Campbell Soup Co. has sold French sauce business General Condimentaire (GECO) to edible oil maker Lesieur for an undisclosed sum.
The US-based soup giant announced the deal last night (31 July), a move that will see the company focus on its soup business in France.
Campbell has licensed the Lesieur name for sauce and mayonnaise products made and sold by GECO, a business that enjoys annual sales of US$70m.
Lesieur, a company indirectly held by Sofiproteol, the financial arm of the French oilseed producers, will take on a manufacturing facility based in Dunkerque.
A spokesman for Campbell said the business did not fit with the company’s focus on simple meals, snacks and healthy beverages.
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.
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“While Lesieur was a strong brand, it really did not fit Campbell’s European strategic focus,” the spokesman told just-food. “It was a licensed brand and we want to build our own brands and also it had a number three position on the mayonnaise market. We want to focus on brands that have a number one or number two market position.”
The deal, which is awaiting regulatory clearance, is expected to close within the next few months.