In a strategic move, French dairy cooperative Sodiaal has appointed Antoine Collette, a seasoned executive in the food and beverage industry, as its new CEO. Collette, who has previously worked for prominent companies such as Danone and Mondelez International, assumed the position today, taking over from Jorge Boucas.
Boucas, who led Sodiaal for six years, recently left to become the CEO of Tereos, a sugar co-op based in France. With Boucas’ departure, Sodiaal saw an opportunity to bring in fresh leadership and expertise to drive the company forward.
Prior to joining Sodiaal, Collette held key positions at various industry-leading organizations. From 2019 to the present, he successfully led Henkel’s beauty care business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, he spent 11 years at Mondelez International, where he served as president of the biscuits business in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Collette’s notable career also includes a stint at Danone, where he played a pivotal role in the European business for the Lu biscuit brand.
As part of his new role, Collette has been entrusted by the Sodiaal board of directors to develop and execute a strategic plan that prioritizes both economic and environmental performance. This plan will accelerate the cooperative’s agro-ecological transition and provide new, high-value opportunities to ensure fair wages for its 16,000 farmers. Collette will also oversee the adaptation of Sodiaal’s industrial sites to meet environmental challenges while ensuring the safety of its employees.
Headquartered in Paris, Sodiaal operates 61 sites encompassing dairy, butter, and cheese mills, as well as other processing and management facilities. The company boasts a diverse portfolio, including renowned cheese brands like La Rustique and EntreMont, as well as milk and cream brands such as Candia, Candia Baby, and GrandLait. Sodiaal’s impressive reach extends beyond France, with subsidiaries and commercial offices in 12 countries and exports to over 20 nations.
In 2022, Sodiaal achieved a turnover of €5.5 billion ($6 billion) according to its annual report, further establishing its position as a key player in the food and beverage industry.
