France-based pork cooperative Fipso and German group Sauels have formed a joint venture to produce ham products from a new factory.

The JV facility is located in Brive-la-Gaillarde, south-west France and will trade under the name So’Ham. The plant is expected to enter service in April following an investment of EUR25m (US$27.4m) and the creation of 120 jobs. It will have a capacity of 10,000 tonnes a year.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Family-owned Sauels, based in Düsseldorf, supplies cooked ham for retailers’ private-label business in France. Fipso managing director Patrick Le Foll said the tie-up with a French-origin pork producer of similar size will strengthen its position on the national market. 

Fipso specialises in dry-cured ham products such as jambon de Bayonne and to date has not been active in the cooked ham segment, which accounts for one-third of pork consumption in France and where production is concentrated around several leading brands.
 
So’Ham is targeting an annual turnover of at least EUR50m in supplying “mid- to top-of-the-range products to private-label brands,” Le Foll added.

Fispo operates three production plants and employs 400 staff. It has an annual turnover of EUR170m.
 

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now