Rigoni di Asiago strengthens its presence in the French market acquiring Saveurs & Nature, the company that from Vendée region has climbed the specialized distribution with its 100% organic chocolate. An handover that allows the historic company from Veneto (founded in 1923) to consolidate its international profile and to enter a strategic sector, that of organic chocolate, for its growth. The operation has been possible thanks to the partnership with Credit Agricole FruilAdria, which has disposed an ESG-linked loan, meaning that Rigoni di Asiago will improve loan conditions by achieving specific sustainability goals.
FROM ORGANIC TO CHOCOLATE
Saveurs &Nature, founded in 2001, has a revenue of € 12 million and about 70 employers. The 20% of its revenue comes from exports. It owns 4 brands for a wide range of products: from chocolate bars to cereals pralines. And they were born in the backroom of an organic restaurant, as chocolates to be served with coffee. A successful idea of the two founders Valerie and Jean-Michel Mortreau built year by year on quality and prestige.
BIO SINCE EVER
Rigoni di Asiago is pioneer in Europa of bio production. Its brands – Fiordifrutta, Nocciolata, Mielbio – have conquered large market share in Italy and abroad. It was in France that spreadable cream Nocciolata has reached a record: it is the top product in the ranking of organic creams. The company still maintains the features of a family company. € 130 million of revenue and 245 employers, Rigoni di Asiago is lead from the third generation of the founder family and is currently working on a growth plan based on innovation and expansion to international markets.
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THE AGREEMENT
“When I first met Jean-Michel Mortreau I was impressed from the similarity of our DNAs and visions and the common will to make the world a better place to live, offering tasty products good for people and the #planet were the key”, said Andrea Rigoni, Rigoni di Asiago’s CEO and President.
“I had very clear ideas and my desire was to pass on my business to a family company that shared our values and already had a strong experience in organic farming“, Jean-Michel Mortreau said in turn.
Now the project is to push the further development of Saveurs & Nature both on the French market and abroad. The goal is to make Montreverd plant, where the French company is based, a center of excellence for organic chocolate. The legal aspect of the financing was followed by the Orsinhger Ortu law firm.