OUTLOOK
Anticipating future challenges
The players involved in the first and second transformation of the agri-food sector have to deal with permanent structural changes affecting supply chains, the way consumers understand products and specifications in a French distribution market that is becoming more concentrated. These changes directly impact the development prospects of Episens, Malteries Soufflet and Cordier, and dictate their strategy.
ESTABLISHING PRODUCTION CHAINS FROM UPSTREAM TO DOWNSTREAM
In line with its core business, InVivo intends to continue its work to promote cereal and wine production, by adopting a systematic supply chain approach – particularly for wheat and barley – from production to processing to marketing. Controlling the agricultural supply chain in this way, mainly achieved through its cooperative partners, equips the three entities to meet the expectations of their industrial customers and indirectly those of other consumers in terms of food safety and reliability of available data and traceability, fair remuneration for stakeholders, particularly agricultural stakeholders, and regulatory development.
AIMING FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION TOOLS
Episens, Malteries Soufflet and the group's other subsidiaries have a large number of industrial sites, particularly in France. These local production facilities – which have to be valued as such – will need to see their productivity increased, their capacity reach saturation whenever possible and the quality of products improved to support and monitor market demand.
EXPORTING FRENCH KNOW-HOW TO NEW MARKETS
Now more than ever, the promotion of regions, terroirs and the France brand has to go beyond borders. The historic customer base border, with products being expanded to include artisan bakers, collective catering operators, industrial stakeholders and high-end distribution. The technical border with new ranges of products that have tasty, nutritional and innovative qualities. And the geographical border, with the aim of gaining market share internationally by promoting a particular kind of know-how, origin, consistency and the ability to deliver.