Lambert Dodard Chancereul (LDC), the France-based agri-food group, has appointed a new CEO at Pierre Martinet after concluding a takeover.
Benjamin Montlahuc, formerly in charge of AGIS, a subsidiary of LDC’s convenience food division, will now head up the family-owned salads and tabbouleh producer founded by chairman Pierre Martinet.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Martinet will remain board chair for a three-year period, LDC said in a statement revealing the closure of the deal first announced a year ago.
The financial terms of the transaction, which was approved by France’s competition regulator in April, have not been disclosed.
LDC said the acquisition allows it to have a presence across 70% of categories within supermarket and hypermarket convenience food departments, supported by a “strong new brand” to complement its existing Marie ready-meals line.
The Fermiers de Loué poultry brand owner added that Pierre Martinet “enhances” its convenience food offering with fresh salads and other plant-based recipes. Pierre Martinet owns its namesake brand, along with La Belle Henriette.
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 GlobalDataPhilippe Gélin, chairman of the management board of LDC, described the deal as a “pivotal transaction for the convenience food division, fully aligned with the 2026-2027 development plan”.
Pierre Martinet, with over 700 employees across five French sites, reported €231m ($260.5m) in revenue for 2024, according to the statement.
LDC director of the convenience food division, Christophe Guyony, said: “Following Marie in 2009, the acquisition of the Pierre Martinet Group marks another important step in the growth of the division, which now has a high-quality plant-based offering.
“With this new high-value asset, LDC now offers the most extensive range in the fresh convenience food aisle.”
The acquired group’s integration into LDC’s convenience food division accounts will commence on 1 June.
Chairman Martinet added: “I founded this brand, which has become iconic and dear to French consumers over nearly 60 years. Today, a new chapter begins, and it is now up to LDC to uphold the quality and excellence of the Pierre Martinet Group’s products for the benefit of all consumers.”
LDC reported revenue of €6.32bn for the 2024–2025 financial year, representing a 2% increase over the corresponding period. Its operating income declined by 14.2% to €317.6m. Net income rose 22% to €20.8m.
Other recent acquisitions by LDC included Groupe Routhiau, a meat and plant-based business in France, that was cleared by competition authorities late last year.
It also took a majority interest in Germany-based European Convenience Food (ECF Group), a retail and foodservice supplier, in 2024. And LDC acquired the Konspol Poland ready-meals brand and factory from agri-food giant Cargill.
