Maison Duprez, a specialist in French biscuits and confectionery, has successfully secured investment from the agri-food investor Unigrains.
Details regarding the financial aspects of the transaction remain undisclosed.
According to a statement, Unigrains has joined the managing family Finorpa and Société Générale Capital Partners (CP) to enhance the development of Maison Duprez.
Maison Duprez formulates and distributes a diverse range of biscuits and confectionery under renowned regional brands such as Eugène Blond, Confiserie Afchain, and Isidore Penven.
The company serves both retail and foodservice clients, in addition to leveraging a robust network of stores for direct sales.
Currently, Maison Duprez is majority-owned by Vincent Duprez and Sylvie Duprez along with their children, employing around 180 individuals.
President and CEO Vincent Duprez stated: “The complementarity of Unigrains with our historical partners, Finorpa and Société Générale CP, will add value to our growth projects.”
Notably, the company generates 80% of its turnover from proprietary brands. It aims to achieve €45 million in sales within five years.
Unigrains emphasized that Maison Duprez would benefit significantly from its “networks and sector expertise” to pursue “targeted external growth” strategies, particularly in additional French regions.
This investment from Unigrains coincides with plans to enhance the production capacity of Maison Duprez’s Breton subsidiary, aimed at expanding product offerings with new regional items.
Unigrains investment manager Anabelle Gerbal commented: “Unigrains shares the Duprez family’s deep commitment to promoting traditional biscuit and confectionery expertise.”
Additionally, she noted: “It is also, by extension, about supporting the transformation and added value of agricultural productions – wheat, sugar beets, milk – which are the foundation of our French gastronomic heritage.”
Last month, Unigrains acquired a minority stake in Savel Group, a family-owned poultry specialist.
Established in 1968 and located in Lannilis, in France’s Finistère department, Savel specializes in “niche” poultry, such as cockerel, guinea fowl, and slow-raised yellow chicken.
In September, the investor backed French dairy business Beillevaire Groupe.
