E-Malt.com News article: Maltsters merge to strengthen global supply capability

Epis-Centre, the agricultural cooperative in the centre of France and owner of Malteries Franco-Suisses, expands in malting by acquiring shares of Boortmalt NV. The two companies have come to an agreement to join forces and become one of the major global European malt suppliers, under Boortmalt management with 500 000 T capacity in Belgium, France, Croatia and China. The company will further operate export silos in Antwerp (Samga & Sobelgra).

The merger will create a strong malting group with the following competitive advantages :

- A direct sourcing link to one of the main high quality barley growing areas in the centre of France and access via its Belgian operations to other European barley sources;
- Control of barley from field to breweries in order to offer full trace-ability and food safety standards through the Epis-centre know-how including new malting barley varieties testing;
- ISO certification of the plants, HACCP and GMP;
- Appreciated first rank supplier by most of the major international and regional brewers;
- Offering synergies between malt and barley trading;
- Proprietary large storage capacity and vessels loading facilities in Antwerp and on the Mediterranean shore, and mastered logistics with own rail cars fleet to best answer of customer demand.
- One of the most modern production facilities available with more than 50% of capacity built within the past five years with stainless steel state of the art technology according to customer requirement.
- Excellent financial position of both companies that would enable further development in order to improve global offer to key customers.

As worldwide beer consumption grows, mainly in South America, Asia and Eastern Europe, the ability to serve all customers with superior quality standards is a strong asset. Another key success factor for the industry is the efficient raw material supply chain from field to breweries. Hence Epis-Centre and Boortmalt NV , initiated talks and are now merging their complementary interests. The new malting Group will operate under the Boortmalt name with headquarters in Antwerp.

Epis-centre the ag-cooperative in the centre of France markets about 5 Mio tonnes of grains (cereals and oilseed) of which 2,5 Mio tonnes through its trading subsidiary Granit Negoce.
It purchased Malteries Franco-Suisses in 1994 and increased its malting capacity to 160 000 t /year lately. The fiscal year ending June 2003 showed a turnover of € 920 Mio, LT debt/total assets 45.8%, 1523 employees.

The Boortmalt group has a malting capacity of 240 000 t in Antwerp (with 2 GKV of 120 000 t due mid 2004), 55 000 t in Nova Gradiska - Croatia- and 45 000 t near Beijing, PRC.
It also owns and manages two export silo and vessel loading facilities (respectively 180.000 & 120.000 t) in Antwerp duly equipped to limit handling and reduce breakage to the lowest level in the industry. (Turnover € 77Mio, LT debt/equity 15.3%, 374 employees).


For further enquiries, please contact Epis-centre tre@episcentre.com , Malteries Franco-Suisses contact.mfs@malt-francosuisses.fr, or Boortmalt info@boortmalt.com


16 March, 2004