STEF and Express Maree announce the signature of a memorandum of understanding to transfer 100% of Express Maree to STEF, effective from 2 July 2018. The agreement allows the STEF Group to expand its range of seafood services and strengthen its operational coverage in France.
Created in 1948, Express Maree specializes in seafood transport and logistics in France and internationally. This historic core business represents 75% of its activities. The company has 450 employees and nine platforms in France.
STEF has been involved in the sector in France and Europe for over 40 years. In 2017, the Group created a dedicated business unit for seafood products, STEF Seafood, to provide a more effective response to the market’s specialist requirements. The new unit has 700 employees and 17 platforms in France and Italy.
The new acquisition will allow the STEF Seafood network to offer its customers and SEAFOODWAYS partners a global coverage throughout France, now including the south-west of the country and Languedoc-Roussillon.
Michel Fons, Director of the STEF Group’s Seafood activities, comments: “The acquisition of STEF’s historic partner, Express Maree, is motivated by the complementary activities of our two companies and our staff. With this external growth, the STEF Group is reaffirming its growth strategy of specializing in the seafood products market. Sharing our best practices will provide our customers with unparalleled know-how. The move will also supplement our coverage in France and contribute to accelerating our development in this demanding market.”
Julien Raynaud, Managing Director of Express Maree, adds: “We are delighted to have the backing of a large group like STEF, with which we have been working closely for many years, particularly in the European seafood collection and distribution network, SEAFOODWAYS. This is a natural extension, which offers our customers guaranteed continuity of service and quality in a recognized European network.”
Julien Raynaud joins the Executive Committee of STEF Seafood as Operational Managing Director of Express Maree.
