Frozen segment is the largest part of Greenyard Foods
Greenyard Foods consists of two divisions: frozen and conserves. In the frozen sector the company is known as Pinguin, in conserves as Noliko. The companies have been united under the name Greenyard Foods since 2013. For 2013/14 the company's turnover was 623,120 million Euro, 1.8 percent more than in the previous year. The frozen sector grew by 0.5 percent and the conserve division by 4.4 percent. In a constant exchange rate the turnover grew by 3.1 percent.
History
The history of the group starts in 1965 when the brothers André, Georges and Frans Dejonghe came into contact with a Dutch entrepreneur who froze spinach. The brothers built a small factory and started freezing vegetables that year. In the years that followed the company expanded, including the take over of companies in France and the United Kingdom, among others. In 1999 Pingiun goes to the fair. In 2009 the PinguinLutosa Food Group is founded. Two years later the group takes over the group Scana-Noliko, the conservatives division of the current group. In 2013 the potato division Lutosa is sold and the name is changed to Greenyard Foods.
Around two thirds of the total turnover is realised by the frozen division. Around 34 percent of the turnover is made from conserves. Worldwide the two divisions are at the top of the sector with a second place position in the market for frozen vegetables and a fifth place for conserves.
European production locations
Pinguin realised a turnover of 409.8 million Euro in 2013/14. The products from this part of the company are brought onto the market under the Pinguin label and other own brands. Pinguin supplies to the retail, food service and food industry amongst others. Pinguin includes thirteen factories and almost 1800 employees spread out over five countries. Belgium and Hungary each have one factory. Two locations can be found in England and three and four in France and Poland respectively. Pingiun exports to 92 countries.
Last year Greenyard Foods' real estate was extended with the purchase of production locations in England, France, Poland and Hungary which were previously rented. Greenyard Foods says these purchases will enable them to be able to invest more in the efficiency of these locations.
More than vegetables in cans or jars
The conserve segment isn't only focussed on the production of vegetables in cans and jars, but also produces ready made food like soups, sauces, dips and pasta dishes. Most of the products are supplied to consumers through supermarkets as A-brands or in commission of third parties. The company also supplies to the catering market and industrial kitchens and intermediate producers to other food companies. Noliko realised a turnover of 213.3 million Euro. This part of the company has two production locations and 680 employees. The products can be found in 14 markets due to export.
Both departments have their own sales network. The sales for the frozen division mainly go through the production locations to the local markets. In Brazil, a market which has shown large growth in recent years, Pinguin is represented by a sales office. Export to other countries is done through the office in Belgium. Most of the conserve sales are also done through this office. Neighbouring countries are the main markets for the conserve division.
Europe largest market
The turnover, divided by country and segment, gives an image of the main markets of Greenyard Foods. France takes the top position with a share of 23 percent, followed by the United Kingdom and the Benelux with 22 and 17 percent respectively of the consolidated turnover. Other large markets are Germany (13%), Eastern Europe (4%) and Latin America (3%). Of the products, 63 percent finds its way to the consumer through retail. The food service and food industry supply 21 and 16 percent of the turnover respectively.
61.7 million Euro was left in profit in 2013/14. This is entirely due to to discontinued operations, including the potato division that was sold. This amounted to a profit of over 65 million. With only the continued operations, Greenyard Foods would have made a loss of 3.5 million Euro.