PARIS, FRANCE: Omer-Decugis & Cie has bought 100% of the shares in French family business Anarex SAS, a wholesaler specialising in ethnic and exotic products and based in the Paris-Rungis International Market, a news release said.
Omer-Decugis & Cie is an international group specialising in fresh and exotic fruits and vegetables.
The acquisition takes forward the Group’s strategy, presented at the June IPO, of developing the wholesale range by expanding commercial space and seeking out new markets.
Integrating Anarex will allow the Group to seize new opportunities for developing its specialty ranges for the exotic and ethnic shelves of SIIM’s large and medium-sized retailers and Bratigny’s customers, particularly in the plantain, root vegetable and other tropical fruit & veg segments (safou, ambarella, chillies, kola nuts, etc.).
Vincent Omer-Decugis, Chairman and CEO of Omer-Decugis & Cie, said: “Our first acquisition since the IPO will further strengthen our drive for growth, building on this year’s strong performance marked by a 15% increase in revenue. It is perfectly consistent with the Group’s development strategy and creates synergies with both divisions, SIIM and Bratigny, on products sourced from regions where the Group is eager to expand, particularly in Africa, and targeted at a high-value added market segment.”
Yves Martel, Chairman of Anarex, added: “I am delighted that the family business founded by my father in 1982 is joining another family Group that shares our strong values of balanced and sustainable development alongside our partners and has the same passion for exotic and ethnic products. Our product ranges and markets complement each other. There will be considerable synergies. I am proud to form part of the Group and, along with the whole Anarex team, to help drive Omer-Decugis & Cie’s development over the coming years.”
Anarex is widely known and respected for its expertise in the importation and distribution of exotic and ethnic fruit and vegetables and has built a reputation as a specialist in many products that are increasingly sought-after in France.
“The market for ethnic products is a specialist business that requires both technical knowledge of import and provenance systems across many countries and expertise in designing product ranges that meet the needs of knowledgeable and demanding consumers”, SIIM Sales Director Jean-François Vallet explained.
“With this acquisition we have consolidated our offering in the “ethnic” segment, a market where we aim to expand, building on our position in plantains, root vegetables, sweet potatoes and other more staple exotic products. Market-wise, the ethnic range has been developing since the mid-80s in France and Europe. It first emerged to serve ethnic minority communities established in Europe but is now attracting many new consumers in search of new flavours.”
The acquisition of all shares in Anarex SAS will be fully self-financed from Group cash. Current chairman Yves Martel will oversee the transfer of Anarex’s business. Anarex will be consolidated as of December 11, 2021.
Leave a Reply