Luxembourg: Grosbusch sees huge potential in neighbouring markets

Family business Grosbusch & fils is located in Luxembourg and over the years they have specialised in the import and distribution of fruit and vegetables. The company cater for different customers from small traders, restaurants, catering and hospitality companies to wholesalers and supermarkets. "Grosbusch focus on future innovations and play to market demand," said product manager Goy Grosbusch. "We are very active in Luxembourg, France and Germany."

Fourth generation
"The company was founded in 1917 by Pierre Grosbusch who ran a small herb business. His son, Marcel began in 1969 with the importation of fruit and vegetables to Luxembourg. Through this success and continued steady growth they had to move several times to larger premises. The third generation arrived in 1985 with André and René Grosbusch who are still the owners. In 2005 they built a new warehouse and this year expect to increase their capacity even further. In 2012 the fourth generation joined the business."

9% Annual growth
Goy explains that the average revenue growth is 9%. "In 2013 we sold around 18,000 tons of fruit and vegetables. Steady growth led to a turnover of 40 million Euro in 2013. We have 144 employees, 30 goods lorries and more than 1500 customers. In order to adequately respond to the needs of the customer we have 410 suppliers in more than 36 countries."

Wide assortment
The selection of products offered by Marcel Grosbusch & fils is very broad. "We have more than 400 products in our selection from all over the world; from the most mundane to the most unusual exotic fruit and vegetables. We also offer a wide selection of organic products since demand is growing for these sorts of products. The company's strategy is to always trade in fresh products and work as closely as possible with our suppliers. We also have our house brand 'Vitality', which has been developed to make our customers choice easier when they want high quality for a reasonable price." According to him they are true specialists in the fruit and vegetable sector. "Our focus is only fruit and vegetables and we believe delivering top service to be very important. Another thing our customers value from us is the flexibility we offer and tailored services. We can also offer custom made packaging in-house."

Other activities
Recently the company began another new activity, the preparation of ready to eat fruit, packaged by a team of 15 people for delivery to supermarkets and restaurants. "In addition we deliver fruit to offices, and companies who wish to provide healthy snacks in the workplace." Goy explained that Grosbusch also advise supermarkets on their category management and how to best present their fruit and vegetable departments.

Growing
The fourth generation, the son and daughter of René Grosbusch, Lynn and Goy Grosbusch started at the company in 2012. "We noticed how Grosbusch continued to grow so we decided to build a new warehouse three times the size of the present one." Grosbusch sees enormous potential through expansion into neighbouring countries. We try to stay as up-to-date as possible through innovation and adapting to customers needs. In order to maintain the dynamic atmosphere in the workplace we train up young people. Our new warehouse will help to maintain the present productivity levels and optimise our total capacity. An important goal for the future is to stay as close as possible to producers so we can guarantee freshness. Another new project is the planting of 50,000 apple trees next to our warehouse. The desire for 'own' produce has increased in Luxembourg in recent years and we wish to meet that demand and promote local production."

For more information:
Goy Grosbusch
Grosbusch & Fils
10-11 Zone d'Activités Economiques Le Triangle Vert
L-5691 Ellange - Luxembourg
+352 403 704 929
+352 621 484 203
goy@grosbusch.lu
www.grosbusch.lu