Gilbert LEMELLE was founded in 1948 and specialises in the manufacture of cold cuts products for a traditional brewery kitchen. Today, it is the second largest French player in the production of andouilles and andouillettes.
Through its 2 operational companies AT France and RERO, GILBERT LEMELLE is providing the main hyperand supermarkets with its own brand and premium brand as well as those of the out-of-home catering sector. The Group has three IFS V6 approved sites with a combined production capacity of nearly 10,000 tonnes per year in Troyes (andouillettes de Troyes), Argenteuil (sausages, baked sausages, hams, etc.) and Plouay (andouille de Guémené).
In 2018, the Group posted revenue of more than €30 million with 220 employees spread over the three sites.
Dominique and Benoit LEMELLE, son of the founder of the eponymous group, entrusted the reins of the operation to ADVISO PARTNERS. Without family succession, the executives wanted to anticipate the transfer of the Group in order to ensure its development and secure its future. The transaction attracted the interest of several cooperative groups and private players.
The POPY project drew the attention of the shareholders of GILBERT LEMELLE. This acquisition enables POPY to consolidate its leading position in the andouille and andouillette market, to expand in the east of France and the Paris region and to strengthen its position in the hyper- and supermarkets segment.
With this transaction, POPY reaches €90 million in revenue and is pursuing its external growth strategy after the acquisition of AMAND-BIANIC. This transaction was, at the time, also advised by ADVISO PARTNERS.
