Already present in part of the Grand-East region (in Charleville-Mézières and Reims), the Ribé network has officially announced its acquisition of the Heintz-ActisFrais activities on December 31st 2021, therefore continuing its regional expansion.
The 4 sites of Heintz-ActiFrais are located in Metz (social headquarters), Nancy, Colmar and Luxeuil-les-Bains. The Moselle-based company Heintz-Primeurs was created in 1961 by the Heintz family, before being acquired in 2000 by Jean-Paul Flaus, who had already managed it for several years. As for ActiFrais, the company was created in 1977 in Nancy (under the name Oliver Puig) and acquired by Jean-Paul Flaus in 2005. ActiFrais has a secondary site in Luxeuil-les-Bains, since the acquisition of a Franc-Comtois wholesaler (Hardy) in 2008.
Historical actor in the Grand-East region
Heintz-ActiFrais has been involved for a long time in the out-of-home catering distribution. The group has been a member of distribution networks for over 30 years. Since 2015, Heintz-ActiFrais has been one of the 17 cooperators of Vivalya, leading group of French independent fruit and vegetable wholesalers.
With its 80 employees, Heintz-ActiFrais achieved nearly 25 million euros [28.23 million USD] in revenue for 2020 from its 4 distribution sites. The group has established significant partnerships in production in France, Italy and Spain, especially with discounters that arrived in eastern France some 30 years ago. Heintz-ActiFrais also has its place on the MIN market of Metz to meet the demand for special products for retailers or the commercial catering industry.
Acquisition marked by continuity
“Proximity, commitment and local anchoring are strong values shared by both our groups,” explains Jérôme Lavaire, president of the Ribé network. This convergence has allowed the two groups to come together, and to accompany Jean-Paul Flaus for a few months after the acquisition was made official. The operation also makes a lot of sense at Vivalya, as it helps consolidate the market shares of the Ribé network in northeastern France and it ensures the durability of a major actor of the fruit and vegetable distribution (Heintz-ActiFrais), at the time when its director is going into retirement.
For more information:
Ribégroupe
ribegroupe.fr
