Poultry group LDC is in talks to acquire Groupe Routhiau, a meat and plant-based business in France.
LDC said it is in “exclusive negotiations” to buy family-owned Groupe Routhiau, which is based in Saint-Fulgent, a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.
The proposed deal, for which financial terms were not disclosed in a stock-exchange filing, is subject to the approval of local competition officials.
Operating for almost 50 years, Groupe Routhiau generated a turnover of €72m ($78.3m) in 2022 and EBITDA of €5.5m.
In contrast, LDC posted revenue of €5.8bn in the fiscal year running from 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2023, an increase of 15.3%. EBITDA amounted to €547.4m, up 37%.
Employing 360 people, Groupe Routhiau produces fresh and frozen products, from cooked meats such as duck and chicken, to beef carpaccio, plant-based ready meals and French desserts.
The business supplies retail and the foodservice channel, as well as offering private label. Brands include Jean Routhiau, Tendance Créative, Les Trois d’Asie and Végétal manufactured at factories in Saint-Fulgent, Chanverrie and Chateaugiron.
LDC said all employees at Groupe Routhiau will be retained post-transaction, adding the deal will “expand its product ranges and generate synergies in logistics and purchasing”.
Just Food has approached Groupe Routhiau for comment on the transaction.
LDC has 93 facilities, including in France, Poland, Hungary, Belgium and the UK, producing food under brands such as Loué, Le Gaulois Doux and Marie.
Another factory is set to be added in Poland when LDC completes a deal announced last year to buy Indykpol, a Polish turkey producer.
LDC also gained access to another facility in France this month, when it signed off the purchase of the Les Délices de Saint Léonard factory in Morbihan, acquired from the Agromousquetaires Group.
Announcing third quarter and year-to-date results earlier in January to 30 November, LDC said it is on target to surpass the €6bn sales mark.
Revenue for the quarter rose 2.6% to €1.53bn, taking sales for the year so far to €4.5bn, a 7.7% increase in reported terms.
Poultry is LDC’s largest business segment, generating €3.3bn over the nine months, up 7.1%. Its foodservice division posted almost €655m in sales revenue, 12.1% higher than a year earlier.
The international business unit brought in €573m, up 6.3%.
