Cofigeo, the France-based food manufacturer, will halt production at half its factories next month, as it battles a “spectacular increase” in energy prices.

The company, which owns the William Saurin and Garbit brands, said it would pause output at four of its eight plants on 2 January.

Some 800 staff work at the sites but none would lose their jobs, the business insisted. Cofigeo employs 1,200 workers in total.

The manufacturer said its energy bill had risen ten-fold since the start of this year.

“Faced with this inflation, we have already made major efforts in terms of productivity and energy savings but, with an annual energy bill going from EUR4m (US$4.2m) to EUR40m, this decision has become inevitable to protect our company and its employees,” Cofigeo president Mathieu Thomazeau said. “We will continue to look for solutions internally and with our customers to restore our economic balance.”

Jobic de Calan, Cofigeo’s secretary general, confirmed to Just Food the company will halt production at its plant in Lagny-sur-Marne, east of Paris; at another further north in Pouilly-sur-Serre; and at two sites in the south of France in Camaret-sur-Aigues and Capdenac.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The factories manufacture French and Italian ready meals.

Just Food analysis, August 2022: Inflation outlook uncertain as food wrestles with consumer anxiety