This new milestone will contribute to implementing Avril's strategic plan, in line with its ambition of becoming the leader in plant-based solutions for agricultural, food, and environmental transitions. The Group is thus consolidating its market positions in two of its key development objectives: Consumer Goods (CG) and healthy, sustainable plant-based food ingredients.
For the Vivien Paille teams, integrating into Avril marks a new development phase for the company. With its two production sites in France, Vivien Paille will play a part in accelerating Avril's ambitions in the vegetable protein market.
Jean-Philippe Puig, Avril's CEO, commented, "I am delighted to receive the Vivien Paille teams into the Avril Group. On behalf of all our employees, I extend a warm welcome to them. We share the same core values and commitments, in particular by supporting the development of national sectors in the service of transitions. Vivien Paille is going to make a strong contribution towards strengthening our presence in the plant processing market, in line with our strategic priorities, while remaining true to our purpose, Serving the Earth."
Thierry Liévin, General Manager of Vivien Paille added: "We are delighted to become part of Avril. The strength of the Group, together with our expertise and historical know-how, will enable us to further strengthen our positions in the legume, mixed grain, and rice markets, along with developing new categories. Together, we will pursue our commitment to healthy, sustainable food, while meeting consumers' new expectations."
About Vivien Paille
Vivien Paille is a processor and packager of rice, legumes, and grain mixes, both dried and sterilized in sachets. It is also the French specialist in functional flours made from gluten-free rice and legumes.
The new Avril business unit develops its products under the Vivien Paille and VP Ingredients brands (naturally derived vegetable proteins) for the industrial, catering, and mass retail markets. The company has a long-standing commitment to the development of French rice production in the Camargue, green lentils in the Puy and Champagne regions, along with quinoa, and is an expert in international sourcing.
Vivien Paille employs a workforce of 290 at two sites in France: Valenciennes in the Nord and Arles in the Bouches-du-Rhône.