Unigrains and Sofiprotéol support Arterris in cosolidating the ovine and bovine sector
Unigrains and Sofiprotéol supported Arterris with long term financing for the acquisition of three companies, Dufour Sisteron, Ovimpex and Ovimpex Distribution, in the ovine and bovine sector.
These acquisitions will enable Arterris, together with the Agneau du Soleil cooperative, to develop and consolidate its livestock production activity. The new entity will market 100,000 cattle and 1.5 million sheep, representing a significant part of the French market which produces 4.5 million sheep out of the 10 million consumed each year.
Florence Alin, Investment Director with Unigrains, stated: “We have accompanied Arterris for many years during the different alliances that led to its creation and broad territorial base in the South of France. We are pleased to participate in this new, key phase, which provides Arterris with the means to better value the production of its members through new tools and know-how.”
Michel Boucly, Deputy CEO of Sofiprotéol, added: “Supporting the consolidation of livestock activities around major players is a needed and promising response to the current market context. It offers real perspectives for revitalizing the French ovine industry and better responds to client expectations. It is fully in line with Sofiprotéol’s mission to accompany the growth of French farm businesses over the long term.”
Participants:
Unigrains: Florence Alin, Bruno Julla, Viviane Malège
Sofiprotéol: Cyril Melin
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About Arterris
Arterris is a French agricultural cooperative whose territory covers the Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions. It brings together more than 25 000 farmers with broad know-how, stemming from different regions and cultures. With total surface in excess of 350 000 hectares, Arterris generates combined sales of more than €M 760 and relies daily on a staff of roughly 1 800 people. Including the November 2016 acquisitions of Dufour Sisteron (sales of €M 38), Ovimpex (sales of €M 250) and Ovimpex Distribution (sales of €M 40), its turnover is expected to exceed €bn 1 next year. For further information: www.arterris.fr
Press contact: Aurélie Mauries / aurelie@oxygen-rp.com / +33 (0)5 32 11 07 31
About Unigrains
For over 50 years, Unigrains has accompanied the development of agri-food and angro-industry companies providing tailor-made financial solutions in equity and quasi-equity, as well as contributing its recognized industry expertise. A partner for nearly 150 companies, Unigrains operates at various stages of their development as a minority shareholder, notably in capital restructurings, strategic investments and acquisitions, and ensuring national and international growth.
www.unigrains.fr I @UnigrainsGroup
Press contact: Ari Levine / alevine@unigrains.fr / +33 (0)1 44 31 16 46 / +33 (0)6 69 20 79 19
About Sofiprotéol
Set up in 1983 at the initiative of farmers, Sofiprotéol, the finance and development subsidiary of Avril, is committed to supporting companies in the world of agribusiness and the agrifood industry. A sustainable partner, Sofiprotéol can offer long-term support for companies in the sector and, more generally, those involved in French agribusiness, notably in order to consolidate their equity capital in the context of development or investment operations designed to enhance their competitiveness. From credit to equity, the finance solutions proposed by Sofiprotéol are based on an industrial and entrepreneurial approach to supporting development and innovation at all levels in agribusiness and agrifood sectors. www.sofiproteol.com
Press contact: Tom Doron / tom.doron@groupeavril.com / +33 (0)1 78 14 80 09 / +33 (0)6 26 28 39 94