Omer-Decugis & Cie, specialized in fresh and exotic fruit and vegetables, has announced the acquisition of the family-owned company Anarex, a wholesaler specialized in ethnic and exotic products and based on the International Market of Paris-Rungis since 1982.
In line with the strategic plan presented at the Group’s initial public offering last June, this acquisition aims to develop the wholesale offer by extending the sales area and accessing new outlets. The integration of Anarex will help the Group grab new opportunities to develop the specialty selection of the exotic and ethnic departments for supermarket customers addressed by SIIM and Bratigny clients, especially when it comes to plantain, root bananas and other tropical fruit and vegetables (saffron, Cytherea plums, peppers, kola nuts…).
According to Vincent Omer-Decugis, chairman and CEO of Omer-Decugis & Cie, “this first acquisition following the initial public offering reinforces our growth dynamic after a great year in 2021, marked by a 15% increase of our revenue. It is perfectly in line with the Group’s development strategy and it brings strong synergies within our two business segments, SIIM and Bratigny, on products from territories of strong interest for the Group, especially in Africa, and intended for a value-added market segment.”
“I am very happy to see the family business created in 1982 by my father integrate another family-owned group with common strong values of balanced and sustainable development with our partners and with the same passion for exotic and ethnic fruit,” claims Yves Martel, president of Anarex. “Our offers and markets are complementary and the synergies to be deployed are significant. The Anarex team is proud to integrate the Group and to contribute to the development of Omer-Decugis & Cie in the coming years.”
Anarex has 8 employees and a 5 “door” store in building D3. In 2021 (fiscal year ending on October 30th 2021), the company reported a revenue of 3.5 million euros [3.9 million USD] and EBITDA1 of 0.19 million euros [0.21 million USD]. With a recognized know-how and a reputation in the import and distribution of exotic and ethnic fruit and vegetables, Anarex has become a reputed specialist in many products gaining in popularity in France. “The market of ethnic products is a business for specialists which requires both technicality in the import from numerous countries and expertise in the construction of product ranges that meet the expectations of informed and demanding consumers,” explains Jean-François Vallet, sales director of SIIM. “With this acquisition, we will consolidate our offer on the ‘ethnic’ segment which we want to develop with plantain, root bananas, sweet potatoes and other exotic products of more common consumption. As for the market, the ethnic range has been developing since the mid-1980s in France and in Europe. Initially driven by established foreign communities, it now appeals to many consumers in search of new flavors.”
Anarex will be directly attached to Bratigny, bridgehead of the Group’s wholesale division. “This is a double opportunity for our wholesale division,” explains Boris Richeux, general director of Bratigny. “Our sales quarters will now have 21 ‘doors’ and 2 buildings (D3, and the historical D2). This extension will allow us to attract new clients, which constitutes an undeniable competitive advantage. In addition, we are going to expand our offer on the ethnic range, complementary to our exotic fruit offer, especially popular in the Ile-de-France region.”
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