Sofiprotéol, part of French agri-food company Avril Group, has made a move to bolster its portfolio by acquiring a minority stake in vinegar producer Martin-Pouret. The investment aims to expedite the development of Martin-Pouret’s new vinegar production facility, scheduled to open in September 2024. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. However, reports suggest the new site in Boigny-sur-Bionne, in the Orléans district, will cost around €7.6m to build.
This strategic investment will support Martin-Pouret’s “growth ambitions” and enhance its local presence by launching a new factory, according to Violaine Grison, co-head of investment at Sofiprotéol. The factory, sitting on 10,500 square meters of land, with a surface area of 4,800 square meters, is expected to bring a “positive impact on employment” and boost the “attractiveness” of the region.
The new site will create “two to four additional jobs to begin with,” said Martin-Pouret, a company renowned for its mastery of the ancestral Orléans vinegar-making method. The vinegars produced by Martin-Pouret are made from local wine grapes and include a range of unflavoured and flavoured red and white wine vinegars, Normandy cider vinegar, as well as Modena balsamic vinegar and dressing. The company also offers additional products such as mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, gherkins, and appetizer dips.
Speaking in a statement, the business partners of Martin-Pouret, Paul-Olivier Claudepierre and David Matheron, expressed satisfaction with the investment, stating that Sofiprotéol’s knowledge of their trade and shared vision of quality food and French manufacturing aligned with their own. Moreover, Sofiprotéol’s investment portfolio includes other notable consumer food companies and has announced multiple investments, positioning itself as an influential player in the food and beverage industry.
Avril Group, the parent company of Sofiprotéol, has announced multiple investments over the past few years, recording impressive revenue growth and significant acquisitions. This positions the group as an influential entity in the food and drink industry. The acquisition of Martin-Pouret further emphasizes the group’s commitment to strategic investments and expansion.
