A clutch of private-equity firms have acquired a minority stake in French rice supplier Marbour.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Cerea Partners, Société Générale Capital Partenaires and BNP Paribas Développement have backed Marbour as it starts to “refocus on the agri-food sector and the production of microwaveable ready meals”, a statement announcing the deal read.

Marbour is also looking to explore new opportunities in North America with the investment, as well as “strengthening its positions in its current markets in Europe”.

Alongside the investment, there has been a change in the senior management of the business. Sébastien Bourdillon has taken over as chairman of Marbour from his father, Jean Bourdillon. The Bourdillion family remains the majority shareholder.

Marbour generates circa €300m ($333.5m) in revenue with more than 900 employees worldwide, according to a Cerea Partners statement.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

It has production sites in markets including France, the UK, Italy and Canada, with some dedicated to pouches and others to dry rice.

Marbour’s subsidiaries include France’s Inariz and Wales-based FEI Foods, which manufacture for other brands.

Just Food has contacted Marbour for further details about the investment.

In 2019, Italian rice business Euricom acquired assets from Marbour in Italy, the Netherlands and Poland for an undisclosed sum. Marbour Foods’ annual turnover was almost halved to around EUR180m following the sale.

Marbour acquired France-based crisp maker Sibell a few months later, which had been under judicial administration since February.