French dairy cooperative Isigny Sainte-Mère is in talks with the view to acquire a local biscuit manufacturer La Maison du Biscuit.
The butter and cheese producer plans to purchase 90% of shares in the Normandy-based group.
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Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
A joint statement from both companies said Isigny Sainte-Mère shared “the same values of tradition and quality as La Maison du Biscuit” and that the acquisition would “allow the cooperative to continue its roots in Normandy, diversify its premium offering, and thus establish itself in new value-added markets”.
The transaction is expected to be finalised by the end of May. The businesses have declined to comment further on the acquisition.
Set up in 1909 in Normandy, Isigny Sainte-Mère is a French dairy cooperative made up of approximately 700 dairy farmers and 500 dairy farms located in the Calvados, Manche and Orne departments.
It produces a range of dairy products, including butter, cream, traditional French cheeses such as Camembert and Pont l’Évêque and infant milk powders.
Isigny also produces caramel in a variety of formats including caramel creams, spreads, chips and sweets under the Caramels d’Isigny label.
Its products are sold to retailers and convenience stores in France and exported to countries including Canada, the US, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK.
Founded in 1903 Maison du Biscuit specialises in artisanal biscuits which it produces at its bakery in Sortosville-en-Beaumont. Since 2010, it has also managed an ‘immersive shopping street experience’ in the same area which acts as a regional tourist attraction.
Its products are sold nationwide in specialist stores and on-trade sites and are also available online D2C to countries in Europe including Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.
