a future together – full of delicious and nutritious dairy products from Dutch soil.”
About Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods
Since 1954, we’ve operated as a Dutch family-owned business in the dairy sector. Every day, we pursue our mission: making the goodness of milk available to people worldwide. We specialise in milk powders, with four production sites in Gorinchem, Scharsterbrug, Barneveld and Putten, a head office in Nijkerk, and a branch office in Madrid (Spain). Each year, we process about 1.5 billion kilograms of milk into high-quality nutritional products and ingredients, exported to more than 130 countries.