The Soufflet Group Outlines Initial Plans for Integrating Neuhauser Group

06 Aug 2014 --- Developing the synergies between the bakery industry and the snacking retail market will be at the top of the agenda for the Soufflet Group for the immediate future, the company’s director of marketing and communications, Thierry Berger, told FoodIngredientsFirst. This activity forms the first stage of the group’s recent acquisition of European baking specialist the Neuhauser Group.

Earlier this week Jean-Michel Soufflet and Alfred Neuhauser signed the agreement under which the Soufflet Group will take a 70% stake in the holding company, Neuhauser Financière. Soufflet thus increases its shareholding to 78.73%. Alfred Neuhauser is keeping 1.11% of the shares in Neuhauser Financière.

“This acquisition in the wheat sector will also give some opportunities to our Milling BU and to AIT Ingredients to develop their activities with Neuhauser,” Berger said. “Other synergies will be built in the bakery sector, where the Soufflet Group is well established.” 

“But the most important job for the next couple of years will be the consolidation of the Neuhauser Group, where a lot of synergies have to be developed inside the Group and between the bakery industry and the snacking retail,” he confirmed. “And of course, with Soufflet, Neuhauser export sales will continue to progress, in the EU and abroad.”

The acquisition means a change in governance with the creation of a Board of Directors, chaired by Jean-Michel Soufflet.

An agricultural and manufacturing company specialising in the primary processing of cereals, the Soufflet Group is a major player on the world malt market and one of Europe’s top millers.

It has also been active for many years in the bread, morning goods and confectionery sector, with a long-standing strategy of expansion. With this acquisition, Soufflet is further extending its reach in the wheat sector.
 
The Neuhauser Group is a leader in Europe in plant baking and confectionery with nineteen production units in France and one in Portugal. It is also an important player on the fast food market, with the Pomme de Pain chain in France and Le Crobag in Germany, in total it has two hundred and fifty sales outlets.

On its growing markets in both France and other European countries, the Neuhauser Group is aiming to strengthen the complementary nature of its manufacturing and commercial activities to continue its development.