The cheesemaker, based in Repentigny, near Montreal, is now owned by Nutrinor and Capital croissance PME (CCPME).
The transaction is part of the cooperative's three-year investment plan.
Growth potential
Yves Girard, general manager of Nutrinor, said Fromagerie Champêtre has strong growth potential.
“We know that in order for us to grow, stepping up sales outside the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is critical. Fromagerie Champêtre offers an exceptional line of product," Girard said.
In addition to marketing the Organic Nordic line of dairy products, Nutrinor owns Fromagerie Perron and is set to expand its presence in the domestic fine cheeses market.
Fromagerie Champêtre produces such cheeses as Presqu'île, Tomme du Fleuve, Raclette Champêtre, and Le Bocké.
Luc Ménard, COO of Desjardins Capital régional et coopératif, which manages the CCPME fund, said the acquisition means Fromagerie Champêtre will remain a Québec-owned brand.
Ménard added the transaction – the second time Desjardins Capital régional et coopératif has supported a Nutrinor project – will also allow for the continued growth of a Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean coop.
About the companies
Nutrinor operates in four lines of business: agriculture, agrifood, energy, and hardware retailing. It is owned by its 965 members and has a workforce of more than 650. Sales for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2016 were C$342m.
Founded in 1996, Fromagerie Champêtre has more than 45 employees and annually processes more than 11m liters of milk.