The Cooperative

COLUN was created on June 24, 1949 as a cooperative of 70 farmers located in Chile’s biggest dairy region in order to collect the milk they produced and process it together in an industrial plant in order to transform it into dairy products that were later distributed throughout the country. In addition, the cooperative would provide them with the necessary inputs for their agricultural work.

Since then, and now 70 years old, COLUN has become the largest dairy cooperative in Chile, presenting sustained growth and is now the first in milk reception in Chile. It has continuously incorporated the most innovative advances in the dairy industry and provided countless services to its hundreds of partners.

Its dairy plants generate around three hundred products, meeting the highest quality and production standards, with certifications such as BRC (British Retail Consortium) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). COLUN exports to various countries around the world, and is the largest dairy production company made up of exclusively national capital, which has been contributed by local farmers.

Its more than 740 members give a vote of confidence that is strengthened daily. Milk producers who begin to deliver their production to the Cooperative, after a pre-established procedure, can become partners of the company by purchasing participation quotas according to the quantity of milk delivered. According to cooperative principles, each member represents one vote when making decisions in the Assembly, such as in the election of their representatives before the Board of Directors, regardless of the number of quotas or the amount of milk delivered to the Cooperative, thus achieving a process of renewal and democratic participation of all members.

COLUN also has a commitment to education and knowledge of the organization with partners and producers, which translates into a complete program of agricultural, veterinary and service assistance that guides and encourages them to improve every day, allowing hundreds of small farmers to have access to first-rate technology and knowledge, generating a virtuous circle in their families, in rural localities and in the community.

Mission

We produce healthy and high-quality products to meet the needs of our customers and increase the value of the Cooperative. We carry out our activities contributing to the sustainable development of our partners, our collaborators and the community in which we are established.

Vision

To be a leading company in the dairy industry, increasing over time the volume processed and the economic value of the Cooperative.

Our values

  • Austerity: Develop our work in an environment of simplicity and moderation, using the resources that have been entrusted to us in activities and essential goods, evaluating the cost-benefit it represents for our stakeholders.
  • Prudence: Always act with good sense and caution. It is necessary to assess with measure and rigor the impact of the actions we carry out and the decisions we make.
  • Teamwork: Each member of the organization carries out their work or activity, understanding that their work is an important part of a chain, where everyone joins forces to fulfil a common purpose: the objectives of the Cooperative.
  • Commitment: To deliver our best effort in the tasks we carry out, going beyond the call of duty when circumstances require it, developing our work skills to the maximum of our potential, generating links with other members of the organization and benefitting from a job well done.
  • Integrity: Act in an unrestricted manner with honesty, honesty, fairness and impartiality.