Inauguration of the Luçon cheese factory: Agrial reasserts its commitment to the backbone of the regions and strengthens its position in a growing mozzarella market

Agrial’s Dairy division markets mozzarella under the Maestrella and Cantadora brands, and under private label, to industry and catering sectors, in a market growing by 3% per year in France and abroad. This new site will enable the Co-operative to strengthen its position in the manufacturing of ingredient cheeses, supplementing its cheese factory in Herbignac (in the Pays de la Loire region). Herbignac provides for mass production and Luçon, which is more agile, allows us to respond to new customer expectations in terms of packaging and recipes, by offering smaller production series to target new markets.

The industrial process has been completely redefined to be at the cutting edge of technology, from the cheese workshop to packaging. The dairy plant maintained a partial activity during these 2 years of reconstruction, all in safety, priority of Agrial. Products are now certified by the IFS (International Featured Standard) and the BRC (British Retail Consortium), which are internationally recognised standards that ensure the quality and health and safety of food products sold under distributor labels. The new equipment also makes it possible to optimise energy consumption per kilo produced and to make external discharges more reliable.

The cheese factory employs 130 people. 60% of them have seen their positions evolve to ensure the management of new equipment and the operation of automated lines. New positions have been created around operational excellence and Luçon is currently recruiting maintenance technicians.

The reconstruction of the site benefited from the financial support of the Pays de la Loire region, as part of the recovery plan and from the insurance company’s coverage of the damage.

About Agrial

Agrial is a French agricultural and agri-food co-operative that provides daily support to its 12,000 farmer members in the northwest region of France and the Rhone Valley to develop and market their production. Relying on strong brands, the Group develops its agri-food activities in the dairy, fresh produce, beverage, and meat sectors. As a committed company, Agrial develops high-performing and responsible farming, offering consumers healthy, safe and tasty food.