VITAFRAIS chooses ORGANIC ALLIANCE to support their future development and to enable the exit of founding managers.
Founded in 2001 in Reims (51) by Frédéric Gruünblatt and Marlène Castan, visionary entrepreneurs with a passion for organic products, the VITAFRAIS group has become the leader in the distribution of 100% organic fresh and ultra-fresh products to specialised independent organic stores and networks: in 2015, the group supplied more than 1,250 stores throughout France. VITAFRAIS offers the widest range of products on the market- approximately 5,000 different items - of high-quality certified products from organic farms across the country. VITAFRAIS's offering combines nine own brands in all segments with high growth potential and a wide range of exclusive and non-exclusive brand products to meet the expectations of retailers and their customers. The VITAFRAIS group is the leader in its market segment in terms of innovation: across all product ranges, it launches nearly 300 new products a year in specialised organic retailing and out-of-home catering (Foodservice). 80% of the products sold are of French origin and particular attention is paid to products bearing labels such as AOP, IGP, Red Label, etc. or strongly linked to a terroir or a region.
VITAFRAIS's unique model enables the formation of privileged relationships with players in the organic sector and their long-standing suppliers, as well as support in the development of organic stores and daily service thanks to a flexible logistics organisation that guarantees optimal freshness of products. The group distributes its products throughout France from five outsourced logistics platforms based in Chilly-Mazarin, Brignais, Mions, Sancoins and Manosque.
VITAFRAIS has nearly 50 employees with a passion for organic farming and posted revenue of nearly €70 million in 2015, with regular, strong and continuous growth since its creation in 2001: 25% annual growth since 2001. In its last financial year, the group generated around 95% of its revenue in specialist organic distribution and 5% in Foodservice. VITAFRAIS has outperformed its resilient and very dynamic market, which has grown by more than 13% per year since 2001.
The acquisition of VITAFRAIS by ORGANIC ALLIANCE will enable the group to reach a new stage of its development in a context of consolidation and restructuring of the organic market. The strategic alliance of VITAFRAIS and PRONATURA within ORGANIC ALLIANCE will enable the emergence of a leader in the production and distribution of fresh and ultra-fresh organic products in France, serving specialists and consumers. The shareholders of ORGANIC ALLIANCE, Lionel Wolberg and NAXICAP PARTNERS anticipate strong growth in the business in the coming years, thanks in particular to a policy of sustained internal growth (launch of new products, deployment of new product ranges, etc.) and the implementation of synergies at the logistics level.
