For Soup’idéale, this is a new approach aimed at strengthening its equity to finance its growth in a seasonal and capital-intensive business.
With the support of Léa Nature, Soup’idéale is upholding its ambition to increase the share of organic products it manufactures to over 50% by 2022, compared to 26% today.
Two manufacturers of organic products for Compagnie Léa Nature, Léa Nature and Ekibio, already work with Soup’idéale, and plan to work on new opportunities for diversification and increased expertise. Together, they share the objective of focusing on business development and privileging local or regional organic vegetable supply chains.
Under the expertise of its Managing Director, Philippe Ferellec, who was formerly a chef, Soup’idéale will be developing some new wholesome and innovative organic recipes.
Emphasis will also be placed on developing the company’s other activity, soups packaged in bottles or bowls.
This activity is namely targeted to the health sector, and is anchored in hospitals, clinics and specialized facilities such as EPAHDs (nursing homes), offering nutritional characteristics that are adapted to the special needs of this population.
Compagnie Léa Nature took a 35.9% stake in Soup’idéale through a capital increase, bringing company capital to €6,635,998 from €3,254,946.
FINORPA, a Soup’idéale partner since 2012, retains equity in the company.
Presentation of Soup’idéale
Soup’idéale was founded in Arras in 1962 and is managed by Eric DELCROIX and Jean-François LOUE.
This company is specialized in making soup, mainly for mass distribution. Soup’idéale is positioned on four markets: fresh soups in the refrigerated section, individual soup portions, soup cartons and soups for hospitals.
In 2018, the company achieved €16 million in sales, a 5% increase, and had nearly 50 employees.
Soup’idéale is the first soup production unit equipped with the Tetra Pack® technology, which preserves the organoleptic qualities of vegetables and offers recyclable packaging.
Located in the Artoipôle business park (between Feuchy and Monchy-le-Preux), Soup’idéale benefits from its location right at the heart of a fertile agricultural region.
It obtains its vegetables from about a hundred local producers in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
“We go from the raw vegetable to the finished product, which is the soup, and this is unique in Europe. We have two businesses, an agricultural one and an industrial one. We offer full traceability; we know where the vegetables in our soups come from. Superior taste is of utmost importance to us.”
Eric DELCROIX, Co-director of Soup’idéale (La Voix du Nord).
