Luxury chocolate maker, Weiss, has been acquired by Finapar, a dairy products and fresh goods trader.
Finapar has acquired two-thirds of Weiss’ capital from its current management and External Luxury, a company based in Paris specialising in gastronomic products, who together took control of the family-firm in 2002. CEO Paul Ducasse will continue to run Weiss.
Established in 1882, Weiss is a “bean-to-bar” producer – roasting and processing select cacao beans in its own facility. It was recently appointed the official chocolate supplier to the Rugby World Cup, which will be held in France in September-October 2007.
Last year, the company, which employs around 100 staff, invested EUR6m (US$7.74m) in new premises covering 4,500 square metres at its HQ in St Etienne.
Weiss’ turnover is expected to exceed EUR10m this year, with exports, largely in the form of chocolate coatings to the trade, accounting for 20% of the total.
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