Lactalis, the French dairy business is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Triballat a France-based family-owned producer of protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses.
Founded in 1901 and based in Rians Triballat operates 17 production facilities including 14 in France, one in Spain and two in the US, employing 1,600 people. Specialising in goat’s cheese, faisselles cheeses and dairy desserts, the business produces the Rians brand along with PDO cheeses such as Époisses, Crottin de Chavignol and Selles-sur-Cher. Triballat generated annual revenue of €365m ($415.5m) last year, with around 30% derived from overseas markets.
The transaction remains subject to employee representation consultation processes and merger control regulatory approvals.
In a joint statement, chairman Hugues Triballat and his counterpart at Lactalis, Emmanuel Besnier, said: “Guided by the same vision of excellence, a deep attachment to our local roots and strong family values, we are convinced of the relevance of this transaction. We share the same ambition: to preserve a remarkable heritage while giving it the means to continue its development in France and internationally.”
Source: Just Food
